Online selling and retailing present enormous challenges to brick-and-mortar stores.
It is accordingly encouraging how much recent interest there has been in new retailers coming into the Northampton business district. The Grateful Hounds, the Antiquarian, Pico Pockets are all either open or preparing to open. Happy Valley is going to expand and move a few doors to its right. The old Western Massachusetts Ski and Sport is now being remodeled for a new tenant.
Since the business community is in tense and testy discussions with the city about financing of infrastructure repairs, I hope that the business leaders find it hopeful that so many retailers wish to open in Northampton.
RALPH KAPLAN
Florence