The Ridgewood Blog Brings a Free Market Laissez-faire Point of View to Local, New Jersey State and National Issues.
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Ridgewood NJ, brick-and-mortar stores have been grappling with significant challenges over the past decade. The COVID-19 pandemic and the meteoric rise of e-commerce have severely impacted traditional retail, leading to widespread closures. This phenomenon, often referred to as the “retail apocalypse,” has dramatically reshaped the commercial landscape since it began around 2010.
Continue reading The Retail Apocalypse: Ridgewood’s Battle with Store Closures
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Ridgewood NJ, a recently published report details Apple CEO Tim Cook’s efforts to establish strong relationships between Apple and the Chinese government. Cook repeatedly visited China in the mid-2010s, signing a five-year $275 billion deal in 2016 to mitigate regulatory action by the Chinese government. The deal involved Apple helping develop technology in the country and also investing billions of dollars into building new retail stores, research and development centers, and renewable energy projects. Cook’s work is likely the reason the company has been so successful in China.
photo by ArtChick
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Ridgewod NJ, On June 15, 2020, the “Welcome Back to Ridgewood” event will begin. All retail businesses will be able to place their products on tables outside of their business (once they obtain a permit from the Village). All food places will be permitted to have outdoor dining (once they obtain a permit from the Village). Food will also still be available for pickup at the dining establishments. Beginning on June 20, 2020, every Saturday through Sunday at 10:00 p.m., the Central Business District from North Walnut Street to Broad Street will be closed to vehicular traffic along East Ridgewood Avenue, including the side streets of Oak Street, Prospect Street, and Chestnut Street, which will create a pedestrian mall. The retail businesses and outdoor dining in this area will be moved into the streets. Pedestrians will walk on the sidewalks in one direction (the same direction as vehicular traffic-arrows are painted on the sidewalks as a reminder) in order to maintain social distancing (with white painted dots placed 6 feet apart). All of our businesses and restaurants have signed a pledge to adhere to the CDC guidelines, so customers can shop and dine with confidence in Ridgewood’s Central Business District. Masks are strongly encouraged at this event and are always required to enter any businesses.
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Ridgewood NJ, As part of New Jersey’s Road Back, Governor Phil Murphy today signed Executive Order No. 142, permitting the resumption of non-essential construction, curbside pickup at non-essential retail businesses, and car gatherings for the purpose of drive-through and drive-in events. The construction and non-essential retail provisions will take effect at 6:00 a.m. on Monday, May 18, while the car gatherings provision will take effect immediately.
