News From Grand Haven Main Street AprilâJune, 2018
News From Grand Haven Main Street www.downtownGH.com
April—June, 2018
Important Dates Spring has come to the lakeshore, albeit winter weather is holding on longer than we’d like! Grand Haven Main Street staff and volunteers are focusing on new development projects, spring clean-ups, summer banners, and strengthening our business partners. Please note these dates and watch your inbox for details as events draw closer. If you’d like information—or think you’ve missed an email—please call us and we’ll resend the details.
service, including downtown beautification teams cleaning flower beds between First and Harbor, and laying mulch in the raised beds at Harborfront Parking lot, the marina and mini-golf. Extra volunteers are needed to help clean up the raised beds in the parking lots off Franklin, behind downtown storefronts, at Mulligan’s Hollow and the Skate Park. If you are interested, please call Ryan at (616) 935-3216 OR join us on May 6 with your own tools and join a team that best suits your skills.
Tuesday, April 10 Final Day to order a 2018 Main Street Banner— personalized to recognize your business or honor a loved one. $250
Thursday, May 10; 2-4 PM TIPS Training at the Loutit District Library
Tuesday, May 1
Main Street Parking Lots—time restrictions go to summer hours on May 1. 3-hour limits in designated lots and Washington Avenue; limited longterm parking available in all public lots. Sunday, May 6 Covenant Life Church (located at 101 Columbus) is hosting their annual “Day To Shine” on Sunday, May 6, 2018. This event is an opportunity for members to support their community through
Grand Haven Main Street 519 Washington Grand Haven MI (616) 844-1188 (616) 847-3496 fax Walk In Office Hours: Monday—Friday 9 AM—12 PM (2nd Floor at City Hall)
Grand Haven Public Safety is holding this class for our local restaurants, bars and anyone serving alcohol to orient your seasonal staff (and refresh your experienced staff) on Liquor Control Commission’s requirements for serving alcohol.
Tuesday, June 19; 6-7:30 PM Main Street Celebrates our Volunteers! Join us in saying thank you to our passionate friends who help support your business through projects and events. Families welcome—dinner provided.
Sidewalk Sales is Coming—Plan Now! Sidewalk Sales 2018 August 17 August 18
9 AM—8 PM 9 AM—5 PM
Businesses located in the Main Street (DDA) district are welcome to participate at no cost, but we assign space for setting up tents and tables on Washington (between Third Street / Harbor) on a first-come, first-assigned basis. We attempt to place you as close to your storefront as possible, but crosswalks and accessibility issues must be considered. Businesses not located on Washington are welcome to set up—we will work with you to try and accommodate your preferred location, on a first-come, first-assigned basis. Applications were emailed out last month—if you need one, please call Vicki at (616) 844-1188 to request one.
Adopt A Planter We are excited to announce the return of beautiful blooms in our Main Street flower planters this spring—made possible by a generous grant from the William H. Young & Dorothy Young Mixer Field of Interest Fund at the Grand Haven Area Community Foundation. We still have a couple of planters available for adopting this year, so if you’d like to dig in the dirt (pulling weeds and picking out trash) a few times a week, we’ll recognize your efforts with a nameplate in the planter. Call the office to volunteer!
Main Street Banners This year’s downtown banners feature the art of students from Grand Haven Area Schools—with the special theme of “Waterfront Fun in Grand Haven.” This year’s student winners are: Sarah Bell Chase Ertzinger Hugh Frisinger Vayla Schoendorf Riese Steigenga Keyan Weesies Banners are $250 and will be yours to keep after being displayed on Main Street light poles this summer. Personalization can feature your business or family name or a celebratory message. Max of 18 spaces per line, 2 line max per banner. If you’d like to order a banner, please request an order form: 616-844-1188.
Updates Needed It’s time to update our printed Main Street Business Directory, and we need your help! Featuring our local service providers, eateries and shops, we print 10,000 copies. It’s mailed to every household in Grand Haven and available for visitors. This is a wonderful tool to market the 280+ businesses in our district. Please review your listing in our current business directory to verify it is correct—and be sure to inform us of any updates or changes no later than May 1.
The Future of Retail There’s no doubt about it, the retail landscape is changing and getting more complex. No longer are there clear boundaries between brick and mortar stores and e-commerce, between big boxes and mom & pops. Yet one thing is certain: Main
Street has a unique competitive advantage and it’s up to us to understand how to tap into this opportunity.
Throughout 2017, the news reported waves of store closures, entire chains declaring bankruptcy, and how traditional malls were visibly struggling. Massive stores that competed on convenience, low cost, and wide selection have dominated for decades; but now online retailers win on those three factors. Fewer people want to endure the typical big box experience: parking, hiking, fighting crowds while overwhelmed with choices. Massive stores are losing sales to small retailers that better compete on meaning, interest and experience. If people are going to a store, they want to enjoy it!
