Stormin Norman’s set to close as Toledo small business feel the pinch of a slow economic recovery

TOLEDO, Ohio (WTVG) – Toledo small businesses say they are feeling the pinch of an economy that may be recovering, but not nearly fast enough.

Stormin Norman’s Flea Market and Trading Post, a long time Toledo small business, are making the difficult decision to close their doors.

Norm started his business 15 years ago and 4 years ago he moved his business to the Southwyck area, near where the former Southwyck mall used to stand.

“I assumed by taking over this area that it would be a lot more traffic,” Norman Eisen, Owner of Stormin Norman’s Flea Market said.

He says the return on the investment of providing low cost and discounts isn’t keeping pace with new bigger competition.

“Big business, of course nationally the chains, the big box stores are moving into Toledo and they’re forcing the little guys out like myself,” Eisen said.

Under normal circumstances in the past Stormin Norman’s would average around 100 visitors on weekends, but lately it’s been around 1/3 of that.

“In this area the traffic is way down and business throughout this area is not all there as you would think it should be,” he said.

Eisen added, that the slow of business is not for the lack of not trying.

“We’re on radio, we’re on internet and with all that it’s still not bringing the traffic in,” he said.

Eisen also says “little guys” like him that are the “backbone” of the economy are preparing to face difficult challenges.

“With Amazon, with Walmart even online with the internet it has cost all small retailers a lot,” he said,

Stormin Norman’s will close their doors Sunday.

Eisen says he’s considering retirement but will do some roadside and pop up flea markets.

However, his main push is for people to support small businesses while they’re still around.

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