Tenants pleased with new locations in Perrywinkle's Plaza

By DAN HEATH
Staff Writer

May 04, 2008 04:00 am

— Perrywinkle's Plaza is blossoming, with two new tenants in place and landscaping work to be done during the next two weeks.
General Trading Company and Vermont Toy and Hobby both opened earlier this year.
Perrywinkle's Plaza owner Perry Sporn said it helps that both stores were well established, with a good customer base.
"We're always looking for the right fit. They are two of the better retailers in their market," he said.
Vermont Toy and Hobby has shown how to compete with big box stores, Sporn said, by offering a wide selection of unique, affordable and hand-made toys, games and hobby supplies.
"There's a business that could've been wiped out. They're a perfect example of how you can thrive next to them," he said.
Sporn said General Trading Company owner Susan Coffey has a tremendous business and clientele.
"Her business sells better products to a discriminating customer. The building itself has to make a distinction for her," he said.
Coffey said the old store closed at the end of January and the new store opened Feb. 9.
"The move took us a little longer than I thought to get everything situated," she said.
The store was at its Plattsburgh Plaza location for almost 16 years, Coffey said.
She said the landlords at Plattsburgh Plaza were great, but it just seemed like the time to make a move. Smithfield Boulevard is much more of a high-traffic area, Coffey said, and will be even more so when Target opens Oct. 12.
"Locals knew where Plattsburgh Plaza was, but this location is more visible to out-of-town visitors," she said. "There's been a really noticeable increase in traffic. I'm happy with it now that we're settled."
The large inventory provides a variety of color and bright visuals. The move allowed Coffey to add the Yankee Candle line to her inventory, which has been very popular, she said.
Another section of the store is dedicated to Vera Bradley handbags.
"They're so popular. We do really well with that line," Coffey said.
General Trading also carries the Brighton line, a collection of jewelry, belts, pocketbooks, eyewear and more.
"It's quite an extensive line," Coffey said.
Pandora charm bracelets are individualized, with the owner adding pieces as they go. The company also offers other jewelry, such as rings, earrings and necklaces.
The center of the store is dedicated to baby clothes and accessories, such as quilts, bibs, crib toys and more.
The front of the store is full of decorative housewares and home furnishings.
"We have a lot of tableware and dishware. You can buy sets or individual pieces," she said. "Glassware has been very popular."
The back half of the store is dedicated to clothing. Coffey said a lot of spring and summer clothing has recently been delivered and is now on display.
There is a gourmet food section, including a Godiva chocolate display case. Coffey said that line and Candy Man chocolates have been selling well.
Coffey also carries products from The Well Dressed Food Company, based in Tupper Lake. The company has been mentioned in The New York Times, Philadelphia Inquirer and Food and Wine magazine.
Coffey said she tries to buy from New York-based companies whenever possible. Skin-care products include The Naked Bee and Hannah's Botanicals. The latter allows its retailers to name the product, which allowed Coffey to choose the names Adirondack Sunshine, Valcour Winds and North Country Rain.
General Trading Company offers a bridal registry. Free gift-wrapping is also available.
Vermont Toy and Hobby moved from Champlain Centre to Perrywinkle's Plaza. The new store opened the Saturday before Easter.
Manager Ken Turner said when the owner told him Perry Sporn was building new retail space, he knew it would be high quality.
"This whole store is so nice. All you can see is color," he said.
As with General Trading, the front of the store is almost entirely windowed, which lets in a lot of natural light. The ceiling was left in an industrial style and painted black, with large hanging lights that add to the store's bright interior.
The sales counter and a children's play area feature what is described as a hanging cloud feature, a large white circular feature with recessed lighting. There is a G-gauge train that runs atop the feature, although it is presently out of commission.
The move presented Vermont Toy and Hobby, with two additional locations in Vermont, an opportunity to create a flagship store. It also provided a chance to expand, with about 1,400 square feet more space.
"More people are finding us every day. The feedback on our new location has been overwhelmingly positive," Turner said.
He said Vermont Toy and Hobby tries to focus on products that aren't readily available at larger retailers.
"We try to avoid head-to-head clashes," Turner said. "But, there is some overlap."
He said examples include Lego building blocks and the store's extensive selection of board games.
A large wall display of jigsaw puzzles dominates the store's back wall, with a variety of sizes and ability levels. There is a large section of model kits, with cars, trucks, aircraft and accessories.
Right next to that is a section of model train accessories, bordered by a large array of Estes model rockets.
Trivia games remain popular, with Trivial Pursuit and more focused examples, such as Caddyshack and the Rocky Horror Picture Show.
There is a display case of trading cards, including baseball, football, hockey, soccer, Pokemon and Magic: The Gathering. Below that is a large selection of yo-yos, right next to an extensive array of playing cards.
There is a large bin of discount toys and figurines in the center of the store. Several varieties of stuffed animals are available, including CuddleKins from Wild Republic.
"How often do you get to see a stuffed frilled lizard?" Turner said.
Webkinz are popular, Turner said, adoptable stuffed pets that come with a code that allows the owner to enter an interactive Web site.
"It's a very fun and safe Web site for kids," he said.
Turner said Vermont Toy and Hobby is a fun place to work, and he looks forward to coming to work every day. There aren't many grumpy people in a toy store, he said.
Joan Corrigan of Plattsburgh made her first visit to Vermont Toy and Hobby Wednesday. She said the store was very well organized and she found Turner very friendly.
"I came in for some toy trucks for my granddaughter," Corrigan said. "Then, when I came in, I saw the bubbles. We have a bubble machine at home, but no bubbles."
There is still work to be done at the plaza, Sporn said.
The property will be seeded this week and landscaped the week after. There are flower boxes along the sides and another near the roof in the center of the building still to be planted.
The long-term plan is to remodel the Blockbuster Plaza to the south, which he also owns, to make it look like the buildings at Perrywinkle's Plaza. That will have to wait until he has a tenant for the space between General Trading and Vermont Toy and Hobby.
Sporn said he is still searching for a high-end women's-wear store to take the space between General Trading Company and Vermont Toy and Hobby.
dheath@pressrepublican.com

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