Research Interview: Jim Fahy

Interviewee:    Jim Fahy, manager of the Rusty Heart, a unique gift shop on High Street in Millville’s Glasstown Arts District.

About the Rusty Heart:  The Rusty Heart has been open for 9 or 10 years and is one of the stores that has been there the longest. Former employee Janice Morey describes it as a “unique gift shop” that carries everything from collectibles and greeting cards to antiques. Both Jim Fahy and Janice Morey admitted that the shop and its related locations, have been hit hard by the poor economy. One such location is the Secret Garden, a beautifully landscaped enclosed garden accessible from the back door of the store, which had to be closed because of the economic stress. However, both Jim and Janice remain hopeful that the economy will pick up. Third Fridays, especially, are good for the store’s financial well-being. According to Janice Morey, there are at least 20 people in the shop at all times during most Third Friday evenings.

Note about Interviewing Methods: I did not use a tape recorder for my interviews, I only took notes on key ideas and phrases. I don’t claim these answers to be direct quotes from the interviewee, unless I specifically put quotation marks around a phrase.

 

KW: What makes a business successful in an arts district?

JF: What makes any business successful, to “welcome people [with] a happy face.” “Smile.” Also, selling a “quality product at a fair price.” The Rusty Heart discounts regular products at 50% and Christmas at 75%. Let people know about sales when they walk in. Make them feel welcome and let them know they’re going to be taken care of.

KW: This probably overlaps with the previous question, but what advice would you give to other businesses considering opening in this arts district?

JF: Besides welcoming customers with a smile, keep in mind that it is a small business community. We typically “do as much business Third Friday as we do in a whole month.” In any small business community, unity is important. People work together to plan events. The nice restaurants help entertain people. The “Arts District brings people in, but they need a destination.” Advertising is also important. For example, this time of year Communion dresses are selling. I dropped off sale flyers to the local schools, churches, and rectories, and tell people to tell their friends. Word-of-mouth advertising is free advertising.

KW: I was talking to Barbara Hares from Earth Dwellings in the Village on High, and she mentioned that a large part of her success so far has been from developing a following. Do you think that’s true for this store?

JF: Yes, we get a lot of the same people here. I always make sure to welcome people when they come in, let them know about our sales, ask them if they need anything. I have a spiel. A couple of women walked in, and I started my spiel, and then I saw who they were and said, ‘you know all of this already.’

KW: What are some of the obstacles facing arts districts as a whole and individual businesses specifically?

JF: The economy is the main thing for everyone. For this arts district specifically, parking can be a problem. We’re on a busy street, so we don’t have a lot of parking. These couple blocks here are busy. But you take the good with the bad. We get more business, too, because it’s a busy street.

 

Jim Fahy was kind enough to talk to me for quite awhile, and he brought up a lot of points I hadn’t considered before. I just want to thank him again for all of his help, in case he is checking this blog out. More interview posts to follow.

Advertisement