Despite the attention focused on the future of online retail, online sales currently make up less than 10% of all retail sales. And sales
at small retailers have grown at a faster rate than big retailers since 2012, according to Mastercard Spending Pulse for Small Business. They attribute this to the “general consumer trend to shop small.” In 2015, even Chain Store Age admitted that
“Mom & Pops Are Cool Again.”
When consumers want to find something made locally, feel a connection to the artisan who created it, and know that their purchase makes a difference, they want to go to a real store, a small store, a local store.
The best competitive advantage for small retailers is to focus on meaning, experience, and enjoyment. This affects every aspect of your store. Focusing on the consumer’s experience can seem like a distraction from real business, but those
unique experiences are the core
experiences are the core business of local retail. A hardware store owner might hold a Tool Days event, with lessons and demonstrations about how to use tools, a tool sharpening service in the parking lot, and chances to get hands-on right in the store. No e-commerce site can begin to compete with this personalized approach.
In addition to creating personalized experiences, local stores need to adopt technology to provide an immersive, mixed physical and virtual retail experience. Trend watchers
call this “transcendent retail.” Simple steps like using tablets to improve service don’t require a massive investment and show a commitment to the technology movement. Tablets can be used to order your meal, view special order merchandise, capture email addresses, and set-up recurring orders for consumable goods. Because customers are using Messenger, text messages and email to communicate every day, stores can start accepting orders and requests through these channels. Many small businesses feel challenged trying to market their business in a fast-changing world.
Grand Haven Main Street is working with you to market our district as a whole, and we invite you to join us for brainstorming (networking) sessions with your neighbors.
Working together, we can create a new synergy that delivers more than the sum of its parts and benefits everyone. This article contains excerpts from “The Future of Retail” by Becky McCray, as published in the “Winter 2018 State of Main,” a publication of Main Street America.
Never forget the importance of marketing. Today’s technology offers a variety of FREE tools available to reach your customers 24/7. For more ideas on marketing your business, we recommend our own local business experts: WhizBang! Retail Training. Bob & Susan Negen generously share their expertise through FREE tips as well as offering comprehensive training. To learn more: https://whizbangtraining.com
Main Street (DDA) Board Sharon Behm, Chairman Borr’s Shoes [email protected] Cyndi Casemier, Vice Chair C2C Gallery [email protected] Todd Anthes, Secretary Scholten Fant [email protected] Carolyn Taylor, Treasurer Fifth Third Bank [email protected] Geri McCaleb, Mayor [email protected] Carrie Anne Engels What A Gem! [email protected] David Garland Huntington Bank [email protected] Kristin Hibbard DeBoer, Baumann Company [email protected] Mary Janusz Calico Cat [email protected] Steve Loftis Harbor Restaurants [email protected]
COFFEE WITH THE DIRECTOR 2018 is in full swing with projects underway and new development being planned. To help stay in touch, we have a drop-in coffee time each 4th Friday of the month where you can meet our director to express concerns, discuss topics of your interest, and learn more about Main Street. No need to register, just stop by. As always, you are welcome to call, send an email or schedule an appointment to meet with Diane. Call: (616) 844-1188 OR Email: [email protected]
4th Fridays—Coffee with the Director 8:30—9:30 am @ Aldea Coffee April 27 May 25 June 22 MONTHLY COMMITTEE MEETINGS
Nickie Schroeder Santo Stefano del Lago [email protected]
All Main Street meetings are open to the public. We welcome visitors and your participation. Not sure where to start? Come visit one or more of our "working committees" and see what fits your volunteer interests.
John Steinbach Anchor Realty [email protected]
DDA Board—Chair: Sharon Behm Meets 2nd Thursday; 7 AM; Council Chambers, City Hall
Bob Warren [email protected]
Business Recruitment&Retention—Chair: Dana Kollewehr Meets 4th Tuesday; 8:30 AM; Chamber of Commerce Lower Level Conference Room, 1 S Harbor
Staff
Diane Sheridan Executive Director [email protected] Vicki Ellis Administrative Assistant [email protected] Ryan Bond, Community Engagement (AmeriCorps VISTA ) [email protected]
Grand Haven Main Street 519 Washington; Grand Haven MI (616) 844-1188 (located on the 2nd Floor at City Hall)
Organization Committee—Chair: Carolyn Taylor Currently meets 3rd Tuesday; 8 AM; Council Chambers, in City Hall, 519 Washington Preservation&Place Committee—Chair: Randy Smith Meets 4th Monday; 8:30 AM; Basement Conference Room in City Hall, 519 Washington Promotions Committee—Chair: Andy Cawthon Meets 3rd Tuesday; 9 AM; Council Chambers in City Hall ArtWalk Planning Committee—Chair: Steve Loftis Meets as needed—contact the office for details.
