biz buzz

No, really this time.

After what could be called the longest close-out sale ever witnessed in retail (with the exception of furniture and oriental carpet stores, of course), Glad Rags has shuttered it's doors 11 months after announcing it would close.  There is, of course, much interest and speculation as to what will become of the property, along with the former T. J. Market which recently vacated their space on the same block.  Plans are afoot, so stay tuned.

 

 

I find it most curious that, when opining on the failing health of local business in this moribund economy and the few long standing empty storefronts, it is the landlord that is first and foremost held accountable and much maligned.  Local banking institutions, nervous about lending to potential new businesses, plus the self-imposed collective death grip on our wallets, are summarily ignored or outright dismissed.  I have been in a unique position of late to hear many otherwise rational and responsible people immediately jump to the conclusion that it is the "greedy" property owner who is responsible for all of Old Takoma's woes.  When queried, none of these otherwise intelligent people seem to be aware of the rent relief that has been offered, nor are they aware of the tireless efforts to find and maintain full tenancy, all the while facing their own economic hardship as construction delays loom, sinkholes appear, property taxes continue to come due, and their own bank accounts dwindle.  Somehow, the logic that landlords are losing income with empty spaces seems to have escaped the thought-less reasoning.  Nor, I might add, are the naysayers even familiar with the names of those they malign who have conducted business in this community for decades and have done so honorably.

Of course, there are a few bad apples in the bunch, but is it really fair to blame the entire profession for what ails our town, particularly when the majority of Takoma Park residents are homeowners...i. e., property owners, themselves?

The everchanging landscape of Takoma Park and Takoma, DC isn't all road construction and "for lease" signs.  Put your cell phone on mute (or better yet, turn it off entirely) the next time you make your way to and from the Metro during commuting hours or as you walk your pooch.  Look up, down and all around.  You might be surprised to notice a few, and most welcome, changes to your neighborhood.

 

Eti Seltzer has returned and reopened Rerun in the former Women's Health Center space.

 

Roscoe's is open and serving......libations!  There is nothing like a refreshing mojito on a hot summer's day.

 

Takoma, DC will soon see the opening of the cafe "My Little Bistro" and a much anticipated addition to The Culture Shop.....a wine bar.

 

A new residence?  A storefront?  Neither, rather an illusion and a great work of art.  Artist G. Byron Peck's mural on the Kittner Design Studio building in the heart of Old Takoma.

So next time you are stuck waiting for the road crew to turn the sign from "stop" to "slow", look out your window and take in the changes happening around you.....and in many cases, because of you.

 

Why Takoma Park, Maryland should, could and needs to follow Claremont, California's lead 

In today's economic climate, everyone can relate to the importance of saving money.  Purchases for non-necessities are kept to a minimum, if not eschewed entirely, and deals are sought regardless of a product's price or source.

While this makes sense from a consumer standpoint, looking to save money can have significant consequences to a local community.  To help quell these challenges to independent businesses in cities across the nation, the "3/50 Project" was launched to expand awareness on how consumers spend money.

The premise behind the 3/50 Project is to encourage local residents to pick 3 small businesses within their community and spend $50 a month at each.  This helps ensure their survival amidst economic doubts so prevalent today.  Stickers advertising the campaign rest in store windows, and flyers are available offering statistics about the scope of what the project could mean to local business.

For example, if half the employed U. S. population spent $50 a month in independently run businesses, $42.6 billion in revenue would be raised.  Additionally, for every $100 spent in independently owned businesses, $68 returns to the community through taxes, payroll, and other expenditures.  If the same money were spent at a national chain, only $42 would remain.  When purchases are made online, nothing comes back to the community.

Business owners in Claremont are taking notice.  Joan Bunte, owner of Stamp Your Heart Out in the Village, has been in retail business in Claremont for over 30 years and was the first to bring the 3/50 Project to the attention of the city.  Ms. Bunte first heard about the program through a manufacturing representative and wants to get other businesses involved.  So far, local owners place information about the 3/50 Project in their customer emails and newsletters, with reactions that are generally very receptive.

Ms. Bunte expressed the kind of personal relationships Claremont residents enjoy within their community.  "Claremont shoppers want to identify with stores, they want to know the owner and they want to see your face," she said.

