Downtown Local Independant Business Project
I finally can start contributing to the downtown core in a more meaningful way. Over the past few years, bureaucracy and organization took precedent over nuts and bolts improvements. Now all of that is important and I commend the entire board for working on that as it can at times be “soul sucking”
However, after 1.5 years as chair and 1.5 years as past chair, I’ve paid my dues in that respect. Now, what I’d like to see is that organization replace committee’s with task forces that are issue specific. I’ve made the motion a few times but it seems like too big a change all at once.
So, yesterday at the marketing committee level, I started my own little task force or what I call “an army of one” Now remember the disclaimer, I’m am simply a volunteer working to contribute to the downtown and am not a representative of the DWBIA in any way. My views are my own and I’m just here to help
After attending a Calgary Marketing Workshop (4 hours). My notes from the seminar are here
The importance of promoting individual businesses vs. the downtown brand was reinforced.
To do this I am starting a project assembling the following information on as many downtown businesses as I can:
two paragraph synopsis of what makes that business unique and distinct and an attraction to draw people from the entire region and beyond. This unique and distinct selling position can be as follows and can include one or more of the items
1. What about the owner/operator makes him an expert in his field, another area or local celebrity.
2. Is the the business currently or can it become be the best in the world at some “Micro Niche”
3. What is unique and distinct about that business?
Using my own business as an example (Now remember, I get that certain people will think of this as about ego, but we’re talking Trump’s strategy. This is about promoting many individual businesses, and the best way to compete with the nameless faceless national chain is to promote the owner/operator. Remember, this is only a first draft and will be vetted and rewritten by a far more experienced copywriter.
Mark Boscariol, referred to by city councillors as Windsor’s “Downtown Guru” has become what Ted Whip refers to as Windsor’s Restaurant Impresario to work with Chanoso’s and Oishii’s creator Eric Donoso on a downtown Windsor Landmark.
Chanoso’s 11 year history downtown bringing its customers the highest quality and variety of Stir Fries, adding Sushi and Steaks to that brings a great flavour to all.
Next door or through the secret bookshelf doorway made famous by former local landmark restaurant “the Other Place” , Oishii is the First and only Rock and Roll Sushi atmosphere. With Video and digital art on the walls you can have a tasteful experience and atmosphere to go with the food
Now apply this to retail. Downtown retail is said to be “dead” but look at Monday’s CBC story about Dr. Disc. I’m sorry but Downtown has the best record store in the city. And say what you will about Shanfields but they’ve got the most inventory in the country. Hell, they should be turning the upstairs into a China museum with their collections. I defy anyone to name a business in Essex county that has the retail selection of these to category killers.
Restaurant Wise, downtown has TBQ’s a Legend in its own right. No middle eastern establishment can match the food and atmosphere of Mazaar’s. Milk and Phog, I don’t have enough time to write about them. What about the Coffee Exchange.
I have so much work to do, if anyone wants to contribute their spin to a downtown business of why its great or a suggestion to the owner of what can make it great, please email me at [email protected]
Tags: Downtown, independant retail, local business, local economic development
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Mark great initiative. It’s an army of two; I’m willing to help in whatever limited capacity I can.
Hospitality, retail, world-class entertainment (see Local entertainment listings), most affordable central business district, and historic and walkable core neighborhoods most cities could only dream for such a diamond in the rough but here we abandon it in favor of costly sprawl. What a shame or failure of leadership (whatever you want to call it).
Local entertainment listings
By Star Staff,
The Windsor Star January 22, 2009
http://www.windsorstar.com/Travel/Local+entertainment+listings/1207614/story.html
From:
Public Transit Encouragement
Victoria Transport Policy Institute
http://www.vtpi.org/tdm/tdm112.htm
An African farmer became impatient with his predicable life and unglamorous work, and decided to sell his property and become a prospector. He left his family and friends behind and spent years searching unsuccessfully for gold, silver and precious jewels.
Years later, the new owner of the farm noticed a bright stone in the small stream on the property. After admiring the stone’s beauty he put it in his pocket, and later placed it on the fireplace mantel, among other interesting curiosities, such as bird feathers and dried plants. After a few weeks a visitor noticed the stone, and on a closer look his eyes grew wide and he nearly fainted. “Do you know what this is?” the guest asked? The farmer replied that he thought it was an interesting crystal. The visitor explained that this was one of the largest and most exquisite diamonds he had ever seen. The two ran back to the steam and found many more such stones scattered along the bottom.
