Urban Renewal – Brand Revival and Vitality
Is your community losing ground? Have you forgotten why you want to stay home for the weekend and visit the local shopping square instead of taking off for the nearest metro-plex? The reason behind your forgetfulness may be the branding strategies (or in most cases, the lack of them) for keeping shoppers home.
Small town shoppers may require a vision or inspiration to spend the afternoon at the local pub instead of walking around inside an air conditioned mall, but with gas prices on an uphill hike, will they need that inspiration long? Consider for a moment what your community offers and why locals might want to spend their time at home.
Environment
Is it inviting and refreshing? Does the local community offer a respite from the stressors and anxiety causes of every day life? Is there a place for down time? Brunch? Relaxation and self renewal? Can your community residents find their way to local events and sites?
Community
Is there a sense of community in the surrounding neighborhood? Do neighbors know each other well enough to babble on about the price of gas over the fenceline? What about a community pot-luck? Are there enough friends to invite yourself and bring your favorite dish where you’ll run into a friendly face? As you wander through the stores on Main Street, does anyone know your name?
Affordability
Is it really cheaper to drive 120 miles to the nearest metro-plex to shop for groceries, essentials, and specialty items, or is there a better, more affordable option? Even if the cost of goods is slightly higher than the big city, the average driver will stay home and pay a higher price in order to get quality? Are you presenting quality?
Tourists
Pretend you’re a tourist for a moment and look around your community. Is there anything worthwhile to do on Saturday afternoon? What about a street-side Art Fair? Music in the square? Tables and booths for local vendors? Historic reminders of your community? An afternoon of yesteryear?
What can you do to improve your community? Who can you invite from the local community of businesses and on-lookers to increase interest in your local community? Is there a gap you’d like to fill in the local establishments? Where can you best see marketing potential in local businesses, and what can you do about it?
Lamar, Colorado offers Santa Fe Trail Frontier Business Innovation with Small Town Atmosphere. If you’re looking for a place to spend your money, your time, or your vacation, consider a visit to the Heart of America!
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