Mario Ratzki Oriental Rugs in the News

Charles Street businesses ready for Democrats - July 13, 2004 - The Beacon Hill Times: "Charles Street businesses ready for Democrats
Cassandra Miller
July 13, 2004

Many Charles Street businesses will remain open for the Democratic National Convention July 26 through the 29 and some owners are excited about the event regardless of the unknown effect the influx of Democrats will have on their business.

“We want to show [visitors] something unique,” said Caroline Moulton-Ratzki, co-owner of Mario Ratzki Oriental Rugs. “Even if they don’t buy anything, they’ll be interested in Charles Street.”

Mario Ratzki, the other store owner, said he thinks all stores on Charles Street should remain open for the convention.

“We urge everyone to be open,” he said. “It’s only four days. Why can’t people get into it? They should be proud to show off their city.”

He said he wants to stay open more for the delegates and visitors to experience the shops of Boston than for business.

“It would be a crying shame to have people not from Boston come and see stores closed. We owe it to the people to be open,” he said. “I don’t expect a lot of business, but if we get business it will be nice.”

Other managers, such as Beverly Barber of A Room With a Vieux Antiques, do not know what to expect from the convention and have not made a firm decision on whether to remain open or not.

“A lot of our stuff is high-end and many [visitors] just want a token to take home with them,” Barber said. “Someone who’s here with the convention may not be interested in having a large piece shipped out. I really don’t know what to expect.”

If the store remains opens for the convention, Barber said she expects a lot of store traffic but not necessarily a lot of sales.

“A lot of people come in and look around like it’s a museum, but they don’t buy anything,” she said.

Many real estate agencies will remain open even though they may serve mainly hill residents.

“It’s probably going to be quiet, but we manage property so we’re going to be here anyway,” said Rebecca Marston, a property manager for the Capitol Reality Group. “We’re always open.”

Ristorante Toscano will be closed during the convention. Manager Peter Barresi said it is not because of the DNC, but because the restaurant usually closes for renovations in the summer.

Barresi said owner Vinicio Paoli might go back to Italy for the week. “But I’ll be here painting.”

Mario Ratzki, who is driving delegates around the city during the convention, said he thinks visitors will want to experience Boston as it usually is.

“They want to see Boston. They don’t want to see a row of closed shops,” he said. “We owe it to them to have a welcoming city. It’s not really welcoming to have a door closed.”

Caroline agreed with her husband.

“We are going to extend the welcome mat and roll out the red carpet.” "