Independent retailers struggle on Wisconsin

On Nov. 29, the Citizens Association of Georgetown met with neighborhood residents to address the longstanding issue of fostering Wisconsin Avenue independent businesses, which have struggled to establish themselves in the area.
Anchored by Ward 2 Councilmember Jack Evans, Chairman of Western Development Herb Miller, and President of Asadoorian Retail Solutions John Asadoorian, the meeting shared visions of Wisconsin Avenue’s commercial development while responding to concerns about vacancies, numerous discount stores, and run-down buildings.
While M Street retail has thrived over the past 20 years, Wisconsin continues to struggle with a cluster of chains and quintessential small stores. At the meeting, Asadoorian addressed residents’ complaints about the lack of useful stores on Wisconsin.
“People living in a certain area have an idea of what they want … but the community doesn’t control the process,” Asadoorian said.
According to Asadoorian, new business proposals have yet to meet market demand. “Stores and restaurants that are more in keeping with what the consumers are looking for– I think that’s more relevant to the conversation,” Asadoorian said. “What’s missing is more independent retailers… as opposed to the bizarre shops that are selling all kinds of poorly-made suits.”
Randy Roffman, owner of an antique shop on O Street, noted that small businesses encounter various obstacles when managing their enterprises. “Rents are too high … [and] it makes it tough for independent merchants to get into a storefront,” he said. “Landlords need to not be looking to get one of those chain stores … and parking has always been a problem.”
Panelists at the meeting shared Roffman’s view on these challenges. However, Asadoorian noted that the problem is not as simple as it seems. According to him, while the community would benefit from leases to more desirable businesses, a significant number of those who manage “junky” stores also own their storefronts and have the power not respond to these concerns.
Another problem is with the relationships between landlords and their tenants. “Landlords don’t want to work with small businesses,” Georgetown Business Association Vice President Rokas Beresniovas said. When questioned about the quality of business in the area, Beresniovas said he thinks that “every business has its own story.”
While acknowledging the existence of high rents, Asadoorian asserts the need for businesses to increase sales. People who complain about rent “are complaining about a condition that exists because they’re not doing the business that supports the rents,” he said.
Beresniovas also noted the challenges that Georgetown businesses have been facing. “Georgetown is overall struggling just like everyone else in this country” Beresniovas said. “Georgetown is a hip area, but it is not immune to what’s happening.”
Evans addressed the need for change on Wisconsin and in Georgetown as a whole. “Now the private sector has to work with the city, with the property owners, so we can create something here … [that] can attract a better type of retail on the Avenue,” he said.