Eventually, the original farmer heard that the land he had been so eager to sell years earlier turned out to be one of the most productive diamond mines in the world. He had roamed the world looking for riches when a fortune had been sitting in his own backyard.
If the farmer had only taken the time to learn what diamonds look like in their rough state he could have started with his own resources, rather than traveling elsewhere in search of his dreams. In other words, it is often worthwhile developing what you have before abandoning it for something new.
There’s been a group of people in Windsor who get together once a week to lend our resources to help build each others successful projects.
One of our first joint projects has been a directory and map of local, independant businesses that we deem are good for Windsor, yet don’t have the same marketing budgets of the big chain-places they compete against.
It is a first edition with (hopefully) many more to come. It’s an organic process and if we’ve inadvertantly left someone off the first printing that belongs there, we will definitely get them on the next one.
Watch for it at a retailer near you very soon.
Will this project have a web presence? ie. an interactive map of some sort? As you probably guessed, I can think of a few local businesses I patronize that would be deserved of such inclusion.
Hey JC - It’s a print version right now. Very inexpensive to do a lot of copies that we will be distributing everywhere, including WAMM Magazine which makes it across the border. We’ve been focusing on the print version right now, but are working on a Google Map with all the businesses listed.
LikeI said, this was put together by a small group of concerned citizens with no affiliation to any organiation. Therefore, it’s probably incomplete at this point in time. That’s not to say that if a business is not included it doesn’t deserve to be included. It just means that we didn’t know about it, it slipped our minds or we found out about it after the final version went to print.
We will probably be holding a launch for this and other “Support Windsor Business” initiatives at (more than likely) Phog VERY soon. Watch SD for up-coming details.
If you have any suggestions for the next version of the pamphlet, email [email protected] and let us know who you think deserves to have their business highlighted!
I’d like to differ on saying Chanoso’s has been bringing the highest quality and variety of Stir Fries. I’ve been repeatedly disappointed there over the past year with the poor quality of their stir fry items and other quality issues. To the point that I won’t even go there anymore.
But I still agree about supporting local business. Downtown has lost so many of it’s independent store owners in the past 10 years sadly.
JCS, the goal is to first assemble the information. Then have a proper marketer to word it properly. Realistically, that will take months.
After that I wanted that information provided to the already existing websites that are out there. Tourism, WEDC (yes they should be using already existing local businesses to attract new businesses as well as talented individuals to live here), DWBIA, the retirement community initiative, etc….
After that, I’d like to start a buy local campaign that could also highlight this information.
But first, we need to get the information. This long overdue project has to begin somewhere.
Oh, I’m not expecating it to go 0-60 in one day, Mark. Just offering suggestions.
Well, geez Darren, thanks for coming out.
I’ll forward your comments to Chanoso’s manager and to the kitchen.
However, I don’t think you get the point of this website. We will be using this particular project not only to identify the world class aspects of local independant businesses but to encourage them and nudge them into a direction to become world class in.
BTW, which national chain or franchise’s stir fries do you prefer????
Thank you Mark, I’ve tried contacting them through the email from their site, but it always bounces back. I just thought it would be nice to see some of the old ingredients in the stir fry dishes. Lately it’s resembled kitchen scraps. No snow peas, usually half a mushroom, a bunch of celery. No yellow or red peppers just green. Or the bowl will be swimming in sauce. It’s happened too often for me to have faith in consistent meals there. Every time I order I feel like I’m taking a gamble on how it will turn out this time. All I would like to see at Chanoso’s is consistency, and ingredients that are more in line with the price of the dish. I don’t really eat at any national chains or franchise’s though. I do like to support the independent businesses in the city.
But I agree with this post though, there’s plenty more great places downtown! : ) I love the new Coffee Exchange. It’s great to see a more intimate location open now. I love Phog, Milk, Marathon Ethiopian, Sushi California, Black Kettle Bistro, Ray and Kims and many more places downtown.
i can’t see getting into the discussion of quality of individual places being fruitful at this point. the basic premise is that small local places have more character, more charm and much more value than any chain can offer. we are extremely lucky to be situated in an area where tourism and population allow for such great talent in areas such as restaurants. we’ve got one of the greatest selection and caliber of restaurants in the country for a city of our size. people often remark about how they love certain areas in other cities when they go away on vacation and i just laugh at them. what they describe is essentially what we’ve got here in windsor like in areas such as Erie Street and of course downtown. people need to recognize what they’ve got here and i think this is a great way to do so. I’m more than willing in any way i can. We opened the Black Kettle Bistro about 6 monthes ago and we’ve been trying to promote it ever since. this would be a welcome help for us. let me know if and when things come up.
