Re-Vitalizing Boutiques In Communities

Mainstreets across America provide the heartbeat to communities and the people that live within them. It’s the charm – or lack of it – that helps shape a community from being idealistic or non-ideal at all. With this in mind, it’s sad to know that so many downtown districts in urban, suburban and rural areas are becoming less and less appealing. Storefronts are closing left and right, and what stay open often become beat up looking and create dust on their shelves. Certainly this ugly truth isn’t the truth for everyone – thankfully – but for those that it is, it’s heartbreaking and unfortunate. So just how do you help an ailing community from losting it’s heartbeat?

For starters, look at your community through the eyes of both a consumer and a business owner. Ask yourself the following questions:

1. Does the landscape of this community make you feel welcomed?

2. Are you attracted to the layout and flow of this general community? Why or why not? 

3. Do storefronts look well kept – both in and out of their stores? 

4. Do vacancies look like they have been vacant forever – or do they show signs of being kept clean and up to date to attract new tenants? 

5. Are existing stores ones that you would either shop at or refer someone to shop at? 

These answers alone will get your thoughts rolling as to what is missing in your community. Together with other residents or interested consumers and business owners, brainstorm ways to improve the cons on your combined lists. Through a volunteer driven program, you can begin to make a difference… one storefront at a time. With some TLC, people will take notice and more good will follow.

One of the key partners you will want on your side here are the landlords and commercial property owners of your town. With their support and your encouragement, you can create affordable “entry” plans to get retailers into storefronts. For example, if a landlord is willing to comp six months rent to help kickstart their first signed tenant, this will act as  domino effect to get more tenants signed. The first new space is always the hardest to land, so collaborate on how you can do this together. Besides… six months empty with no store or six months empty with a signed contract for a couple years is really a better option, right?

Beyond building a team to kickstart this movement, you will need experts to help support your retail owners. Find mentors, consultants, area busiess owners and other professionals in nearby communities who can help fill this role. Community colleges are another great resource since many have small business development programs.

Still not convinced there is room to re-vitalize your community? The only thing holding this back are the lack of people willing to do it. So be that voice in your community to get this started. Mainstreets everywhere will forever be grateful.