Above, "For Lease" signs try to attract new tenants. At right, the Lindenhurst Joint Civic group has signs in vacant windows calling for artists and others to decorate the store windows in the Village until they are rented. Photos by Cliff De Bear It's not uncommon to see multiple storefronts with "For Rent" signs hanging in windows across America thanks to the current recession sweeping the nation. The same goes for Lindenhurst, which has many unoccupied stores near the Village on North and South Wellwood Avenues.

"I don't think we're any different than anyone else right now," said Shawn Cullinane, a clerk for the Village of Lindenhurst. "Everyone's struggling with the downturn of the economy."

Cullinane said it seems to be the lower-end retail stores that are closing up quicker, but through it all, the Village government has stressed keeping the aesthetic nature of the area vibrant as a means of attacking the overall problem.

"It's not as bad as it seems," said Mike Lavorata, a trustee for the Village. "We're trying to improve curb appeal and make the downtown look better. An unpainted house isn't going to sell as much. It doesn't give you a warm feeling. That's been our main approach. Our economic survival depends on the success of our downtown and our merchants."

Cullinane and Lindenhurst Chamber of Commerce president Jo Ann Boettcher said sidewalks are being fixed, trees are being planted, and parks are being renovated.

"We're not shutting down," Cullinane said.

In addition, Lindenhurst Joint Civic Association is running an Adopt a Window Program to help reduce the number of unattractive vacant windows in some of the commercial buildings.

Obviously, the cost of renting commercial space has an impact on vacancies. With most businesses feeling the impact of a downturn in the economy, their overhead has to come down as well, and that includes the cost of rent.

"They're not coming down in their prices," Lavorata said of some local landlords. "Some would rather have empty stores than 80 percent of the rent. I don't understand the thinking."

Mike Fallon owns three storefronts on Wellwood Avenue and doesn't plan on straying from his methods and prices, even with some vacancies.

"I'm just staying the course," he said. "I'm delivering a quality product at a competitive price."

Boettcher said stores have closed because of the tax structure that landlords operate within.

"They're not making it affordable for people to rent their stores," she said, "and this is certainly a great place to have a business."