Back to Business – Kent
Main Street Kent
Main Street Kent ordered 96,000 cups for downtown businesses the day after a designated outdoor refreshment area (DORA) was approved. They had pushed DORA for about a year, and COVID-19 finally turned the 31 liquor permit owners’ indifference into excitement. Now, visitors can drink and relax outside downtown businesses.
During COVID-19, Main Street Kent has helped beautify Kent and connect members to resources such as DORA, discount punch cards, and its social media audience. The businesses have cross-promoted each other with products and social media, and they have shared outdoor seating.
During quarantine, Off the Wagon gift shop and Kent Cheesemonger created wine, cheese and puzzle boxes and delivered them to nearby homes. Tree City Coffee staff recently posted a picture wearing masks and holding a Belleria pizza box.
Retailers brainstormed ideas with Main Street Kent at a “Summer Survival” meeting. They agreed more discounts were impossible, but the owner of Tree City Coffee suggested creating a punch card to reward customers for visiting downtown businesses. Milarcik approved the idea and will provide prizes like Main Street Kent mugs.
Milarcik is also exploring the possibility of students using a small percentage of their Kent State Flash IDs at downtown businesses.
While many Main Street directors recorded Facebook Live videos to promote members during quarantine, Milarcik interviewed local businesses via Zoom. She also visited Ray’s Place and posted pictures of its owner and trademark moose head wearing masks. The post gained around 200 interactions.
“If you show people what’s happening, it’ll build confidence,” she says. “People will be more willing to go out knowing that the businesses are being as safe as they can.”
In addition to DORA, the city council approved the use of abutting property for outdoor seating. For example, One Center yoga and meditation was closed during quarantine, but Scribbles Coffee Shop next door set up chairs and tables in their outdoor area.
Every year, Kent has an Adopt-a-Spot program with 35 flower beds sponsored by local businesses for $250. The sponsors or Main Street volunteers plant the flowers, and the city upkeeps the beds for the summer. Because of COVID-19, Milarcik started a GoFundMe campaign to avoid asking local businesses for money. They raised a few thousand dollars and were able to plant the flower beds.
“We were able to let our little guys know that the community has got you covered this year,” she says.
Downtown Kent is known for events such as art walk, and Milarcik highlights how with DORA, visitors can walk around with a drink. She hopes that in the future, they can host outdoor, socially distanced events like the art walk or a downtown putt-putt tournament.
“The plan is to get as much outdoor activity and local-supporting-local promotion as possible,” she says.
Throughout recovery and reopening, Milarcik has encouraged the retailers, sharing information and resources, being positive, and thinking long term.
“Be thoughtful and methodical in making changes, and listen to the medical experts and the guidance of our city and state,” she says. “Think outside the box and rely on your Main Street organization. We are here to help.”
Back to Business — Tiffin
Main Street Tiffin
When The Renaissance of Tiffin remained open during quarantine, it sold more on a Saturday than it had a whole week pre-shutdown. The bourbon bar has succeeded during COVID-19 not only in providing carryout alcohol, but also by expanding into two more ventures: The Renaissance of Tiffin on Wheels, a lavish party bus, and the Pink Lady, a grilled cheese food truck both opened during quarantine.
This is one example of the creativity and business savvy of Main Street Tiffin members during COVID-19. Main Street Tiffin has also reflected this attitude. From auctions to storytimes, Main Street Tiffin has worked to connect businesses to resources and support.
When quarantine began, Main Street Tiffin (the Tiffin-Seneca Economic Partnership) partnered with the Seneca Regional Chamber of Commerce to host an online auction of “firsts.” All proceeds went to the thirty downtown businesses that participated with products and services such as “first drink,” “first haircut” and “first meal indoors” for when the businesses reopen.
In addition, Main Street Tiffin has held regular meetings where business owners can speak virtually with health care professionals and the Seneca County commissioner. Now, Main Street Tiffin will speak about openings and updates on a Tuesday morning radio show.
“As a community, we’ve been good at coordinating efforts,” Director Amy Reinhart says. “Destination Seneca County, the chamber, economic development and the mayor — we’ve all been promoting the businesses.”
With the Tiffin Public Library, Reinhart helped start “Tiffin Tales,” a virtual storytime series. She reached out to downtown business owners, and along with city council members and elected officials, they read storybooks to around 5,000 viewers on Facebook.
“The businesses said they saw a nice uptick of business on the days that their posts were shared by different places,” Reinhart says of the cross-promotion. “The more of a network we have, the more it supports.”
On June 22, the city council approved a designated outdoor refreshment area (DORA) for downtown Main Street Tiffin. Main Street Tiffin had worked on this for over a year — prioritizing customers’ safety and needing to provide restaurants with more resources pushed the council to approve a DORA.
