SPECIAL REPORT: Carpe diem time for Marco businesses

Photo by QUENTIN ROUX, Staff

Sandra Daoud of Harbor Goldsmith at Marco Walk multi-tasks at the store, which is to be re-named Richard's Reef after owner Richard Allen, who also has a store on Front Street. Allen is one local retailer who believes business is rebounding.

This is carpe diem (seize the day) time for Marco Island’s economy. From retail to restaurants, from nightlife to fun in the sun, from rentals to real estate and clothing to haircuts, the island’s business community is counting customers and watching the calendar.

As we move from Thanksgiving to gift giving and on into high season, our local producers and purveyors are looking for some bright spots on the horizon.

The good news is, some already are seeing positive signs.

One of those is Richard Allan, who with his wife Andrea is having a very good season so far at their Harbor Goldsmith store at Marco Walk called Richard’s Reef.

“Business was up in October more than 30 percent over last year and I think we’ve done even better for November,” Richard says. “Consumer spending is careful but I believe some people are tired of being that way and there are some impulse buys going on.”

Richard also has focused on alternative and affordable metals for jewelry because the price of gold has skyrocketed in recent months.

“It’s no secret that the past summer was rocky for most businesses on Marco and many threw in the towel and closed their doors forever. Andrea and I knew we had to adapt or die and we have done that and prospered. It’s going to be an awesome season.”

Another Marco entrepreneur with long experience in the island’s economic ups and downs is Judy Barney, co-owner of Arturo’s Italian Restaurant on Bald Eagle Drive.

“I think we’re going to have a good season,” Judy says. “The last few years people came down late, partly because of the hurricanes. Many waited until November to come. But this year we saw a lot of people back in mid-October, so we’re hopeful for a busy, normal season.”

Judy Barney also recently opened a retail outlet designed to appeal to customers during a down economy. It’s “2wice As Nice,” a boutique on South Collier Blvd. offering pre-owned often high-end women’s clothing.

“We’ve been open a month and are getting tremendous feedback.” Judy also says the economy calls for such a store.

“We’re careful what we bring in to sell. It’s not all brand new but some is. People bring in things they no longer want or need and we sell it for them. Some women have over-shopped through the years so we have many items with store tags still on them. We’re focusing right now on clothing women can wear for their various holiday events.”

A keen observer of the local business scene is Gary Elliott, owner of Interiors Interiors Interiors and a former president of the Chamber of Commerce.

“For me the season will be great if we get an increasing amount of tourism to support the businesses on the island. It’s been rough on the local businesses the past four years but we are all optimistic this season will be better.

“We’ve been saying that for four years and each season has not been as good as we hoped. Hopefully this is the season that starts an upswing in the local economy.”

At Island Trends, the clothing and accessories store on North Collier Boulevard, owner Skip Chustz is optimistic for his business outlook and hopeful that other island retailers will do well as well.

“We have a lot of empty commercial space but if some new businesses can start up and fill those shops it will help us all.

“On Marco, our October was slow, but we’ve seen an increase for November. We’re working to improve customer service and trying to deliver more value working with suppliers to get as good a deal as we can for our customers.

Chustz also is enjoying a healthy online business, gaining customers around the country and abroad.

“Our Internet business had a 30 percent increase around Thanksgiving. Our biggest zip codes for sales now are in California and North Carolina.”

So off-island revenue increasingly can bolster locally based businesses.

Marco islanders are well aware of the positive impact of attracting tourists and snowbirds from other countries. The presence of Canadians, Britons, Germans and others means a lot to our economy.

And what happens locally has other international components, including one company on Marco that contributes to the local economy by having 12 employees here. But Taray International Corp. does not depend on local economic conditions for its existence.

The firm has customers in 70 foreign countries for its variety of industrial products, including tires, retreading equipment and a lot more.

Its owner is a prominent islander, Tarik Asayun. He knows that the American economy is related closely to the world economy, so how the U.S. dollar’s value in Beijing or Belfast indirectly can affect its value to Marco Islanders in various ways.

“Our European customers are taking advantage of the low value of the U.S. dollar and are placing large orders; however they have been telling us that other than France and Germany, there is not too much improvement in the economies of other European countries.”

The world is a smaller place these days and so it sure doesn’t hurt Marco to be home to an international firm.

In part two of this report, you’ll hear the frank, insightful views of a veteran Marco Island Realtor whose tales include some bright spots in the real estate market and on the flip side, a “house from hell” scenario that can hurt property values in a Marco neighborhood.

Also, a one-man pool service owner points out a result of the national recession that can have a positive impact on Marco’s economy in high season.