As the summer reaches further into the season, many families are on vacation while Voorhees business owners are doing their best to attract customers during the slowest season of the year.
“The summer months are less brisk than after Labor Day,” said Mike Marchitto, director of economic development and township liaison to the Voorhees Business Association.
There are 1,560 businesses in Voorhees, and the numbers, even during the summer, continue to grow. It’s the consumer traffic that has slowed, he said.
“That’s not to say businesses are doing horribly,” he said.
Nimit Palace, an authentic Indian food restaurant, recently opened on White Horse Avenue and Gibbsboro Road. Bar.B.Q Tonite, an Indian-Pakistani restaurant and hookah lounge, opened on White Horse Road.
“We have been very lucky. We have a lot of new businesses coming to town,” Marchitto said.
Two new hotels with “unnamed” restaurants, and one with a banquet facility, a 7-Eleven on Route 73 and Cooper Road, a yogurt shop in Eagle Plaza and more are coming to town, Marchitto said.
While vacancies are being filled and new businesses are popping up, customers are not as frequent during the summer and the “staycation” has been less frequent as the economy slowly picks up, he said.
“Summer is always a struggle because kids are away and parents go on vacation,” said Alan Cohen, Voorhees Business Association chairperson and owner of the Tutoring Club. “Everything is a little quieter in town.”
According to Cohen, business owners are doing their best to keep up with the sluggish season, announcing special promotions. Some restaurant owners are using outdoor seating to attract customers.
Cohen said the economy has not reached its full potential, but there are signs of improvement.
He said he has noticed more activity in the Voorhees housing market in the past six months, attracting new families and more prospective customers.
“It’s definitely not all the way back,” he said. “But I have sensed that people are in a better position now than they were a couple of years ago.”
He said the school system, local activities and geography play a large role in attracting people to live in Voorhees. The summertime activities also give businesses a bit of a boost.
Marchitto said the Summer Twilight concert series allows people to bring food and non-alcoholic drinks to the shows. Most of them will likely visit local businesses.
The farmers market at the Voorhees Town Center is another way people see what Voorhees has to offer, as vendors are set up along “Restaurant Row.”
“It’s another great way to keep business flowing in town,” Marchitto said.
The VBA’s monthly luncheons are also helping local business. Members dine at restaurants in town to help them become acquainted with other businesses.
Cohen said on Aug. 21 the VBA is hosting a luncheon at Elena Wu. Previously, the group met at The Mansion in Voorhees and hosted Christmas in July on July 24 at Main Street Pub.
He said the VBA is trying to get “the business people out in the community.”
Cohen said business would pick back up by the last two weeks of August when the students return for sports practices and other school activities.
The end of the summer and beginning of school are more than a month from now, and businesses will continue to attract customers during the slow season.
“It’s just the nature of the beast when you live here and when you have the Shore that plays into other uses,” Marchitto said. “The business climate is changing, and we are looking forward to having even more businesses that are online and ready to open up.”
