IDEA Members Seek Ways to Help North Adams
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| IDEA members meet at the Cup and Saucer in North Adams. |
Well, maybe not. But certainly Mayor John Barrett III wasn't quite prepared for the response he got from the some two dozen local artists and businesspeople facing him at the monthly IDEA meeting.
Barrett, as he as countless times over the years, ticked off the litany of things the city's done over the past decades to lift itself from the pit of its industrial past.
Instead of asking what more government could do for them, however, the group's members began asking what they — as citizens and local businesses — could do for North Adams.
How could they help keep the city clean, how could they get their neighors to do the same, and how could they get the word out about what's happening in North Adams?
"One of the reasons I came here was to find out how I can volunteer," said Hope Nilsson, a transplant from Boston who moved here 2 1/2 years ago. "I'm happy to do things but I don't know what to do and I don't even know who to ask or where to go."
IDEA (Individuals Developing Entrepreneurial Alliances) was established last year as a networking and cooperative platform for established and startup businesses. The membership, drawn from the North Berkshires, meets once a month for workshops and brainstorming sessions from fall to spring.
Its membership ranges from artists to manufacturers to restaurateurs to home-run businesses.
Many of those attending Wednesday's brainstorming session on North Adams appeared to be relative newcomers when it came to the region or to having businesses here. The attitude was upbeat — and the focus on generating a more welcoming and productive city.
Barrett was joined on the panel by Lois Daunais of Papyri Books and Jack Nogueira of the soon-to-open The Alley nightclub and eatery.
Both said businesses could succeed in North Adams despite the economic climate.
"You have to be willing to work hard and be willing to be creative," said Daunais, noting both she and her husband, Michael, have jobs besides running the city's only bookstore. "If you're not getting enough people coming into your business, you have to be creative to make it work."
Daunais' daughter and son-in-law operated the store for a year before the couple bought a building on Eagle Street that now houses the bookstore, their home and a second space they plan to rent.
'Eyes Wide Open'
They settled on North Adams because they were intrigued by its transformation from mill town to artists' haven, while taking into account the likely pitfalls. "We came here with our eyes open."
Nogueira and his son Keith are opening The Alley in the space more recently occupied by Gideon's Nightery and its successor, EGL.
He, too, is bullish on the city, and believes The Alley can be successful — despite his lender's worries.
His bank didn't have a problem with buying the building but was hesitant about backing the restaurant because of the failures of its predecessors. "I don't understand why they went out and I don't care," said Nogueira. "The business is there.
"My focus is not to make it the best restaurant in the city but to have a place where professional people can go to have a drink, something to eat and be entertained."
With a heavy contingent of Eagle Street business owners at the meeting, the focus tended to fall on the historic lane. Several merchants proposed petitioning owners of nearby vacant buildings to invest in the properties, an idea that was welcomed by others as well as the mayor.
But Barrett cautioned that government can only do so much - such as improve the infrastructure - and it can't be the only agent for change.
"I do not think I should be leading the charge," he said. "Government can set the table and, hopefully, it can bring people to the table, but the private sector has to do it."
Members also discussed creating a brochure about the area's shops and activities; being more proactive in engaging in activities that draw people to the downtown, such as the annual Winterfest and bed racing; forging stronger links with the Mayor's Office of Tourism to be aware of volunteer opportunities and to prevent duplicating efforts; and better communicating with City Hall.
Jill Drummond, a founding member of IDEA, wrote down each suggestion on a large pad so they could be pursued further.
The general consensus seemed to be that it was necessary to work together to create a thriving, attractive community, and business was willing take the lead where it could.
"They say to attract you need to be attractive," said Barrett of the city. "I believe in visions, of bringing the community together to make it happen."
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