Would a one-way Main Street help downtown business?
What about inviting merchants to city events downtown?
The two were among several ideas floated by downtown business owners Saturday, as two members of the Economic Development Commission toured Main Street shops to get input from the business community.
“We’re trying to have a tight business community in the face of a tough economy,” said John Marini, a city alderman and member of the EDC.
Marini and EDC chairman Pat Henri walked along Main Street for a couple hours Saturday morning, meeting with bakers, pet groomers, upholsterers — anyone whose door was open.
The “face-time” was part of a push from the newly revived commission to build a stronger business community.
Marini and Henri brought business surveys with them to hand out. The Economic Development Commission recently mailed to surveys to about 600 businesses on a city list, in hopes of finding out more about what city business owners want from the city. The surveys also will help the commission update its contact list.
“We want to start that foundation,” Marini said. “At least, we need to know who’s an active business and who’s not.”
The city’s Economic Development Commission had fallen inactive in the past couple of years, until the city revived it last April.
Since then, member have taken state officials on a tour of potential movie set sites, created the business survey and updated a business section on the city’s website. The commission is now working toward a business forum for any business owner in the city to come and meet with officials.
The goal is to help businesses succeed and remain in Ansonia, and to build a sense of community among the owners.
Face Time
They have to start somewhere. The business survey — and street campaign — seemed the place.
“We see this as an opportunity to open up a dialogue,” Marini said.
Business owners Saturday were more than happy to talk.
“Is there any money available?” Eddy’s Bake Shop co-owner Paul Ciocca asked, noting his awnings need repair. He also suggested signs at Target that let shoppers know of the downtown shops.
“I think many people, those getting drawn to Target now, don’t know what’s down here,” Ciocca said.
Stuart Williams, owner of Lewis Jewelers, said the city needs to help come up with ideas to fill vacant storefronts, and drive more customers to downtown.
He suggested looking toward towns with successful business communities, which host weekend shopping nights and other events.
“We need ways to keep people in town, and not traveling to stores in the malls,” Williams said.
Other suggestions included making sure the streets were clean, targeting vacant building owners, pressing blight concerns and offering tax incentives for new businesses.
The business survey is posted below. Ansonia business owners are asked to fill out the survey and return it to the Economic Development Director at Ansonia City Hall.
EDC SURVEY FINAL