With the city’s park department, Main Street Tiffin brought thirty-two picnic tables downtown and placed them in private and public lots, parking spots and a refurbished alley for people to sit and enjoy their drinks at. The tables are covered in clear plastic with safety measures and instructions listed beneath. Cleaning supplies are provided, and customers have to sanitize and clean their own area.
As Main Street Tiffin supports its businesses, the businesses have also supported each other. JT’s Bagel Shop, Simply Susan’s boutique and Bailiwicks Coffee Company partnered to provide an Eat, Drink, Shop event every Saturday. Many businesses joined to make Tiffin Strong and Support Tiffin t-shirts to benefit downtown businesses and charities. The Chandelier Community Event Center opened its doors for people to eat downtown in their large indoor space while socially distancing.
In the next few months, Reinhart hopes to host the downtown Third Thursday event, the first of which would support frontline workers. In August, she hopes to help retailers by hosting a rewind event with a chocolate walk, St. Patty’s 5k and other events the community has missed.
Reinhart encourages her members to reach out to her with any issues or concerns. She says that supporting each other and sharing business updates is vital now.
“Sharing (updates) among as many people as possible and getting on social media is important,” she says. “Reach out to me when you have struggles or issues — I’ll point you to funding sources, I’ll help you find a loan, we’ll work with bank members. We’ve got a lot of resources at our fingertips.”
Back to Business – Wooster
Main Street Wooster
Flamingo Jack’s food truck hit the streets during quarantine. This Main Street Wooster business sold its unique comfort food in the parking lot of other brick-and-mortar Wooster businesses. The pink and blue truck has served customers outside Lincoln Way Vineyards, Miss Amy’s Cupcakes and Spoon Deli, attracting customers to these businesses and gaining more customers in turn.
This cross-promoting is one example of community in Main Street Wooster. During shutdown, Main Street supported businesses in many ways and will explore even more with its grant funding. As stores reopen, Main Street businesses are taking precautions and relying on Wooster’s small business community.
In early March, Main Street Wooster director Shannon Waller worked with the Convention Visitors Bureau and Chamber of Commerce to create a comprehensive website. It lists open businesses, new hours, and available services and products. It is one place for people to see their options, and administrators continue to update the website.
“That was the biggest success from the get-go to help people continue their revenue streams,” Waller says. “That was helpful in harnessing that community spirit that was already there.”
It also created consistency between the businesses’ online presences.
Along with restaurants and bars collaborating like Flamingo Jack’s, retailers coordinated their hours to encourage customers to visit each other.
The Main Street Wooster team encouraged this cooperative spirit in different ways as requirements and circumstances changed. With only two people in the office, Waller and project coordinator John Benko-Scruggs initially went to visit each business themselves.
“We put on some walking shoes and just pounded the pavement and visited everyone within our area.” Waller says.
When they couldn’t go outside anymore, Waller and Benko-Scruggs contacted the businesses by phone, and left encouraging messages to shuttered businesses.
“If they were on the cusp of closing, we wanted them to let us know before they made an irrevocable decision,” Waller explains. “Because we knew that there were people in the community who would try to get them through it.”
When businesses faced challenges, Waller says Main Street Wooster acted as a clearinghouse to explore any loans available; the chamber of commerce and economic development council created a webinar series about funding opportunities.
Recently, Main Street Wooster wrote encouraging notes to each of the businesses on some old Main Street Wooster postcards Waller found.
“We got some nice responses from people who were just happy for the mood lift they got when they had to stay at home,” she says.
The pair visited each business again to welcome the owners back as they reopened. Waller asked about any specials or hours they would want Main Street Wooster to share, and they discussed what the businesses were hoping for as they reopened.
The businesses worked hard to implement all safety procedures, with employees wearing masks, providing hand sanitizer and early hours for people at risk. Some business owners encourage customers to wear masks while others require it.
“They have family members who are vulnerable or employees with family members who are vulnerable,” Waller says. “They’ve gotten a little bit of push back here and there, but nothing that would intimidate anybody into changing that level of safety.”
Waller explored the possibility of expanding restaurant space with the chamber of commerce, local attorney and restaurateurs. They are hoping to get a designated outdoor refreshment area (DORA) and expand dining areas into closed streets and parking spots.
In May, Main Street Wooster received the Main Street Grills Fund. The first part of the spending plan is to create training videos with the local hospital and health department. They also want to invite business owners to approach health professionals and adapt their business practices.
They are also exploring car-related activities for people to have group experiences while social distancing. They are organizing a cruise-in through decorated downtown and residential areas that would award prizes to best business decorations, residential decorations and car decorations. The procession would end at a pop-up movie theater and local food trucks, and admission would be a $15 receipt from a downtown merchant.
