Merchants Moving Forward With Plans
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The group, formed by merchants concerned about a lack of a cohesive identity for the historic street, is moving forward with several projects, including the creation of a uniform logo to be used on promotional materials and (they're hoping) on signage that would drive traffic from other portions of the city to their small business district.
Joined by Berkshire Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Mike Supranowicz, City Councilors Richard Alcombright and Robert Moulton Jr. and Rod Bunt of the Mayor's Office of Tourism, owners of several Eagle Street businesses advocated for weekly downtown activities and street-specific community projects.
Asked by Tim Lanfair, the owner of Dragonflii Clothing Co., why more events aren't hosted in the downtown during the summer months, Bunt said he'd love to consider doing more activities that would attract people to the city's businesses.
"I say we do more. I'll all for it. Let's do it," he said.
In addition to music and bands on the sidewalks outside the businesses, the group suggested several art projects, including a sidewalk chalk activity that would give both youth and local artists the opportunity to showcase their talents.
"I've approached several merchants up and down the street and they've already said they'd donate a prize," said Alan Richards, the owner of A & M Home Décor.
Because of the difficulty of trying to make artwork appear on a rough surface like the sidewalk, Bunt suggested the group consider using easels instead.
"Then it'd be Easel Street," Bunt said.
Others ideas include a slideshow that could be projected onto the side of the Flat Iron Building and block party-style outdoor comedy show.
To help promote and support themselves, Supranowicz suggested researching business improvement districts to get ideas of what resources are available for neighborhood revitalization and consulting Downtown Inc., in Pittsfield, to discuss what avenues worked for them in their efforts to revitalize that city's now-growing downtown.
Lanfair, a new addition to the street, said he thought the role of the Chamber was to help promote Berkshire businesses.
"We want to cultivate a relationship with you to see what you can do for us. I have to say, I was disappointed when I opened my business; I was never visited by anyone from the chamber. I feel like the personal touch is lost here and I feel like you're over there (Pittsfield and south county) and we're here," Lanfair said.
Supranowicz explained that the Chamber's practices are the same in both the northern and southern Berkshires but the agency is a member organization and its priority is serving its members.
"I admire you guys for coming together but it's really what you put into making success happen, not what someone else does for you," said Supranowicz, adding that the Chamber's biggest event - the Fall Foliage Parade - is held in the city. "We're a membership organization. If you want to get involved in a chamber, you have to get involved with a chamber by committing time and effort to making a difference."
"There's a lot that we do but we do it for the members."
To help the merchants help themselves, Lanfair suggested officially forming a merchants association with other downtown businesses, possibly even collaborating with a yet-unformed group looking to develop from several proactive Spring Street merchants in Williamstown.
"We need big change and we need big action," Lanfair said.
Lois Daunis, the co-owner of Papyri Books, is spearheading an effort to create a "rack card" promoting up to eight downtown businesses with the help of local graphic designer Joshua Field.
"We really need to get on this and do this soon so we're on a roll," said Daunis.
Calling the street a "string of pearls," Alcombright commended the business owners for contributing to the beauty of the downtown and said he had faith they'd make the street a must-see destination.
"We've got a string of pearls here and anyone who has done something to make the streets attractive has popped a pearl on the string," he said.
Daunis, however, cautioned against getting ahead of themselves.
"We're encouraging people to come down here when we haven't developed a complete identity yet," she said.
