Service-focused shops replace traditional retailers on Ridgewood’s Main Street

In Ridgewood, New Jersey, the historic Main Street that once centered on traditional retail is being reshaped by an influx of service-based businesses, including gyms, salons, and three ice-cream cafés on a single block. According to CoStar, the United States reached a milestone last year when the majority of leased retail space was occupied by service providers, a trend echoed in the town’s own transition from a ski shop and a bank to a sushi restaurant and an Italian eatery.

Joan Groome, now executive director of the Ridgewood Chamber of Commerce, points to the proliferation of barbershops and upcoming milkshake venues as evidence of the change. Analysts like John Mercer of Coresight Research link the shift to consumers reallocating spending from goods to experiences, a pattern accelerated by e-commerce. Local merchants such as bookstore Bookends and jewelry shop Hot Jewelry Box report mixed feelings, with some seeing increased foot traffic while others worry about the loss of boutique retail. The evolution reflects a broader national movement where malls and downtowns add gyms, escape rooms, and health clinics to attract visitors.