Wickford Is Ready For The WEDAB

Wickford said goodbye to an excellent store and neighbor this week. The Clean Bedroom store has decided to leave town and open up shop elsewhere. They have locations in seven other states and Manager Michael Earnheart explains, "We moved to better serve a new market." Other Wickford business owners who own stores elsewhere will admit their other locations perform better than in Wickford. Why is that?

There is a bright spot.... We have some excellent prospects considering some of our vacant spaces and that's exciting! We can't ignore though that some of our stores are at serious risk, and it's the sole proprietors who own small shops who are struggling the most. Some of the restaurants and businesses in town close early not because they want to, but because if they extend their hours, their overhead exceeds their income.

There are residents in Wickford who shudder at the thought of focusing attention on Wickford's economy. Some are concerned that an improved economy will bring more people, noise, and traffic to our beautiful, quiet village... This is understandable, but for the overall health of Wickford, balance needs to be restored between it's residential and business community.

Last April, town leaders finally demonstrated, when they hired Paige Bronk, North Kingstown's new Economic Development Manager, they understand that focusing on North Kingstown's economy is important, and that not only new development is needed, but the issues of business retention, loss prevention and filling vacancies is crucial.

And now there's hope for Wickford. On July 17, The North Kingstown Town Council approved the creation of the WEDAB, Wickford Economic Development Advisory Board.

It's part of the WEDAB's mission to create harmony, and a healthy balance between the residential and business community. Growth and change is never easy, and the WEDAB will strive to navigate a path that is for the greater good of the community. It will aim to forge a dynamic connection to the past and a prosperous future, so Wickford may blossom again into a place where all generations want to live, work, and visit.

Sincerely,
Ellen Waxman, Owner Five Main
WEDAB, Chair

WEDAB meetings are open to the public and the first one will be held at 5:30 on September 4th, 80 Boston Neck Road, Council Chamber Room, North Kingstown Town Hall