Garrett chats with local businesses about economy

 

Frank's Tackle owner Robert Danza (left) talks with Congressman Scott Garrett (R-5)
about how the economy is treating his business.
Garrett embarked on a two-day tour of small businesses in four counties
to explore the economy's impact on small commerce.

Rep. Scott Garrett (R-5) visited local small businesses within his district to explore the current economy's impact on small commerce.

On Oct. 19 and 20, Garrett dropped by seven businesses and one Chamber of Commerce meeting in four counties of the state's fifth district. Included were Frank's Tackle and Sports Shop in Wanaque and DeMarco's Pizzeria and Restaurant in West Milford, both visited by the congressman on Oct. 19.

Garrett said that his office occasionally does "proactive" tours of businesses and sometimes businesses invite him to speak with employees about concerns.

One of the overarching themes Garrett said he noticed while visiting businesses is that "there's a sense of uncertainty by customers."

"The customers are not buying as much as they used to be buying. They ask me 'Why do you think that is?'" Garrett said. "I said it's because either they don't have a job right now, or they're worried with 9 percent (national) unemployment that they may not have a job, or somebody in their family may not have a job."

The majority of jobs are created by small businesses, Garrett said.

On his tour, the congressman had friendly chats with local store owners. Robert Danza, a seven-year owner of Frank's Tackle, admitted to Garrett that his business has been struggling "like everyone else." The majority of Frank's Tackle customers come from Sussex, Passaic, and Bergen counties.

"I can't believe how many customers come in the door and tell me they've been laid off," Danza told Garrett.

In an interview with the Suburban Trends, Danza said small businesses have an advantage over conglomerates in that small businesses are in better touch with their customers.

"You get these big businesses, these suit guys that make decisions – they don't know what it's like to be a person," Danza said. "They're rich themselves. To them it's about the stock number. Here, you see a guy come in and he can't spend money on something because he lost his job. We see it one on one, whereas big businesses don't."

Lou Muto, owner of DeMarco's Pizzeria and Restaurant for 34 years, chatted with Garrett for 45 minutes. During that time, the two talked about strengthening the U.S. Constitution, fluctuating food costs, and "good pizza and good food," Muto said.

"It's kind of flattering," Muto said about Garrett's visit. "There are a thousand places he could have gone to, and he came to me."

According to Muto, the economy is "devastating small businesses."

"The larger corporations can absorb an impact like this, whereas small business resources are less," Muto said. "They (small businesses) have to keep their finances tight and keep the quality (of products and services) up to retain business and have customers come back."

The website for Frank's Tackle is frankstacklesportshop.com. The website for DeMarco's Pizza and Restaurant is demarcospizza.net.