Another Claremont store owner, Sal Medina, who runs the Packing House Wine Merchants in the Village West, said the focus of the program reaches further than his immediate place of business, even while it's indeed his priority.  "...shopping local is something Claremont has always backed, but in this economy, we wanted to tap into the idea that 'Shop Local' is for everybody.  We live in a small community surrounded by small communities, and the need for support is greater than neighborhoods."

The subtitle for the 3/50 Project on its logo reads, "Saving the brick and mortars our nation is built on."  With tough economic times, the goal is ensuring small business will still be there when the climate improves which will require strong community support.

For more information, visit www.the350project.net

(This story was originally published in the July 22, 2009 edition of the Claremont Courier by Sean Pravica.  Reprinted with kind permission from editor Kathryn Dunn and with gratitude to Brenda Bolinger).

It's been 40 years since "Billy" and "Wyatt" were astride their choppers.  Indulging in a bit of cinematic license, one can imagine that they have settled in Takoma Park and are now cruising with the new eGO Cycle 2LX.  Now you can, too. 

The Main Street Program of the Old Takoma Business Association is raffling a new eGO Cycle 2LX electric bike valued at $2,400.00.  Proceeds of the raffle benefit Main Street Takoma, a non-profit program that is responsible for Old Takoma beautification (e.g. graffiti removal, clean up days and plantings), business facade improvement grants, and the Takoma Park Street Festival, to name a few of their many initiatives.

Raffle tickets are available at most Old Takoma businesses including The Big Bad Woof, Now & Then, and The Tranquil Soul.  A prototype of the eGO Cycle 2LX is on view at The Tranquil Soul, located at 7014 Westmoreland, around the corner from The Shampoo.

Tickets are $10 each or 5 for $45.  The drawing will be held on Sunday, October 4 at 5:00 pm during the Takoma Park Street Festival.  You need not be present to win.

C'mon, you know you want to win!

Take the Indie Challenge July 1 - 7

"As we honor our national heritage and liberty, we also celebrate our nation's local independent businesses who have provided opportunity and underwritten community life and prosperity.  It is time to consider the independent decision-making ability each of us possesses to choose the future of the place we make our home."

"Use Independents Week to explore your local independent businesses and see how much of your purchasing for that week you can do with them.  You will keep your money circulating in your community three times longer than spending it at national chains would do, where it leaves immediately for somewhere else.  Every dollar you spend at a local independent business helps your community in many ways" (see the May issue of the Takoma Voice).

(reprinted from the American Independent Business Alliance www.amiba.net)

"We must not, in trying to think about how we can make a big difference, ignore the small daily differences we can make which, over time, add up to big differences that we often cannot foresee." -- Marian Wright Edelman

Two years after arriving in Takoma Park from the family natural foods business in Texas to assume the general manager position of the TP/SS Co-op, Jason Bradford is heading back home to be closer to his family.  It does make on think twice before complaining about one's own commute, doesn't it?

In that short period of time, Jason made an indelible footprint on the Co-op and the Takoma Park community as a whole.  Community involvement is the bedrock behind the co-op's philosophy of doing business and as such, Jason instituted and supported various programs including the Function at the Junction summer concert series and the Earth Day concert series at the co-op along with sponsoring many community activities including the Takoma Park Street Festival and Historic Takoma's annual House & Garden Tour.  Jason felt that the "Old Takoma Business Association is an essential element that every business in Takoma Park should be a part of" and worked closely with the organization on many community-based initiatives.  Jason is "such a genuinely nice, community-focused and professional guy.  We will miss him," said Roz Grigsby, OTBA executive director.

Jason also made "many improvements in the store, including bringing in a new POS (point of sale) system and improving the bottom line of the co-op," noted board President Lorig Charkoudian.  While a search is on for a new general manager, Abdi Guled will serve as the interim GM.  For more information about the position and how to apply, visit www.tpss.org

*****

We also bid a fond farewell to several other people who have made our daily lives in Takoma Park just a little bit sweeter.  Alex Wild, barista extraordinaire, is leaving Savory Cafe and Takoma Park to head to the wilds of Eugene, Oregon and graduate school.  Not only did Alex spearhead Poetry Open Mic Nights every Monday at Savory, she brought to her customers an inviting smile and welcoming personality par excellence.