April—June, 2018
Important Dates Spring has come to the lakeshore, albeit winter weather is holding on longer than we’d like! Grand Haven Main Street staff and volunteers are focusing on new development projects, spring clean-ups, summer banners, and strengthening our business partners. Please note these dates and watch your inbox for details as events draw closer. If you’d like information—or think you’ve missed an email—please call us and we’ll resend the details.
service, including downtown beautification teams cleaning flower beds between First and Harbor, and laying mulch in the raised beds at Harborfront Parking lot, the marina and mini-golf. Extra volunteers are needed to help clean up the raised beds in the parking lots off Franklin, behind downtown storefronts, at Mulligan’s Hollow and the Skate Park. If you are interested, please call Ryan at (616) 935-3216 OR join us on May 6 with your own tools and join a team that best suits your skills.
Tuesday, April 10 Final Day to order a 2018 Main Street Banner— personalized to recognize your business or honor a loved one. $250
Thursday, May 10; 2-4 PM TIPS Training at the Loutit District Library
Tuesday, May 1
Main Street Parking Lots—time restrictions go to summer hours on May 1. 3-hour limits in designated lots and Washington Avenue; limited longterm parking available in all public lots. Sunday, May 6 Covenant Life Church (located at 101 Columbus) is hosting their annual “Day To Shine” on Sunday, May 6, 2018. This event is an opportunity for members to support their community through
Grand Haven Main Street 519 Washington Grand Haven MI (616) 844-1188 (616) 847-3496 fax Walk In Office Hours: Monday—Friday 9 AM—12 PM (2nd Floor at City Hall)
Grand Haven Public Safety is holding this class for our local restaurants, bars and anyone serving alcohol to orient your seasonal staff (and refresh your experienced staff) on Liquor Control Commission’s requirements for serving alcohol.
Tuesday, June 19; 6-7:30 PM Main Street Celebrates our Volunteers! Join us in saying thank you to our passionate friends who help support your business through projects and events. Families welcome—dinner provided.
Sidewalk Sales is Coming—Plan Now! Sidewalk Sales 2018 August 17 August 18
9 AM—8 PM 9 AM—5 PM
Businesses located in the Main Street (DDA) district are welcome to participate at no cost, but we assign space for setting up tents and tables on Washington (between Third Street / Harbor) on a first-come, first-assigned basis. We attempt to place you as close to your storefront as possible, but crosswalks and accessibility issues must be considered. Businesses not located on Washington are welcome to set up—we will work with you to try and accommodate your preferred location, on a first-come, first-assigned basis. Applications were emailed out last month—if you need one, please call Vicki at (616) 844-1188 to request one.
Adopt A Planter We are excited to announce the return of beautiful blooms in our Main Street flower planters this spring—made possible by a generous grant from the William H. Young & Dorothy Young Mixer Field of Interest Fund at the Grand Haven Area Community Foundation. We still have a couple of planters available for adopting this year, so if you’d like to dig in the dirt (pulling weeds and picking out trash) a few times a week, we’ll recognize your efforts with a nameplate in the planter. Call the office to volunteer!
Main Street Banners This year’s downtown banners feature the art of students from Grand Haven Area Schools—with the special theme of “Waterfront Fun in Grand Haven.” This year’s student winners are: Sarah Bell Chase Ertzinger Hugh Frisinger Vayla Schoendorf Riese Steigenga Keyan Weesies Banners are $250 and will be yours to keep after being displayed on Main Street light poles this summer. Personalization can feature your business or family name or a celebratory message. Max of 18 spaces per line, 2 line max per banner. If you’d like to order a banner, please request an order form: 616-844-1188.
Updates Needed It’s time to update our printed Main Street Business Directory, and we need your help! Featuring our local service providers, eateries and shops, we print 10,000 copies. It’s mailed to every household in Grand Haven and available for visitors. This is a wonderful tool to market the 280+ businesses in our district. Please review your listing in our current business directory to verify it is correct—and be sure to inform us of any updates or changes no later than May 1.
The Future of Retail There’s no doubt about it, the retail landscape is changing and getting more complex. No longer are there clear boundaries between brick and mortar stores and e-commerce, between big boxes and mom & pops. Yet one thing is certain: Main
Street has a unique competitive advantage and it’s up to us to understand how to tap into this opportunity.
Throughout 2017, the news reported waves of store closures, entire chains declaring bankruptcy, and how traditional malls were visibly struggling. Massive stores that competed on convenience, low cost, and wide selection have dominated for decades; but now online retailers win on those three factors. Fewer people want to endure the typical big box experience: parking, hiking, fighting crowds while overwhelmed with choices. Massive stores are losing sales to small retailers that better compete on meaning, interest and experience. If people are going to a store, they want to enjoy it!