In addition to the training certification, Waller says that all the businesses have at least a time frame and plan for reopening.
“You don’t get into business without being strong, creative and able to solve problems,” she says. “We’ll get through this.”
Back to Business – Piqua
Mainstreet Piqua
The Mainstreet Piqua team captures local business owners’ excitement at reopening with a photo series. The smiling business owners stand in the doorways of shops and restaurants holding “OPEN” signs with precautions listed underneath.
This photo series is one way Piqua businesses have responded and adapted to the restrictions of COVID-19. From encouraging the community on social media to practicing the flexibility typical of small businesses, Mainstreet Piqua has earned both revenue and community support.
The “Open” posters are the combined effort of Mainstreet Piqua, the local chamber of commerce, and the community development organization to prepare businesses to reopen.
“It has generated an incredible amount of traffic on our Facebook page and a lot of love for the businesses,” says Lorna Swisher, executive director of Mainstreet Piqua. “It’s been a very successful way to celebrate the reopening of the businesses.”
Prior to reopening, Swisher says local businesses incorporated local deliveries, online orders and shopping appointments into their business practices.
“The businesses all pivoted very well and really tried to meet their customers where they were at,” she says. “They just rolled with it and made it work for the customer.”
Swisher and the Mainstreet Piqua team have frequently reached out to their members through phone and email.
“As an organization, our goal is to support our businesses as much as we can and to encourage the community to realize the value that these businesses bring to the community,” she says. “When these businesses go away, a part of our community is lost forever.”
She says the local businesses are supporting each other; because they are independent, they know how difficult it is for a business to start out.
Local business owners are relieved to start opening their doors again. Swisher says people will come in and support the business if they know the business cares for the safety of their customers and employees.
“They all do genuinely care,” she says, “If they’re able to show that, I believe that they will be supported by the residents and visitors to the community.”
Back to Business – Medina
Main Street Medina
On April 18, The Raspberry and the Rose gift shop in Main Street Medina reposted All Fired Up’s Facebook Live sale. Along with other small Medina businesses, these small businesses have supported and promoted each other on social media during quarantine.
This is one way local Medina businesses adapted their practices during COVID-19. The businesses generated revenue and support through social media and strengthened the small business community together. As stores reopen, Main Street Medina will post Facebook Live videos of downtown businesses and offer Main Street Medina Bucks to continue building this community.
“Social media is really the best, easiest and most efficient way for them to reach their customers,” says Matt Wiederhold, executive director of Main Street Medina. “It’s also been the best way for us as a Main Street program to directly promote our members.”
Wiederhold says that local retail stores — The Raspberry and the Rose, All Fired Up! Medina, JK Gift Shop and the Gardener’s Cottage — have not only been holding Facebook live sales but also promoting the work of other local businesses.
“We have a lot of women’s boutiques in town, so they’re all in competition with each other,” he says. “It’s been cool to see them cross-promoting each other on Facebook. In an odd way, the isolation has built a community.”
On Fridays starting June 5th, Main Street Medina will be having Facebook Live tours to spotlight local businesses. The team will walk through the district and stop at restaurants and shops for brief tours, meet-and-greets and advertise any sales.
“It’s a way for our member businesses to connect with the people that like our Facebook page,” Wiederhold says. “Rather than just reaching out to their audience, they’ll be reaching out to our audience.”
Beyond social media, Wiederhold says that each of the businesses has adapted to COVID-19 circumstances differently.
“Some businesses are requiring masks, some are putting up barriers at their check out counters, some are limiting the number of people allowed in the store,” he says. “People are picking and choosing from the recommendations of the governor what works for them.”
As a Main Street organization, Wiederhold and his team have been checking in with retailers and business owners frequently to ask how they’ve been doing and encouraging them to stay positive.
“We’ve been reminding people we’ve gone through things like this before,” he says. “This community loves our local stores, they love our square, and we know that when things are somewhat back to a new normal, people will come out, shop and support our businesses.”
People have been hangin eating downtown at three picnic tables the city has added to the square. Main Street Medina also encourages customers to shop downtown with Main Street Medina bucks. These $5 cash vouchers are redeemable at any business listed on the back.
On the opening day of the Farmer’s Market and each week after, ten Main Street Medina Bucks will be given to winners of drawings or passed out at special events.
“It’s a way to get customers into our member businesses and give them direct benefits,” Wiederhold says. “If someone likes a Facebook post, they can win Main Street bucks.”
Wiederhold says that the next two months will be critical to determine the success of small, local businesses. They are now waiting to see how the reopening process will go and whether consumers will be ready to return to businesses or prefer to stay away.
“Know that customers are gonna be edgy and anxious,” he advises. “Be kind and calm, put on a smile, and know that a better tomorrow is coming.”