By Joe Salvay, Owner of ISOrockland.com
NEW CITY, NY – If you conduct business in Rockland County, you are probably aware of the growing Orthodox Jewish community based in Monsey, NY. Still, many residents of Clarkstown, Orangetown and parts of Haverstraw may not have considered how severely the growth of this community will impact their businesses and suburban lifestyle. It is time for businesses and organizations to begin planning a strategy for surviving – and even thriving – amidst the changing demographic landscape of Rockland County.
Much of Rockland to the west of the Palisades and Garden State parkways is populated by the Orthodox Jewish community. Local businesses and organizations who do not cater to this community depend on the patronage of nearby residents to remain profitable. However, more and more homeowners in Rockland County are selling their homes to Orthodox Jewish homebuyers at above market prices. Thus, it is only a matter of time – perhaps a few decades – before Rockland County is predominantly populated by the Orthodox Jewish community.
How will this affect your business or organization? If you own a non-kosher restaurant or bar, the odds are that your business will not survive past 2045. On the other hand, if you are a real estate attorney, you may be able to survive. But what would it take for a Rockland County business to truly thrive amidst such a dramatic shift in demographics?
Rockland County business owners will need to have a plan that includes resilience and/or adaptation.