Main Street Businesses Shift from Retail to Services in U.S. Towns

Why it matters locally: New York's key industries, particularly those relying on local commerce, are likely experiencing similar shifts from retail to service-based businesses, impacting commercial real estate and local employment trends across the state.

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RIDGEDWOOD, N.J. -- American Main Streets are seeing a marked change in the types of businesses operating from storefronts. Consumer purchasing patterns are contributing to this evolution, favoring service establishments over traditional retail outlets. Gyms, hair salons, and various dessert shops now frequently occupy prime commercial locations. For example, downtown Ridgewood, N.J., shows a concentration of dessert businesses, including MilkShake Factory, Maroons Creamery, and Hey Yogurt. This trend represents a broader economic adjustment. Businesses providing experiences or personal services are expanding their presence in commercial areas that once primarily housed merchandise retailers. This shift reflects an ongoing adaptation within local economies to evolving consumer demand.