by Max Marbut
Staff Writer
Which comes first, the chicken or the egg?
In the case of Downtown business, that question might take the form of “Do customers follow retail or does retail follow customers?”
That was one of the questions that came up at a meeting facilitated by Downtown Vision Inc. (DVI) to introduce Downtown retailers to the services available through the Small Business Development Center (SBDC) at the University of North Florida.
The SBDC is a 26-year-old program that serves 18 counties in Florida and is funded in part by the United States Small Business Administration. The staff provides counseling and guidance to people who wish to start or maintain a small business.
The meeting was part of DVI’s effort to promote retail development in the Business Improvement District both in terms of attracting new retail businesses and maintaining the incumbent businesses.
Certified Business Analyst Janice Donaldson, who is the SBDC’s regional director for North Florida, said the organization has a variety of resources available to business owners from assistance in creating a basic business plan to evaluating how your business is faring financially compared to the national average based on products or services offered.
She also said the SBDC doesn’t serve only new or proposed businesses.
“If you’re already in business and succeeding, you know what works for your customers,” said Donaldson. “we can help you fine-tune your marketing strategy.”
The meeting, held at 3 p.m. on President’s Day, was attended by only four Downtown retailers, despite an aggressive effort on DVI’s part to invite every business owner or manager to attend.
Terry Lorince, executive director of DVI, said 250 notices were hand-delivered to businesses to inform them of the date, time and location of the meeting. This week’s gathering was the second in a series for retailers, and having the meetings on Monday was the result of surveying retailers to determine which day of the week and what time would best fit their schedules.
“We know we have to do a strong outreach to get people to come (to the meetings),” said Lorince. “That’s why we don’t depend on e-mail notices or posting flyers.
“But it’s really consistent with other merchants association meetings I have attended. Even if there are dozens of retailers involved, it’s just about always a small group that actually participates.”
Following the presentation from the SBDC, the meeting became a forum for the retailers to discuss their opinions about what Downtown needs in order to attract more retailers and support the ones who already open their doors.
“We can have all the information we can get, but until we find a way to make Downtown a retail destination, it won’t matter,” commented Gail Carter, who owns Ga’la Car Boutique & Beaute Salon at 44 W. Monroe St. She has been in business Downtown since 1986 and said the low level of traffic even affects her ability to recruit and retain stylists.
“They’re not sure they’ll be able to make enough money working here,” said Carter.
Roy Thomas, co-owner of Jacobs Jewelers, said he has been Downtown since 1960 and believes what needs to come Downtown is what’s called in the shopping center industry an “anchor tenant.”
“When the major department stores were Downtown, they were the driving force behind retail. They did lots of advertising and decorated Downtown for the holidays. That brought lots of people and traffic,” he said. “The smaller retailers followed the majors when they moved to the suburban malls.”
Springfield was well represented at the meeting – not retailers, but realtors and the neighborhood’s most active developer.
Mack Bissette, CEO of SRG Homes & Neighborhoods, said he was at the meeting because Springfield residents have a vested interest in the health of Downtown retail.
“We’re beginning to develop retail in Springfield, but right now we depend on Downtown,” said Bissette. “We go to the Sports Complex, we go to the Florida Theatre, we go to the eye doctor and to the dentist Downtown.
“I get up on Sunday morning and head to Starbucks to get the New York Times and then go right back to Springfield,” he added. ”We shop Downtown more than people who live in Riverside or San Marco because we’re only five or six blocks away.”
Lorince said the next meeting for retailers is scheduled for March 10 and notices will be delivered to merchants when the time and location have been determined. City Council member Jay Jabour, owner of Karl’s Clothiers, has been invited to share his experiences with the San Marco merchants association.