Residents are encouraged to shop locally as storeowners struggle to survive in an economy that shows very little signs of recovering.

“The economic engine of a vital business district continues to need an unwavering infusion of concern,” said John Wilton of Garden City Properties, who chairs the Merchants Group, at the Feb. 4th meeting of the Garden City Board of Trustees.

The Merchants Group is an independent committee of the Garden City Chamber of Commerce consisting of several independent Village retail establishments. Participants have been trying to brainstorm ways to increase local business.

Wilton encouraged residents to check out www.gardencityshopping.com, which has been newly designed and should be live by the beginning of next week. Visitors to the site will now find direct links to local merchants. “We believe that will be a very dynamic aspect of the Web site,” he said.

Wilton said local merchants have been faced with significant challenges. Many landlords, who initially showed compassion to struggling businesses and attempted to avoid rent increases, have now reached a frustration point as they too have difficulty surviving in a difficult economy that shows little sign of recovering in the immediate future. He said two tenants in the Village, which he refused to name, are very near closing.

The Merchants Group is trying to develop an incentive program for landlords. While a number of landlords have been receptive to new ideas, he said he has experienced reluctance from some. “I am trying to get them to be flexible in terms of lease commitments to incoming tenants,” Wilton said.

He announced that two leases are currently being drawn with businesses to be located at 150 and 152 Seventh Street. One of the businesses, to be called Pure Burger Garden City, will be an upscale eatery similar in certain respects to Five Guys Burger restaurants. The other business, to be called Seventh Street Pharmacy or Garden City Pharmacy, will be a pharmacy that will specialize in compounding, which cannot be found at most chain pharmacies.

“We need the Garden City residents, the local business communities and the professionals to all continue to shop and focus on the fact that it’s a vital engine, New Hyde Park Road, Seventh Street and Franklin Avenue. We need help and that help needs to be stressed again and again at each and every meeting.”