Parking limitations around the Cookeville Square pushed a local business to offer curbside pick up.
Marlene Massa is the owner of The Market on the Square.
“Well, it is a challenge on the square for parking. Between the courthouse and all of the other many levels of offices, whether they be lawyers or accountants or whatever,” Massa said. “There is just a lot of businesses on the square. So parking is always a challenge.”
Massa said she had customers call to say they decided not to come into the store after not finding a parking spot.
Even though most like to come in and shop at The Market on the Square, Massa said she wanted to offer quick assistance.
“It is very hard for independent retailers to make it. This community supports local businesses,” Massa said. “And I want to give back as much to the community that supports me as they give me and my business.”
Massa said the curbside service trend really set the system in motion.
“People didn’t do that then and then everybody kind of looked at me when I had suggested it like I was screwy or something. So you know, there it went on the back burner,” Massa said. “Then everybody was saying to me that they are getting their groceries at Wal-Mart and what, okay, pull up and get your groceries. Well, that stuck in my head because so many young people were doing that.”
Although Massa said the Market on the Square is not in competition with big-name retailers, she feels the curbside pick-up will help her keep customers.
If other small businesses start offering pickup services, Massa said the small businesses should share ideas.