(Google Maps)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\nIn suburban towns and small cities, that reset often meant residents doubling down on their support for local businesses. <\/p>\n
The result: vibrant commercial corridors filled with mom-and-pop shops, family-run restaurants, and independent retailers. In turn, the town has fueled a real estate market that increasingly values these walkable, tight-knit downtowns.<\/p>\n
Living local<\/h2>\n
In Ridgewood and surrounding towns across Northern and Central New Jersey, that preference has become clear in buyer behavior. <\/p>\n
Mahon routinely sees clients willing to sacrifice features like square footage or larger lots in order to live closer to a vibrant commercial center. In some cases, that demand even translates into higher property values.<\/p>\n
\u201cIn Chatham, for example, homes in Chatham Borough\u2014which tend to be smaller and on tighter lots\u2014often sell for significantly more per square foot than homes in nearby Chatham Township,\u201d Mahon explains.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe Borough is closer to downtown shops and transit, and that\u2019s something buyers are absolutely willing to pay for.\u201d<\/p>\n
What these buyers are often looking for is variety and authenticity. Chains may offer consistency, but they can\u2019t replicate the character that local businesses bring. <\/p>\n
In towns where Main Streets are filled with unique coffee shops, artisan bakeries, and boutique stores, that diversity becomes part of the appeal.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere\u2019s a strong \u2018support local\u2019 mindset in many of these communities,\u201d Mahon says. \u201cPeople are drawn to towns with personality. That energy comes from small businesses that are truly connected to the neighborhood.\u201d<\/p>\n
But the flip side is also true. A downtown with too many quick-service chains and not enough variety can quickly lose its appeal. Buyers frequently mention feeling turned off by commercial districts that lack independent dining options or specialty shops.<\/p>\n
Most residents still appreciate having larger chains available\u2014but not necessarily in the heart of their downtown. Instead, the expectation is that big-box stores or drive-thrus be situated on the outskirts, while the town center remains focused on small-scale, community-centered businesses.<\/p>\n
Of course, thriving as a small retailer is no easy feat. High rents, limited foot traffic, and growing competition from online shopping present ongoing challenges.<\/p>\n
However, Mahon believes that businesses succeed when they stay engaged and adaptable.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe biggest mistake a small business can make is assuming people will come just because they opened their doors,\u201d she says. \u201cRetail doesn\u2019t work that way anymore. Success comes from offering something memorable and giving people a reason to show up.\u201d<\/p>\n
As Chair of the Retail Advisory Board in Westfield, NJ, Mahon works directly with local business owners, offering free consulting and community insights. She\u2019s found that those who make the most of that support tend to become the most successful.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe owners who thrive are constantly looking for ways to improve their store, their service, their relationship with the community,\u201d she says. \u201cThere is an opportunity here. Residents want to support local\u2014they just need a reason to choose you.\u201d<\/p>\n
That symbiotic relationship between real estate and small business is becoming more evident to buyers who care as much about Saturday morning coffee and weekend farmers markets as they do about granite countertops or finished basements.<\/p>\n
The walkability and culture of a town\u2019s Main Street can be a deciding factor in a home search.<\/p>\n
In today\u2019s market, where lifestyle weighs just as heavily as location, towns that invest in their local economies may find themselves at a distinct advantage.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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