Video Americain, and us by extension, are losing two great advocates of film and community spirit in Jeremy Armstrong and Michael Bradley.  Like Alex, Jeremy is heading to Oregon at the end of June (hmm, maybe they know something we don't?), though he and his wife will be settling in Portland.  We hope to see Jeremy in the near future when his wife's young adult novel, Putting Makeup on Dead People is published.  No doubt Takoma Park will throw them a fabulous book party.  Michael, co-owner of Video Americain, leaves with a heavy heart and the realization that the brick and mortar video store has moved past the endangered species list to being on life support.  With his guidance, he brought Takoma Park residents his unparalled expertise and taste in film that you simply will not find in other stores or online.

You have all made your mark in Takoma Park, we are indebted to your service and we will miss you all greatly!  Thank You!

*****

Not to be a completely gloomy gus, we rejoice in the return of Eti Seltzer and Rerun Vintage which reopened its doors on Friday, May 29 in the former Takoma Thrift space (or as we old timers remember, the Women's Health Center) located at 7005 Carroll Avenue (301-891-1008).  Do stop in and welcome Eti back with an open heart....and wallet.

This picture has absolutely nothing to do with anything except that I couldn't resist posting it.  This is Kisses, the Wonder Yorkie.  She has been staying with my neighbor for a couple of months and has stolen my heart.  Future blogs may have to be done from the road as I will no doubt be on the lam after having stolen her when her rightful "owner" comes to collect her.  Hmm, I probably shouldn't have publicized that.

Well anyway.....though I consider myself to be highly developed (in certain departments, anyway), I just can't quite get a grasp on commercial development.  I took a little road trip to National Harbor today to see what's what before Mr. Disney comes to town.  As far as the Disney empire arriving in our area, well that's a discussion for another time.  Having grown up 15 minutes away from Disneyland (depending on who's doing the driving, that is), I have a rather complicated love/hate relationship with them that my therapist and I continue to explore.

Well anyway.....I am not sure I understand the concept of National Harbor.  Granted, it isn't finished yet so I shouldn't pass judgement, but then where's the fun?  It seems that in building this faux community, they forgot the community.  There are currently three condominium complexes and no doubt more on the way (but at what prices?), a convention center, hotels, and a smattering of restaurants, cafes, and shops, all of which are chains.  There is, however, no neighborhood. There is nothing intrinsic or organic to the area.  There lacks that certain je ne sais quoi that makes one (or at least me) want to visit and explore a new place.  Sigh!   At least there wasn't a Starbucks.......yet.

Well anyway.....  

Turning an old standby into a new treasure

 

In this day and age, it really is unconscionable to be wasteful.  Before throwing anything away, we are beholden to ask ourselves if there is any way to turn our old goods into something new to reduce our ever growing landfills.

With this in mind, I offer up my version of the four R's.  Zoe Stern of S&A Beads designed the necklace using blue pearls, Scott Stanga of The Stillpoint Mind and Body who, along with being Old Takoma's most sought after personal trainer is also a very talented silversmith, set the centerpiece of the necklace, and Samir Naik, DDS provided said centerpiece.  Yes, Dr. Naik is my dentist and the focus of the necklace is indeed my tooth.  Or, more specifically, my fourth and final (here's hoping) temporary crown.  Oh, don't be so squeamish!  It was professionally cleaned and polished.

Suffice it to say, there is a much less expensive and destructive way to deal with the stress of everyday life than grinding one's teeth, but having learned that lesson a day late and thousands of dollars short, at least I have a rather elegant looking memento to show for it.  And the renewed ability to chew.

 

The Intersection of Movement and Play

Oh, if only I were a child again!  Then I, too, could crawl through the giant caterpillar tunnel, jump on the trampoline, roll around on the cushioned floor and pretend I was playing fort. 

 

Misu Byrd opened Roda Playspace in April, envisioning a place where a parent (or two) and a child (or several) can come together for a few hours during the week to play, laugh, roll around on the floor and connect. 

Sharing not only the same space as Roda Movements, but also the same guiding spirit, joy and love of teaching, Roda Playspace is designed to get the littlest ones bouncing, tumbling, moving and grooving.  Mom and Dad, too!

 

Roda Playspace * 7003 Carroll Avenue * Takoma Park, MD  20912 * 301-920-4057

Tuesdays and Thursdays * 10:00 am - 1:00 pm * Ages 4 months to 3 1/2 years

for more information, please visit www.rodaplayspace.com