Still going strong in downtown Leesburg
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In light of the recent barrage of news stories about downtown Leesburg and the closing of a handful of businesses, we (the businesses of downtown) felt a need to respond.
Several businesses -- professional, retail and food service -- have been in operation for five years or longer and are still going strong. Did you know that Photoworks has been servicing clients in downtown Leesburg for 30 years, Leesburg Vintner for 20 years, and Otter Creek and Black Shutter Antiques for 10 years?
The Thomas Birkby House, The Norris House Inn, Leesburg Hobbies and Collectibles, Boodleby’s (posh frocks and lollipops), Petite Dekor, The Resourceful Woman, Gleedsville Art Gallery, Creme de la Creme, Rouge Spa Apothecary, Esoterica, Caulkins Jewelers, Leesburg Antique Emporium, The Four Shabby Chicks, Medlin Art Gallery, Loudoun Street Café, Puccio’s New York Deli, The Lightfoot Bakery, The Lightfoot Restaurant, Tuscarora Mill, South Street Under, GG Café, La Chocita Gill, The Home Specialty Shop, Molly Sprocket Antiques, Mom’s Apple Pie, Eyetopia Inc., Galletta’s Pasta and Italian Specialties Inc., China King, Doggie Do Right and Plum Grove Cyclery have been serving downtown Leesburg for five years or more.
This list does not include many up-and-coming businesses less than five years old but going strong such as Madisonbelle, The Cottage, The Pink Shop and Very Virginia Shop, I Do Wedding Essentials, All Day Skate Shop, Thai Royal, Old Country Peddler, Fireworks Pizza, Jasmine Chinese Cuisine, The Other Kind of Jewelry Store and Aylesbury Tea Room and Antiques.
We all cater to a loyal clientèle that may vary from business to business, and we enjoy the patronage of visitors from the greater Washington metro area, seasonal tourists and a host of international shoppers.
Throughout the history of small business enterprises, 80 percent of them fail in their first year due to a variety of issues. It seems especially noticeable when it happens in a downtown area like Leesburg, rather than a big mall. It's because we run our businesses in charming historic buildings, rather than in a chain of generic storefronts.
We want to make sure that the public clearly understands that even town center lookalikes have their share of businesses coming and going. Lansdowne Town Center is very young and has had several shops close as has Potomac Station, Battlefield and a host of other area shopping centers. That is the unfortunate facts of starting up a small business anywhere.
The true fact is there are many more businesses thriving and working hard in downtown Leesburg than there are closings, so be sure to remember the army of businesses that are still going strong in downtown Leesburg.
We need to thank the Town of Leesburg for its efforts to keep the historic district safe and attractive. We hope the town will continue with these projects. The Leesburg Police Department also deserves praise for responding promptly when called. Also, kudos to the Loudoun Convention and Visitors Association for its continued support and efforts.
We'd also like to thank the and stakeholders that volunteer their time and energy to the continued improvement of downtown and our historic fabric. We thank all the merchants who go the extra mile for every customer and who kindly refer customers to fellow businesses. And, of course, we thank all our customers.
If you are staying closer to home these days, please come downtown and shop, dine or just see the sights. Attend First Friday or the Bluemont concerts on the courthouse lawn on Sunday nights, or Acoustic on the Green concerts on the Town Green on Saturday nights, or just bring your dog downtown for a walk.
The writer is president of Eyetopia Inc., and the former president of the Leesburg Downtown Business Association.
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