Yeah baby!!
Rino, heard you were getting your liquor licence imminently
Will be by for some food soon. The best way for you to help is fill in the information about yourself and stop by maybe the one or two closest retailers or other businesses.
Everyone says retail is dead in Downtown Windsor Windsor and we need to show them otherwise
Mark Boscariol
Mark there isn’t much retail downtown so let’s be honest. however the restaurants downtown are FANTASTIC!
I find my favourite places to be are House of India across from The Palace, Oishii, the ever familiar Cook’s Shop, Alcapulco Delight for some Mexican food (great after a night of drinking) and my new favourite watering hole The Pour House (both service, beverage and food outstanding!). By the way The Beer Market’s fish and chips are the BEST in this city bar none!
Black Kettle Bistro is a place I am dying to try…maybe this weekend? It is about time we get a place like this in Windsor. Hopefully you have blackened fish of some sort (not a fan of catfish).
Hopefully we get a nice seafood place downtown that makes a mean Paella.
Now that we have great restaurants hopefully retail follows or at the least starts to congregate in closer proximities so that there is a place where a person can shop without wandering all over downtown looking for only a few shops.
Mark,
You’re not going to start this stupidness again are you? It was around this time last year when you rambled on about how great downtown was….
Let’s review.
A RESTAURANT IS NOT RETAIL.
End of today’s lesson.
by using chanosos as the example, Mark is simply using his own experience to make his point. in that same point he directly mentions that the same principle can be applied to retail using two different specific examples in Dr. Disc and Shanfields. Mark and most downtown retailers, restauranteurs and other businessmen are implying that the reason that most windsorites ignore downtown is out of sheer ignorance. there needs to be someone advocating for these people. the city isn’t doing it. the downtown BIA isn’t really doing it. downtown residents aren’t doing it. finally someone like Mark is stepping up and saying lets do it on our own and there are still negative remarks made. funny, how in a city where people drive around with ridiculous bumper stickers advocating buying “local” (domestic) cars made here by bankrupt companies struggling for financial survival because they could not produce a comparable quality product, the notion of shopping local and eating local is scoffed at. we can’t expect retailers to find downtown desirable if they see that the great crop of restaurants and entertainment venues are suffering from lack of support. when the quality is this good its a no brainer. I’ll be emailing you early next week Mark. thanks for the extra effort.
Andrew, humour me by listening to a story
When Austin Texas decided to “brand” itself as “the Live music Capital of the world” it was not true. At the time Memphis Tenessee had far more venue’s and live music performances. However, by claiming the title and positioning itself as such. Over the next 10 years, the amount of live music venue’s grew by a factor of 10 (Thats 10 times) while Memphis’s live music scene grew by 10%. Its not simply about where you are, its about setting out where you want to be.
However, it does have to be based in truth. When I say that Dr. Disc is the best record store in the region, I’m telling the truth.
Thats point #1.
Second point. Main street and local independant businesses can and do compete with the national chains. They do this by promoting aspects of their businesses that the chains can’t beat them at.
Chains are nameless and faceless. We need to get personal. People think that I’m all about the publicity, well I’d be lying if if I said that there was no ego involve (you always have to struggle to keep in in check) However, if every local business owner promoted themselves as an expert or a celebrity, they are harnessing a position that the Chains can’t.
Point #3
If you are going to lure new businesses downtown, you do it by showing them a vision that is widely accepted. Thats what districting is about. Show them that Pelissier Street could be filled with residential support businesses such as specialty wine shops, maybe a butcher, a flower shop
I believe that American Apparel failed due to its location. I believe that had they located next to capish bling and one or two more clothing retailers that they could have created a cluster that could have been sustainable and could have been a draw.
No Andrew, I won’t throw in the towel, and I stand by my statements. Not only that, I believe that it is just as important to foster our existing merchants as much as it is to recruit new ones. Hell, thats whats happening in Walkerville.
Where else in our city do we have businesses like Milk, Phog. Look at how the cigar shop next to Jasons has built themselves up into a darn nice european cafe.