Despite the attention focused on the future of online retail, online sales currently make up less than 10% of all retail sales. And sales
at small retailers have grown at a faster rate than big retailers since 2012, according to Mastercard Spending Pulse for Small Business. They attribute this to the “general consumer trend to shop small.” In 2015, even Chain Store Age admitted that
“Mom & Pops Are Cool Again.”
When consumers want to find something made locally, feel a connection to the artisan who created it, and know that their purchase makes a difference, they want to go to a real store, a small store, a local store.
The best competitive advantage for small retailers is to focus on meaning, experience, and enjoyment. This affects every aspect of your store. Focusing on the consumer’s experience can seem like a distraction from real business, but those
unique experiences are the core
experiences are the core business of local retail. A hardware store owner might hold a Tool Days event, with lessons and demonstrations about how to use tools, a tool sharpening service in the parking lot, and chances to get hands-on right in the store. No e-commerce site can begin to compete with this personalized approach.
In addition to creating personalized experiences, local stores need to adopt technology to provide an immersive, mixed physical and virtual retail experience. Trend watchers
call this “transcendent retail.” Simple steps like using tablets to improve service don’t require a massive investment and show a commitment to the technology movement. Tablets can be used to order your meal, view special order merchandise, capture email addresses, and set-up recurring orders for consumable goods. Because customers are using Messenger, text messages and email to communicate every day, stores can start accepting orders and requests through these channels. Many small businesses feel challenged trying to market their business in a fast-changing world.
Grand Haven Main Street is working with you to market our district as a whole, and we invite you to join us for brainstorming (networking) sessions with your neighbors.
Working together, we can create a new synergy that delivers more than the sum of its parts and benefits everyone. This article contains excerpts from “The Future of Retail” by Becky McCray, as published in the “Winter 2018 State of Main,” a publication of Main Street America.
Never forget the importance of marketing. Today’s technology offers a variety of FREE tools available to reach your customers 24/7. For more ideas on marketing your business, we recommend our own local business experts: WhizBang! Retail Training. Bob & Susan Negen generously share their expertise through FREE tips as well as offering comprehensive training. To learn more: https://whizbangtraining.com
Main Street (DDA) Board Sharon Behm, Chairman Borr’s Shoes [email protected] Cyndi Casemier, Vice Chair C2C Gallery [email protected] Todd Anthes, Secretary Scholten Fant [email protected] Carolyn Taylor, Treasurer Fifth Third Bank [email protected] Geri McCaleb, Mayor [email protected] Carrie Anne Engels What A Gem! [email protected] David Garland Huntington Bank [email protected] Kristin Hibbard DeBoer, Baumann Company [email protected] Mary Janusz Calico Cat [email protected] Steve Loftis Harbor Restaurants [email protected]
COFFEE WITH THE DIRECTOR 2018 is in full swing with projects underway and new development being planned. To help stay in touch, we have a drop-in coffee time each 4th Friday of the month where you can meet our director to express concerns, discuss topics of your interest, and learn more about Main Street. No need to register, just stop by. As always, you are welcome to call, send an email or schedule an appointment to meet with Diane. Call: (616) 844-1188 OR Email: [email protected]
4th Fridays—Coffee with the Director 8:30—9:30 am @ Aldea Coffee April 27 May 25 June 22 MONTHLY COMMITTEE MEETINGS
Nickie Schroeder Santo Stefano del Lago [email protected]
All Main Street meetings are open to the public. We welcome visitors and your participation. Not sure where to start? Come visit one or more of our "working committees" and see what fits your volunteer interests.
John Steinbach Anchor Realty [email protected]
DDA Board—Chair: Sharon Behm Meets 2nd Thursday; 7 AM; Council Chambers, City Hall
Bob Warren [email protected]
Business Recruitment&Retention—Chair: Dana Kollewehr Meets 4th Tuesday; 8:30 AM; Chamber of Commerce Lower Level Conference Room, 1 S Harbor
Staff
Diane Sheridan Executive Director [email protected] Vicki Ellis Administrative Assistant [email protected] Ryan Bond, Community Engagement (AmeriCorps VISTA ) [email protected]
Grand Haven Main Street 519 Washington; Grand Haven MI (616) 844-1188 (located on the 2nd Floor at City Hall)
Organization Committee—Chair: Carolyn Taylor Currently meets 3rd Tuesday; 8 AM; Council Chambers, in City Hall, 519 Washington Preservation&Place Committee—Chair: Randy Smith Meets 4th Monday; 8:30 AM; Basement Conference Room in City Hall, 519 Washington Promotions Committee—Chair: Andy Cawthon Meets 3rd Tuesday; 9 AM; Council Chambers in City Hall ArtWalk Planning Committee—Chair: Steve Loftis Meets as needed—contact the office for details.
