Letter to the Editor: Off-Season Ghost Town

Dear Editor,

I understand that business gets slow here during the colder months as tourism slows, and I get that many shops are undergoing cleaning and renovation in preparation for our busy season.  I also empathize with the business owners themselves who, steeling themselves for the long, busy summer days, are happily vacationing while they still can.  But honestly... how can it be that EVERYTHING closes at the same time?  Do you all meet and schedule this in secret, planning to abandon the busy parts of the island to vacation in the Bahamas together, leaving the local employees and would-be tourists literally out in the cold?

I can't help but wonder - is this not a self-fulfilling prophecy?  Island shop owners see slow business and close to save money.  But if you're closed, how can you get any business?  Isn't some better than nothing at all?  Do you really put all of your eggs in that brief June to September basket?  Some of us ARE still here during those lonely off-season months... and we'd love to drop in and spend some money, if you'd just let us.

While I had plans that day to interview a local business owner, pop in and see a friend at work, and then sit in with my trusty laptop to write up another Patch article, my sunny day in Edgartown was ruined - the business owner was on vacation, my friend's shop closed til Wednesday, and Espresso Love was in the middle of a three week renovation.  Edgartown Main Street, which is near impossible to even find parking during the high season, let alone find a table at a restaurant - has become a complete ghost town.  And wasn't there a certain shop which, just last year was begging the MVC for their liquor license, on the grounds that they are one of the small number of shops open year-round?  So much for that, I suppose, as they're on a long hiatus as well.  I won't name names, but all you have to do is drive around and see all the Closed signs for yourselves.

So how do I survive the winter?  Finding the very FEW stores that can rightfully call themselves year-round, and patronizing generously.  Big shopping trips to Stop n Shop, a pair of binoculars to see the birds at the feeders, and just waiting.  Lots and lots of waiting.

Sincerely,

Maggie Dempsey

March 13, 2012