Based on many downtown examples, firms with significant backdoor operations are usually stronger and stay in business longer than other firms that rely solely on traditional storefront sales. Moreover, these merchants are not inclined to passively wait for shoppers to come to them. They are more likely than other merchants to be savvy about social marketing conducted both face-to-face and online. This is not to say that they are untouchable by economic down turns. In addition, the reduced dependency on downtown customer foot traffic potentially makes these firms less tied to their downtown locations. Nevertheless, backdoor retailing is a strategy fitting for many downtown businesses and complements a downtown association’s business retention and expansion efforts.

Public markets and street vending can help communities revitalize their downtown. Street vending has historically been a large part of the American economy, but went into a period of relative decline following the 1920s. Street vending is now returning as a way to help entrepreneurs create viable businesses because of their low start-up and upkeep costs. Street vending also has positive spillover effects that can benefit existing storefront businesses.