Frustrated Eagle Street Merchants Planning Action
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According to Timothy Lanfair, the owner of Dragonflii Clothing Co., the group has already had one "official" meeting but it's the agenda for the next meeting — scheduled for this Wednesday — that has sparked a real interest.
"It seems like I really started something here," said Lanfair, who is working closely with other business owners to start the fledgling organization.
The major topic of discussion is building a relationship with the Berkshire Chamber of Commerce to help promote and support the businesses who line the historic street. The chamber's President and CEO Michael Supranowicz has agreed to attend and Lanfair said he'd received more than 30 e-mails in two days concerning the chamber's role in bolstering business.
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"I've been here for eight months and I've never had anyone come in here. I just feel like these people aren't taking an active role," said Lanfair. "If the Chamber of Commerce isn't working for us or promoting us, they should be."The Berkshire Chamber of Commerce operates out of an office in Pittsfield and has been criticized in the past for neglecting North County businesses. The Northern Berkshire Chamber, which was headquartered in the city, merged with the Berkshire Chamber seven years ago. Williamstown has its own chamber of commerce.
For Lanfair, getting the Berkshire Chamber involved in attracting attention to the small business district is just one issue up for discussion on Wednesday.
"Our other big topic is transportation issues," said Lanfair.
Lanfair said getting tourists from the Massachusetts Museum of Contemporary Arts — "Only three blocks away!" — is a priority for the merchants and they're considering their options when it comes to providing the necessary transportation.
"Mass MoCA is the draw but now we need to know how to get them from there to here," said Lanfair, who intends to discuss the possibility of using the city's historic trolley as a shuttle.
With four new businesses — Dragonflii, the Bark 'n' Cat, Papyri Books and A & M Home Decor — settling on Eagle Street within the last year, the association seeks to both develop a uniform logo for the street and to find power in numbers.
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"I think the merchants have two problems. First, it's difficult for us to meet because we're running our own businesses or working other jobs to support our businesses and second, we haven't yet defined our goals," said Lois Daunis, who owns Papyri Books with her husband, Michael. "My hope for this meeting is to work on some short-term goals."The group is working with a designer to create a logo for the street and to set up an area that business owners can use to display their brochures in one common space. Additionally, the meeting will act as a brainstorming session to consider creative ideas for outdoor entertainment and events for the upcoming summer tourist season.
Some of the concepts were broached at an IDEA meeting in April.
"There's no road map to what we see and how to get there and we need one. I'm in love with Eagle Street and I see great things for it but we need to find a unified voice," said Lanfair.
Many of the merchants have expressed concern about the property at 30 Eagle St., referred to as the Manuel building for the family that owns it. The late 19th-century structure should be a gem on the street but is instead regarded as an eyesore. Listed for sale on the Internet by the owners for $350,000, the building's two ground-level commercial spaces are unoccupied.
"One thing affects us all," said Lanfair. "I'd love to see someone buy it and do something with it."
With so many issues on the table for discussion, Lanfair and Daunis were quick to note that the focus of the group is clear.
"We need to give people a good reason to come down to Eagle Street. We have to get the word out there," said Daunis. "I'd like the merchants to work together to define the street."City Councilor and Hoosac Bank Vice President Richard Alcombright has been working with the group, first out of curiosity and now as a resource who's familiar with the downtown scene.
"Anything they do as merchants to help market their stores is a wonderful thing. Some of their goals are easily attainable and some could reap some serious benefits. They're energetic, creative people and I think a lot can be gained from these meetings," Alcombright said.
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