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As Norwood Center continues its revitalization process, new businesses opening in the area hope to enhance the downtown experience for residents.
“The best thing about being in Norwood Center is the opportunity it brings,” said Joe Fisher, local manager at True Value in Norwood, which opened this past August. “There is a lot of opportunity [for businesses to grow] in the downtown area of Norwood. I’d like our store to be a great stepping stone toward the revitalizing of the downtown.”
According to Fisher, the location of the store has been advantageous for business, as he says foot traffic brings in customers. Still, he acknowledges there are challenges given the type of business he runs.
“People have come in from running their errands, leaving the bank, things like that,” Fisher said. “For a brand-new store, we are doing pretty well, though this time of year there is a lull that we anticipate will pick up again when the weather warms up. It might take a similar retail store near us that complements us to really drive more people to stop in.”
There is a vast range of retail in the downtown area ranging from restaurants, entertainment facilities and specialty stores. Phillipe Chelala, who with his wife co-owns Chelala Jewelry & Gifts, says his store has received positive feedback since its opening in 2014.
“We have been delighted by the response of the people of Norwood,” Chelala said. “[Customers] have been supportive, and we feel confident about the future.”
While Chelala emphasizes his satisfaction with the store’s location, he says some there have been a few minor drawbacks. Chelala, who also co-owns Keystone Jewelry & Gifts in the Walpole Mall, says the tax rate has increased since opening the store; this comes after both residential and commercial property values in town were reassessed last year.
“The property taxes did seem about 10 percent higher than Walpole’s,” Chelala said.
One other issue Chelala noted is with parking, which he says could potentially be solved by assigning a spot or two to each store. However, he stated parking concerns have not been great enough to affect business.
“Parking has certainly been an issue our customers have brought up,” Chelala said. “However, our customers can use the big parking lot behind our store.”
It’s not only retail establishments that are opening up downtown. Pastor Steven Hathaway of the Heritage Baptist Church, which opened in its new location on Washington Street last July, said he feels his church has found its long-term location in Norwood Center after a number of moves over the past decade.
“Our church was started by another church in 2004,” Pastor Hathaway said. “We began in the high school, then moved to Walpole Street, and then Vanderbilt Avenue. We have always been a Norwood church, so it was a natural transition for us.”
Hathaway said this location is ideal due to its accessibility, and that staying in Norwood was the right decision for the church because the town has a strong sense of community.
“This is a perfect location for our church since we are right in the middle of town and it is easy for people to get to us,” Pastor Hathaway said. “Beyond that, the people of Norwood are super friendly, and we are happy to be part of the community. We are thankful to be here.”
Stores and organizations may not be arriving as quick as some may like, but it does seem that Norwood Center is turning a corner towards offering the community some great incentives to visit downtown.
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