Ridgefield Sees Signs of Improving Job Market

With job openings, small business expansions and merchants building inventory, Ridgefield officials say they’re seeing signs that the job market is improving in town.

According to Marion Roth, executive director of the , small businesses are sourcing bookkeepers.

“I think that’s a good sign, and it’s the first of heard of it in three years,” Roth told Ridgefield Patch. “I’m not seeing any huge opportunities here in Ridgefield, but there are small opportunities in small businesses.”

The comments come as officials report 201,000 new private sector jobs added nationwide in March. The figures fall short of an expected 210,000.

According to Roth, many small businesses must “invest in inventory” first, and once consumer confidence returns, more jobs may be added. Roth noted that Copps Hill Plaza is planning to a new restaurant soon.

“Any time you add new restaurants it adds walking traffic,” she said.

Steve Zemo, owner of , confirmed that there is one new restaurant being built in Copps Hill Plaza.

According to Susan Brennan, an associate at the town’s chamber, just as media coverage of the slow economy was feeding the continued paralysis, reports of more jobs and business are now helping in a recovery.

“Some of the positive messages coming through the media have helped business downtown,” Brennan said.

Positive indications of recovering Ridgefield commerce include the expansion of Deborah Ann's chocolate store, and the imminent opening of Ridgefield Bicycle.

Mike Grissmer, one of the owner’s of for more than 12 years, said he’s opening up an ice cream shop next door, making his own ice cream.

“We’re not hiring right now, we have a good staff,” he said, noting that his current staff could handle the extra work. Grissmer said he hires mainly local high school students, although in the last three years, he has seen more older applicants.

“You do get more applications from recent college graduates inquiring about things when I look at it over the past three years,” he said. “I think it’s mainly because you can come into our store and buy chocolate or ice cream and it’s not going to break the bank. I know it’s hard retail-wise, you see a lot of business going under.”

A fixture of the town, has been around since 1938, and store manager Steve Arata said he is looking for a full-time and part time position, and that the business can afford to pay benefits for the full time worker.

“Ridgefield Hardware is fine,” Arata said.