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Retailers stress working together
New DRMI leaders take a crack at downtown challenges
Date published: 6/25/2009
BY EMILY BATTLE The shops should be open later. Something should be done to attract University of Mary Washington students. There is a need for more special events. City residents and downtown merchants have been saying things like this for years about Fredericksburg's central business district. With its latest roster of new officers, Downtown Retail Marketing Inc. is hoping it can bring a more unified and businesslike approach to these problems. Bonnie DeLelys of the Richard Johnston Inn took over as DRMI's interim president in May. Benjamin Walker had just been elected president of the group in February but resigned last month for personal reasons. DeLelys said her biggest goal is to get all of the different types of downtown businesses--from restaurants to antique shops to clothiers--working together on the challenges facing the district. High on that list are the empty storefronts along Caroline and other downtown streets. DeLelys said she thinks downtown needs more high-end, unique shops that are different from the types of shops it already has to fill the vacancies. She wants DRMI to take a more direct role in working with property owners to offer rents that entice new retailers and working with the city to see what kinds of incentives it could bring to the table. She is also researching possible initiatives that could help shop owners, such as the possibility of downtown merchants getting group health insurance, or talking to banks about whether DRMI members could get a discount on credit card transaction fees if they went in as a group. For years, area residents have suggested that downtown needs more life after 5 p.m. DeLelys said she hopes the opening of the Courtyard by Marriott on Caroline Street will provide an impetus for more shop owners to try keeping more consistent evening hours. Mayor Tom Tomzak, who has tried in the past to convene discussion groups to energize downtown, said he's met with the new officers and is hopeful they can make some progress. "It seemed like they would be a little more immune to the adolescent behavior that has obstructed so much of the progress downtown," Tomzak said. "They understand that the downtown merchants have to take responsibility and pull together." One small change that the new leadership has made is to move the DRMI meetings from evening cocktail events to morning coffee meetings, which DeLelys hopes will be more conducive to getting things done. "My focus is to have every business in historic downtown Fredericksburg join our group," DeLelys said. "I want to see us working together as a unified group." Emily Battle: 540/374-5413
Read more stories about Fredericksburg Date published: 6/25/2009
+ WIN
(posted by
Einstein
, June 29, 2009 12:38 pm)
Occupied rooms means people on the street after 5 pm downtown. The Marriott will have not have any dining, other than a Starbucks -- giving a boost to local restaurants(Eiieens closed at 5 pm) The Marriott will employ close to 120 people -- jobs. It will generate tax revenue. As a conference and event venue it will host people who might not not otherwise ever make it downtown. To say aesthetically that that Marriott hinders downtown more than empty store fronts -- is well -- kind of nutty.
On the + side; Answers
(posted by
Rebecca22193
, June 27, 2009 10:41 am)
"...how is the hotel making landlords raise rents?" Ask any customer or employee of Eileen's why it moved to the other side of town. They will tell you candidly. I'm sure they're not the only ones. "....more than empty store fronts?" Yes -- more than empty store fronts. And it wll be there for many years -- just like the "highrise."
On the + side; Answers
(posted by
Rebecca22193
, June 27, 2009 10:41 am)
"...how is th ehotel making landlrods raise rents?" Ask any customer or employee of Eileen's why it moved to the other side of town. They will tell you candidly. I'm sure they're not the only ones. "....more than empty store fronts?" Yes -- more than empty store fronts. And it wll be there for many years -- just like the "highrise."
On the "+" side
(posted by
Einstein
, June 26, 2009 5:06 pm)
there are 100 rooms. How many people will it bring downtown: more than there are now. Exactly how is the hotel making landlords raise rents? Exactly how is the hotel running businesses out of town? The hotel will provide jobs, tax revenue, a place for conferences, meetings and events; a place for visitors to stay downtown; and be part of Marriott corporate advertising as a destination. Hinder downtown appearance -- more than empty store fronts?
I wish you the best, but don't count on the Marriott
(posted by
Rebecca22193
, June 26, 2009 10:19 am)
I just don't get why some folks seem to think the Marriott will save us. Realistically, how many rooms are there? How many people will that add to downtown in an evening? How often will the hotel be filled to capacity? Keep in mind that this very hotel is causing property owners to raise rents and run local businesses out of town. Is there a City Residents First and/or Living Wage requirement for employees? What exactly does the hotel do for residents other than hinder the appearance of Downtown?
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