Medford, Ore., — Amy Dicostanzo has run two businesses in the Rogue Valley for the last fourteen years.
Papillon Rouge and La Strada Boutiques are her pride and joy.
“This is my life, I live here pretty much. I think I’m here way more than I am at home.”
When new stores started to open up in Medford, Dicostanzo admits it made her nervous.
“Of course when you hear the news of things coming in, it does worry you, because you know you worked so hard to build these places, you don’t want anything to take it away. So there was a little bit of worry.”
But now, she says the new businesses are actually helping her stores.
“You know it’s a new shopping, everyone wants to check it out and it’s bringing more people there. So new people are walking in La Strada and saying omg this is so great we didn’t know you were here. So it’s actually been good for us too.”
Dicostanzo says it’s making people appreciate shopping local.
“People come in here and they realize the customer service they get here, we know their names, we know what they like, we know their history. They like that personal service.”
And while the new stores may be competition, she welcomes the additions.
“I think it’s always good any business that comes in because it gives us jobs around here, it offers more. So I think it’s great.”
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