VIDEO TRANSCRIPT: Baldwinsville’s Canal District: businesses battle economic pressures
Maria Wainscott: A quiet has fallen over Baldwinsville’s Canal District as the doors of a beloved community staple close for the last time. The Canal Side Cafe and Bistro served its final meal on Sept. 29, unable to weather the storm of financial pressures. The owners shared their heartbreak on social media, yet another casualty of the unforgiving economic climate that continues to claim small businesses in central New York. But this story isn’t unique. Job growth in Syracuse is slowing faster than the national average, contributing to the closure of small businesses since 2019. according to the greater Baldwinsville Chamber of Commerce, 178 small businesses call this area home. Just across the street, business owner Andrea Gagas is determined not to be another statistic. She runs the energy lounge, a wellness studio, and watched as her neighbors closed up shop.
Andrea Gagas: They’re one of three businesses that are closing their doors in our community. And it’s heartbreaking. I know what it’s like when you put your when you put everything you have into your dream and you believe in something.
Wainscott: Gagas says times are tough with rising costs making it harder to break even. But she’s not giving up.
Gagas: So with the economy prices rising, it makes a little less easy, because we have to do more work just to make that bottom line again, but I wouldn’t, I wouldn’t trade it for anything.
Wainscott: For Gagas, small businesses are the heart and soul of Baldwinsville, creating a ripple effect that inspires others.
Gagas: If you go down the road behind me, there’s a healing studio there. There’s a healing studio up the road. There’s another one. There’s they’re exploding all over.
Wainscott: The Onondaga Small Business Development Center provides free guidance to entrepreneurs across Central New York, helping businesses before they face critical issues. From Baldwinsville, New York, Maria Wainscott, NCC News.
SYRACUSE, N.Y. (NCC News) — Residents of Baldwinsville’s Canal District are witnessing a quiet shift in their town this year, as a beloved community institution closes its doors. The Canal Side Café and Bistro, a longtime favorite, served its final meal on Sept. 29, unable to overcome mounting financial pressures.
The Maliszewski family, owners of the café, shared their heartbreak on social media. On Sept. 16, they announced that unless a buyer could be found, the café’s final day of operation would be Sept. 29. In their Facebook post, they revealed they had been operating “day by day, desperately trying to keep the café going with the support of our amazing friends and family.” They expressed deep gratitude for their loyal customers and dedicated staff, who helped them stay open as long as they did.
NCC News reached out to the owners for comment, but they did not respond.
The Canal Side Café’s closure is part of a broader trend. Across the Canal District, many small businesses are struggling to stay afloat. According to the Greater Baldwinsville Chamber of Commerce, the district is home to 178 small businesses.
Just across the street from the café, Andrea Gagas, owner of The Energy Lounge, is determined to defy the odds. The wellness studio owner has watched her neighbors close shop, but she remains hopeful.
“They’re one of three businesses that are closing their doors in our community, and it’s heartbreaking. I know what it’s like when you put everything you have into your dream, and you believe in something,” Gagas said.
Though times are tough, with rising costs making it harder to break even, Gagas isn’t giving up.
“So with the economy, prices rising, it makes it a little less easy because we have to do more work just to make that bottom line again. But I wouldn’t trade it for anything.”
For small business owners facing financial difficulties, help is available. The Onondaga Small Business Development Center (SBDC) provides free guidance to entrepreneurs across Central New York. Their mission is to support local businesses and help them thrive before they face critical issues.
Regional Director of the Onondaga SBDC Bob Griffin, emphasized the importance of seeking help early:
“Any existing business owner can come to us, and we can do a financial workup that shows what’s working and where there’s room for improvement. We compare their performance to similar businesses, both regionally and nationally, to provide a clear picture of their standing,” he said.
Griffin stressed that too many small business owners wait until they’re in trouble before seeking help.
“The main reason small businesses fail in our area is because owners are too prideful to ask for help. They often don’t realize that we exist to support them,” he said.
The SBDC aims to promote entrepreneurship and provide the tools necessary for small businesses in the region to succeed.
While the future may be uncertain for some businesses in Baldwinsville, the resources available to them offer hope for recovery and resilience in the face of today’s economic challenges.