BY CHARLOTTE HOFFMAN

Ever since the stock market crash in 2008, the U.S. economy has been in a downward spiral, and it seems as though the Larchmont economy has reflected that in the past few years. With the added competition of large corporations and the unbeatable prices of the internet, the big question remains: how can independent businesses thrive in the Larchmont economy?

Recently, local stores have begun to explore new techniques that surpass just marketing a product. Independent shops such as Pink on Palmer and The Voracious Reader have adopted new ways to attract business. For example, Pink on Palmer widened its selection of merchandise from solely cosmetics to include other accessories. The Voracious Reader, a bookstore on Palmer Avenue, has expanded and opened a tea shop next door, so town members can enjoy newly purchased books over a cup of tea.

Francine Lucidon, the owner of The Voracious Reader, has given this process much thought. “You have to have a vision of what you want your store to be,” she said. “Just like a person has to find out who they are, so does a store.” For Lucidon, hosting lots of events targeted to different groups, such as teens, mothers and toddlers helped keep her business going.

Similarly to Lucidon’s decision to open a tea shop and extend her business, Ellie Dimondstein, the owner of Love by Bella Fiora, also on Palmer Avenue, recently opened a shoe store next door.

Other storeowners, including Lee Rubin, the owner of Wendy Gee’s, have noticed that customers are less impulsive when making a purchase ever since the economic downturn. “Now I think they take a little bit more time,” Rubin said, noting that some people may leave to think about a purchase before returning.

On the bright side, new stores have been opening more recently in the town of Larchmont. One example of this turnaround is the new cupcake store, Sweet and Social, which just opened on Palmer Avenue. Run by Larchmont resident Beth Feldman, the store is enjoying a steady stream of customers attracted not only by the cupcakes, but also by the stores’ cheery atmosphere.

After a rough past year, things in Larchmont’s town are beginning to look up. And with more stores opening and old stores developing innovative ways to keep their customers, there is hope that the Larchmont economy will return to the prosperous ways of its past.