by Lindsay Mosberg
Irvington should not allow chain restaurants. Irvington has many unique “mom and pop” businesses which contribute to the culture and “community feel” of this small village.
Many small business in Irvington try to get to know its shoppers by name. Whether it’s the owners of the individual restaurants or the cashier who recognizes your face, the personal attention that comes with a small business cannot be duplicated in a chain restaurant.
If Irvington allows chain restaurants, it will have the identical look of every “Dunkin” or “Starbucks” instead of the unique quaint feel and design that an individual restaurant owner would provide.
If chain restaurants were allowed in Irvington, it would also threaten the success of other smaller businesses and possibly force them to close. Chain restaurants are enjoyed throughout the country because they have low prices for their food. However these chain restaurants rarely pay people decent wages and their quality of food is low because they look to save every penny in order to make the biggest profit.
It is difficult for a small restaurant owner who wants to pay his employees decent wages and buys quality food at a premium to compete with the low prices of chain restaurants. The cheaper prices of the chain restaurants will attract customers and will force the other small owned restaurants to close because of lack of business.
Local small businesses are the way to keep Irvington’s community intact. Individual restaurants care about the people in their Village and want to please them. They get involved with the community whether it is through donations or fundraising efforts and become part of the Village.
