Every Main Street community is working to bring shoppers downtown, but what does that mean in the era of internet shopping? Shoppers are buying more online–but they don’t buy all products in an equal amount. In the next few posts, we’ll take a look at this sharp graphic from Permuto Discoveries, and offer some questions that might prompt … More Anchors on Main Street
Downtown Blackstone, Inc. (DBI) has been full of activity this holiday season, successfully coordinating retail promotions and image building events. The Second Annual Downtown Holiday Open House kicked off the season November 27. Following the Grand Illumination in the town park, DBi drew crowds into downtown by coordinating activities with the local merchants, such as carriage rides, choral … More Blackstone holiday events keep local elves busy
Downtown Culpeper’s focus on farm fresh food through the farmer’s market, destination restaurants, and special food themed events has contributed to the revitalization of the historic community. Watch “Meet the Farmer” host Michael Clark talk with community leaders involved in the new vitality of Culpeper. The segment features Culpeper Renaissance, Inc. in a success story that builds on the … More Video: Culpeper’s thriving foodshed
We’re turning over the space today to Jeff Curtis, director of the Orange Downtown Alliance for some tips on rallying downtown merchants for an effective training. One of the recurring issues addressed in our Business Development Committee meetings has been customer service, or more specifically, the lack of it. It’s an important issue for any community, and especially … More Guest Blogger: Orange’s Jeff Curtis on rallying Main Street around customer service training
The Town of Rocky Mount is working with its Main Street program to invest in an innovative strategy to boost retail spending. The project, coordinated by the Community Partnership for Revitalization (CPR), was branded “5 on us’ by the economic restructuring committee. “5 On Us” will incorporate $5 vouchers redeemable at participating local merchants in the uptown and downtown areas. The cash vouchers are as good as cash toward … More Local investment may boost local retail spending
It turns out you do. At least if you are trying to gain traction and trust in the online world. It may seem purely intuitive that bad press or reviews are not good for sales, but this short article from Fortune magazine says otherwise. This article is geared toward online sales, but the idea can … More Who needs all that negativity?
We have been promoting the idea that recessions and layoffs, while very difficult to navigate, provide the impetus for an entrepreneurial boom. Now, the Kauffman Foundation has issued its report supporting our claims. In economic gardening terms, this is the equivilant of burning last years crops to make way for the new “green shoots.” … More Entrepreneurial stories
Is Abingdon on the brink of a new renaissance? That was the title question of a front page Bristol Herald Courier story this week connecting new businesses in the Washington County town to a strategic investment in Southwest Virginia’s cultural heritage. This little town might be the next Asheville, at least according to the buzz downtown,” opens staff … More Growing a success narrative
What is a good business proposition? That is a tough question to answer. I am sure that many people thought that two old hippies were crazy when they started an ice cream company in Vermont, where summers last only a few months and the temperature can drop to near freezing in August. But those that saw promise … More Bright ideas for business
