Small business closures in Newark spark student concern

A local print media provider and convenience store on Main Street, Newark Newsstand, was forced to permanently shut down operations this January due to a decrease in print media sales. Before closing, it had operated for over 75 years and was the second oldest store in Newark. It is safe to say the closing of Newark Newsstand represents another disappointing piece of evidence supporting the depletion of small businesses and print media outlets in Newark.

 Small businesses are a dying breed on Main Street. However, there is no denying the fact that Newark Newsstand’s primary selling point, print media, had a large impact on the store’s overall demise. When your main profit stream is coming from the sale of a product of a dying industry, it becomes increasingly difficult to keep your doors open for business. The combination of distributing print media and being a small, independently operated business is sadly a death sentence in American cities and without doubt led to the closing of Newark Newsstand.

 Whether it be competition from online retailers like Amazon.com, or the increasing rivalry between the gorgeous new Barnes & Noble on Main Street, we cannot fail to point out the real losers in this situation: the small business owners and those who still rely on them to provide specific material at a reasonable price. Newark Newsstand sold hundreds of different magazine types appealing to almost every consumer interest. These people are now forced to turn to bigger companies who cater to a broad audience and are likely to pay more for their specific needs. Print media is becoming scarcer by the day as consumers are forced to search for print media outlets. We are all affected by the slow but inevitable extinction of small businesses and the issue need not be taken lightly.