Businesses concerned by Pfizer closures

Local News

Discussion

PLEASE NOTE: There is a 150 word maximum for comments. All comments greater than 150 words in length will be deleted in their entirety.

ALSO NOTE: Derisive name-calling of an individual or group will result in the entire comment being deleted. This includes the terms "stupid" and "idiot" and similar references.

Welcome to our new online comments feature. Before you can join the discussion, you must first register with Disqus and verify your email address.

Once you do, your comments will post after they have been reviewed by a moderator.

We welcome your thoughts and your opinions, including unpopular ones. We ask only that you keep the conversation civil and clean.

Not all comments are deemed printable. Some are disqualified, at the newspaper’s discretion, for a number of reasons. Here are some typical practices to avoid in trying to get your comment printed:

There is a 150 word maximum for comments. All comments greater than 150 words in length will be deleted in their entirety.

Don’t state as a fact something that is unsubstantiated or that our editors wouldn't know to be true.

Don’t presume someone’s guilt in a case when it hasn't been established by a court.

Don’t assail or impugn an identifiable individual or group. If you have that kind of criticism, sign your name and submit it as a Letter to the Editor. (There is some leeway on this in connection with public officials, but it is not unconditional.)

Don’t use profanity. This includes the term “tea bagger.”

Don’t be incendiary or tasteless. Those qualities are subjective, of course, and our editors will be the arbiters.

Do not identify yourself in the main content area of the article content form. Only by enforcing this rule can the moderators prevent unscrupulous commenters from falsely identifying themselves as someone they are not.

Don't type in all caps. It is considered the Internet equivalent of shouting.

In sports articles, do not criticize officiating.

Remember, moderators are not allowed to edit any article comments. If an article comment fails any of the above criteria, the entire comment will be deleted.

We monitor comments Monday - Friday, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, 2 p.m. to 8 p.m. Approval of comments outside these times may be delayed.

comments powered by Disqus

November 10, 2009

By ANDREA VanVALKENBURG The Press Republican Tue Nov 10, 2009, 10:28 PM EST

CHAZY — Simon Conroy has noticed the effect corporate layoffs have had on his business in the past.

"We definitely saw a lot of customers who work at Wyeth say goodbye years ago," said the owner of Conroys Organics on Route 9 in Beekmantown.

This week, after Pfizer Inc. announced the impending closure of its research and development operations in Rouses Point, Chazy and Plattsburgh, Conroy is wondering whether his expanding business will once again feel the impact.

"We saw a lot of people leave then, but luckily it hasn't been a drastic fallout of customers. But this time, I don't know."

Word about the estimated loss of 400 had many local business owners worried Tuesday.

Laura Shambo, owner of North Country Floral and Gifts in Chazy, said she has "a lot of local customers and support, so I imagine in time it may have an impact."

She expects it will be difficult for many Pfizer employees to find comparable work in the area.

"It's going to be tough, and the numbers are just astonishing. I'm just hoping they can get another company in to help these people, but I guess we're going to have to wait and see."

In Rouses Point, the closures were the topic of many conversations.

"It's going to hurt the people who got laid off, the businesses and the tax base," said Pat O'Connor, owner of West Liquor and Wine.

After 30 years in business, O'Connor has seen his share of corporate layoffs and said the latest round "will hurt for sure. People are going to have to move out of the area because there really aren't that many jobs that have that kind of pay."

At Chazy Hardware Building Supply in Rouses Point, co-owner Bruce LaDue said the news "is just awful. It's (the effect) going to trickle down to everyone."

He predicts the closures will have a fairly significant impact on the tax base and local housing situation.

"And somebody's going to have to pick up those costs."

Chuck Porter, an employee at Garceau Auto Sales, doesn't think the job losses will hurt the dealership as much as other businesses, but said, "One way or another, it's going to affect everyone. It's going to be tough, that's for sure."

Nearby, at Best Friends Family Diner, employee Aislinn McCarthy said the announcement sent a wave of "worry through town."

At the packed diner on Tuesday, McCarthy said, "Everyone's just kind of recoiling today."

Despite the expected hardship, Conroy remained optimistic that the area's other economic opportunities will help minimize the impact.

"Even with the loss of jobs, we have a lot more opportunities in our area than a lot of northern New York towns. I still think we're better off than other areas."

E-mail Andrea VanValkenburg at: avanvalkenburg@pressrepublican.com