Turning Around Downtown: Twelve Steps to Revitalization – November 18

Merchants, Restaurateurs, Small Business Owners, Artists, and others involved in the community around Petersburg are invited to attend an Open House hosted by Petersburg Old Towne Merchants Group. The meeting will take place Wednesday, November 18, 2009, from 6:00 to 7:30pm. at Old Towne Catering Company, 9 West Old Street in Petersburg. The purpose of […]

November 17, 2009; 4:04 PM • by mari

Merchants, Restaurateurs, Small Business Owners, Artists, and others involved in the community around Petersburg are invited to attend an Open House hosted by Petersburg Old Towne Merchants Group. The meeting will take place Wednesday, November 18, 2009, from 6:00 to 7:30pm. at Old Towne Catering Company, 9 West Old Street in Petersburg.

The purpose of the open house is to bring together Downtown Petersburg business professionals and other stakeholders from around the community, and share ways to promote Petersburg in a business-friendly manner.

In addition to networking and social time, the group will be hosting a discussion based on “Turning Around Downtown: Twelve Steps to Revitalization”, a paper written by Christopher Leinberger of the Brookings Institute.

The essay maps out, in a very compelling manner, not “pie in the sky” city planning ideas, but the specific revitalization activities that have historically succeeded in bringing back some of the most blighted neighborhoods in the country.

One of the most difficult missions of an emerging business community is to overcome not just depressed economic times, but negative messages, past impressions, and doubts about future success.

Despite the economic downturn, Petersburg continues to catch the eye of entrepreneurs and investors from around the area. Traditionally, restored historic districts such as Old Towne are considered major assets and anchors in economic revival efforts. Old Towne is not just a benefit to the businesses who locate there, but to the city and region as a whole.

Steve Perez, a spokesman for the Merchants Group, says, “The economy continues to be a drag on the morale of business communities everywhere. It’s easy to lose heart, especially in Petersburg when the city is striving to revitalize. But now is not the time to give up.”

Old Towne Merchants like to reflect that they have been the regional center of commerce since 1675, and despite the fact that Petersburg has been attacked by armies, depressions, floods, tornadoes, and recessions, history shows that the community is far stronger than all of them.

The Merchants Group is also an active chapter of the Retail Merchants Association, a regional organization dedicated to bringing support and resources to retailers throughout central Virginia, and has much to offer the Petersburg entrepreneur. The Retail Merchants Association will be in attendance at the Open House as well.

For information about Old Towne Merchants Group, go to www.oldtownepetersburg.com or email info@oldtownepetersburg.com.

November 17, 2009 4:04 PM 0