City businesses look at ways to profit from festivities
Downtown Uniontown business owners and city officials are trying to find ways for businesses to profit from the festivals and other activities held in town. Representatives from six businesses met Tuesday with officials from the Fayette Chamber of Commerce, Commercial Center Associates and Uniontown Downtown Business District Authority (DBDA) and discussed ideas to help businesses benefit from the festivals.
“These events pull in a captive audience,” chamber Executive Director Muriel Nuttall said.
However, there is no connection between businesses and the events, she said.
“We need you to be able to make that connection back to your business,” Nuttall said.
Donna Eicher of city business Sew Special said people who have attended events and festivals in town have not come to her shop.
Nuttall said shops could distribute flyers or coupons to festivalgoers.
Jessica Hajek of Commercial Center and its non-profit arm, the Fayette Progress Council, said people would be available to pass out the materials if the businesses didn’t have enough staff available.
Ann Detweiler of Pepperberries suggested distributing a pamphlet listing downtown businesses during the events.
Nuttall said the chamber has prepared such a brochure, but she does not yet have the money needed to produce it.
The group also talked about upcoming festivals and other developments.
Hajek said the progress council, chamber and DBDA worked together on the eight events that have already been held this year, and several more are scheduled. For example, Cycles in the City, boxing matches and the farmer’s market were all held downtown July 16.
“It shows we truly can work well together,” Hajek said.
The next major event is the Italian Festival, scheduled for Aug. 7.
Judy Vrabel, acting director of the DBDA, said attendance has been good at the Storey Square Lunch Series, even though it had to be relocated to the Central School lawn due to construction in Storey Square.
Fifty crafters and artists will display their wares at the second annual Arts in the City event, set for Sept. 11, she said.
“We’re going to have some wonderful artists,” Vrabel said.
Art and craft demonstrations will be held hourly, local restaurants will sell food and beverages, bands will perform, and activities are planned for children, she said.
Nuttall said a huge kick-off parade for the 84 Lumber Classic will be held downtown on Sept. 10.
Hajek said she is trying to make arrangements for a shuttle to bring people attending the golf tournament to town.
Chris Decker of Laurel Business Institute told the group that Nov. 4 is the 20th anniversary of the first day of classes at the career school and plans are being made to mark the occasion.
He also said LBI started its first ever retail businesses this year, offering cosmetology and massage services.
Decker said LBI will name a new president this year, and the school plans other changes.
The bad news at the meeting concerned the farmer’s market, held every Saturday in the Public Service Building parking lot.
Hajek said attendance has been poor and only one farmer still shows up.
Bob Garrett of the Community Foundation of Fayette County said the $20 fee to sell produce and other foods could be driving farmers away.
“It costs them nothing to sell along the roads,” Garrett said.
Hajek said she doesn’t collect the fee if farmers aren’t doing much business, but the fee is needed to pay someone to set up for the market.