Valley market growingSo how has Phoenix grown - and its Judaica business?Just ask Terry Epcar of the Jewish Quarter, who opened his first retail shop in the Jewish Community Center on Maryland Avenue in 1979. "The market has grown dramatically," says Epcar, who calculates that the Valley Jewish population has more than tripled in the past 25 years. And the availability of articles from menorahs to mezuzahs has grown astronomically to keep pace with the increased demand. "We started with 50 books, now we carry more than 3,000 titles," he says. "Two dozen menorahs, now we have more than 500. And it is the same in every category." Phoenix has become a major Jewish center, says Epcar, with a raft of sophisticated shoppers eager to buy Judaica for themselves or as gifts. Terry Epcar was working in the retail business, and wife Geri Epcar was working as the administrator of the Valley Jewish Day School, when they opened their first shop. The couple sensed that the community was ready for a store that carried more than the traditional synagogue Judaica shops. "The stores in the synagogues carried the things that those congregants needed or wanted," he says. The Epcars envisioned a store that featured more decorative and art pieces and could stock a larger selection and inventory. And the community was ready. After five years, the Epcars outgrew the 400-square-foot space at the JCC and moved to the Israel Connection site at Seventh Street and Missouri Avenue. They expanded several times over, eventually leasing some 4,000 square feet at the Phoenix location and at the same time gradually developing a Scottsdale location that ultimately grew to 4000 square feet and has been housed at Scottsdale and Shea for the past 10 years. A third location at the Tri-City Jewish Community Center closed several years ago after city restrictions precluded signage and hampered the ability of the shop to prosper, says Epcar. In December of last year, the Phoenix store closed, and business was consolidated at the Scottsdale location pending the opening of a new shop, most likely in the Chandler area this spring, says Epcar. The shop does a huge custom invitation business and carries more than 125 ketubot designs. The couple can assist with wording, in English and Hebrew, and other details. They also carry nearly 700 designs in talitot. Epcar says the Internet has not significantly impacted business, as people still like to see what they are getting and appreciate the personal service the Epcars offer. The shop, as do the area synagogue shops, strives to carry a number of items made in Israel to support the Israeli economy. Unfortunately, notes Epcar, the intifada has seriously impacted Israel's workforce and many companies are outsourcing their manufacturing. Hence, the made in China or the Philippines, stamped on some items, even though they are distributed by Israeli companies. The quality of many of those articles manufactured in the orient is superior to that made from the Arab market, says Epcar. Epcar says the greatest satisfaction has come from participating in the simchas of generations of families in the Valley, from b'nai mitzvah to weddings to baby namings. "It gives you a warm feeling," he says. "We've really enjoyed these 25 years. ... You feel like you are a part of the community." |
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