In September the BIA held a business mixer and got feedback from business owners and operators that attended. Here are some of the results. To see the full minutes or attend a meeting please follow the BIA meetings posted on the Town of Essex website. There meetings are now moved from Tuesday nights to Wednesday nights at 6:00 and are usually held at the Essex arena.
Now more than ever it is important to support local with our dollars. Please take the time to read the what feedback our businesses are sharing and as always please try to choose local, choose Essex!
https://townofessex-pub.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=21695
Mixer Survey Report Summary
Key Findings:
- Top Priorities:
o Amphitheatre in Heritage Park: Ranked as the most important project, highlighting strong community
support for enhancing cultural and recreational opportunities.
o Downtown Sound System: Also identified as a high priority, suggesting significant interest in improving
public events and community gatherings.
o Parkette at 49 Talbot St. N and Additional Garbage and Recycling Receptacles: Both received favorable
rankings, indicating community interest in enhancing green spaces and promoting sustainability. - Lower Priorities:
o Downtown Murals/Art Installations: Ranked as the least important project, indicating limited interest.
This category may require further evaluation to understand community perceptions.
o Additional Season Décor: This received low rankings, indicating it may not be a priority right now or that
there’s already plenty of décor in place.
Conclusion
The survey results provide a clear direction for capital investment, emphasizing community priorities that focus on
enhancing public spaces and services.
Summary of Challenges Faced by Small Business Owners in Downtown
Greatest Challenges:
- Cash Flow: The top concern, indicating financial management issues.
- Marketing and Promotion: Many business owners struggle with effectively promoting their offerings.
- Hiring Talented People: Attracting and retaining skilled employees is a significant challenge.
- Increasing Brand Awareness: Many are focused on making their brands more recognizable.
- Balancing Quality and Growth: Maintaining high standards while expanding is a common issue.
- Lack of Funds: Access to financial resources poses a barrier for growth.
- Market Competition: Competing with other businesses is a noted concern
Challenges that were also identified:
- Lack of Parking
- Minimum Wage Increases
- Attracting New Clients
- Making Connections
Suggestions for Capital and Beautification Projects in Essex Centre
We asked local business owners and community members to share their thoughts on capital and beautification projects
the BIA could take on to improve their properties and the look of Essex Centre.
Key Suggestions
- Cigarette Butt Disposal and Additional Garbage Cans:
o Respondents emphasized the need for more disposal options to maintain cleanliness and promote
responsible waste management. - Consistency in Exterior Design:
o A call for uniformity in the look and feel of building exteriors was noted, as it contributes to a cohesive
aesthetic throughout Essex Centre. - Digital Commercial Displays:
o The introduction of digital displays could enhance marketing opportunities for local businesses and attract
visitors. - Addressing Space Between Buildings:
o Suggestions to close the gap between the Talbot Street Pharmacy and the Goat building highlight a desire
for improved aesthetic appeal. - Seasonal Décor and Waste Management:
o There is interest in seasonal decorations alongside better garbage and recycling receptacles, which can
enhance the area’s visual appeal throughout the year. - Window Lighting:
o Implementing creative window lighting solutions was suggested to add vibrancy and attract attention to
local businesses. - Signage Grants:
o A proposal for a signage grant to improve business signage was made, aiming to boost visibility and
enhance branding efforts. - Tree Removal:
o Some respondents suggested removing the tree in front of Talbot Street North, likely for reasons related to
visibility or space utilization. - Praise for the New Streetscape:
o Positive feedback regarding the new streetscape indicates appreciation for recent improvements and a
desire to build on this momentum. - Healing or Community Wellness Garden:
o A proposal for a healing garden or community wellness garden reflects a growing interest in green spaces
that promote well-being and community engagement.
Conclusions:
The feedback from everyone involved shows a wide range of ideas for making Essex Centre even better through various
projects. The focus on keeping things clean, having a consistent look, and creating welcoming public spaces highlights our
shared goal of building a lively and attractive community.
Ideas for Marketing and Promotional Projects to Benefit Essex Centre
Businesses were asked to share their thoughts on potential marketing and promotional projects that the BIA could
implement to benefit both individual businesses and the Essex Centre community. The feedback brought in a mix of
creative and inclusive suggestions that focus on boosting community engagement and shining a spotlight on local
businesses.
Key Suggestions
- Block Parties on Main Street:
o People suggested having block parties a bit off the main street to keep things running smoothly for
businesses, while still offering fun activities. Heritage Park could be a great spot for this! - More Inclusive Advertising:
o There is a strong call for advertising that reflects the diversity of the community and ensures all businesses
are represented. - Open Streets for Seasonal Events:
o Hosting open street events where all businesses can join in would encourage community fun and help
bring in more shoppers. - Social Media Spotlight for Businesses:
o Highlighting individual businesses on social media could boost their visibility and promote what they have
to offer. - Increased Social Media Engagement:
o Respondents expressed a need for more social media efforts to create buzz around Essex Centre and its
businesses. - Radio Advertising:
o Utilizing radio as a marketing tool was mentioned multiple times, highlighting its potential to reach a wider
audience and promote community events. - Stroll the Street Events:
o The idea of organizing stroll-the-street events was noted, providing an opportunity for residents and
visitors to explore local shops and enjoy a festive atmosphere. - Exploring Off-Main Street Opportunities:
o Encouragement to explore marketing initiatives that highlight businesses located off the main street could
help diversify traffic and awareness. - Ongoing Promotion of Downtown:
o A consistent effort to promote downtown Essex Centre as a whole was identified as essential to attract
visitors and support local businesses. - Enhanced Social Media Posts and Promotions:
o More frequent and engaging social media posts were recommended to keep the community informed and
excited about local events and offerings.
Conclusions:
The insights gathered from stakeholders reveal a strong desire for collaborative, engaging, and inclusive marketing
strategies that not only promote individual businesses but also enhance the overall appeal of Essex Centre.
Feedback for the BIA Board of Directors
We asked businesses to share their thoughts with the Board of Directors, welcoming both positive feedback and
constructive criticism. The responses reflect a mix of appreciation for the BIA’s efforts, suggestions for improvement, and
insights into the community’s evolving needs.
Positive Feedback
- Engagement and Support:
o Many respondents praised the BIA for effectively engaging local businesses and fostering a sense of
community. Comments highlighted the positive shift in the BIA’s direction and the friendly atmosphere
created for newcomers. - Community Events:
o The mixers and events like Santa’s Village and the StreetFest received particular acclaim. Participants
noted that these initiatives provide valuable networking opportunities and enhance community spirit. - Communication Efforts:
o Several respondents expressed appreciation for the BIA’s presence on social media and efforts to connect
small businesses, acknowledging the hard work involved in these initiatives. - Support for New Owners:
o New business owners specifically noted the helpfulness of BIA members in answering questions and
providing guidance, making their transition into the community smoother.
Constructive Criticism - Event Ticket Sales:
o A suggestion was made to sell tickets for events like the Sip n’ Shop at multiple businesses or to rotate
participating locations each year to increase engagement and exposure. - Communication Challenges:
o Some respondents mentioned issues with emails ending up in junk folders and expressed a desire for
more inclusive benefits that cater to all businesses. A few indicated they could benefit from becoming
more involved with the BIA. - Clarity on BIA’s Role:
o A respondent noted uncertainty regarding the BIA’s functions, suggesting that clearer communication
about the organization’s purpose and activities could enhance engagement.