No ones going to save us, we need to save ourselves. One business and one new resident at a time.
P.S. The Downtown BIA isn’t promoting and it should be. However there is a damn good reason for that.
The city should be paying for Infrastructure (streetscape), Development incentives like the facade grant program and cleaning and safety. HOwever, the BIA spends over 1/2 its budget on these things. Since the city ignores these issues, the BIA is forced to spend on them
Meanwhile the city is paying for flowers, banners and marketing/branding.
Technically that is supposed to be the role of the BIA.
If the city did what it was supposed to do then he BIA could do what it is supposed to do. We’re working all Ass backwards and the city can’t or won’t see what any intelligent person sees as common sense,
If the city paid for streetscape, implementing the CIP recommendations, the BIA could then market, promote and beautify which is its mandate
I was only trying to comment on what was written here about a certain menu item being ‘high quality’, and my experience with it. I may be a quiet person, but if I see something I don’t agree with I’m going to speak up.
I love downtown more than most in this city and spent much of my life down there away from the rest of the city. I lived downtown in the 80s and grew up downtown in the 70s. I worked downtown at several locations as well. I wasn’t attacking downtown. It wasn’t my intention. As I keep trying to state over and over.
The McDonald’s downtown near the Tunnel entrance is by far the best in the city, if not all of Ontario. The wide variety of both Canadian and American cuisine rivals even the Casino’s best chefs in taste variety and vibrant color palette. I was amazed at the distinct flavours brought out by the addition of tomato and white sauce in their aptly named ‘Angus Burger’. At only 590 calories, it’s a sumptious delight at a bargain for health conscious consumers. I find myself going there again and again, just to scan their menu for something new to tempt my taste buds. Bravo Mr. McDonald! Bravo!
darren, no worries. I need to work on my businesses as well. I don’t profess to be perfect. I ask that you give us another try in the future to see if we can get better. Since you asked, however:
Chanoso’s greatest challenge has always been consitency. Just past november, I brought down a top restaurant consultant to recommend improvements and we are implementing a large amount of changes and systems to address this and other concerns.
Nick’s a funny guy, funny like an ice pick to the head. Bravo Nick, Bravo
No problem Mark, I had no idea you were connected to the restaurant too, so i wasn’t aiming my comment at you. I just found out later. i had been working on websites all day too so my mood wasn’t that great. i used to work in restaurants a lot too when i was younger so i understand how things can be difficult. i tried to explain when it happened though but i think your email link from your website doesn’t work since the email would bounce back or i would never get a reply. i tried to let the restaurant know at the time it was happening since i thought then they could place it to who was the problem.
peace
Just to clarify, this strategy is not my own, it is the main recommendation of the International Downtown Association’s Marketing strategy for reviving downtowns specifically directed at retail.
The fact that I used my own business as an example might have been a mistake on this blog, but hopefully most will recognize it as an example to elicit information for all local independant businesses.
I love dtown - why … 1… it’s got great restaurants … 2… and, this is what makes dtown so cool … it’s edgier, grittier, sexier, less predictable, less bland, it’s real, with its beautiful older buildings and it’s eyesores … urban life at it’s best and worst … I love bringing my kids dtown and allow them to absorb the city vibe … it has energy !! … something they would never get in the highly polished world of suburbs / malls etc … and I agree, retailers, restaurants, need to focus on their niche and go for it !! Some of us love dtown, some people need to rediscover it, and some people just won’t go!
Compete against malls for product? Beat them with style, flair, and personality!
I think I can give you a great example … my kids play hockey and I get virtually all their gear at Brian’s … rather than at a chain … why? service … I get assisted by someone who truly knows and understands what they are selling … and they draw customers from everywhere because of it … what else do they offer? personality … every time my kid is in the store he gets bombarded with one liners, hockey jokes, ribbing about anything … I love these people and wouldn’t dream of going anywhere else … and, I would pay extra for the honesty, integrity and level of service they provide!
Hey I think I’ve come up with the next dtown advert campaign - gritty sexy edgy … I can see the royalty cheques already!
I, as a downtown resident sure as shit don’t want MY neighbourhood known as “gritty” or “sexy”. Save that crap for the Moxie’s of this world. Or better yet, the young surburban kids who think it is “cool” in their suburban environment. We have enough challenges as it is.
Mark, your P.S. post was right on the money. When will this city stop wasting money on feel good advertisements aimed at those who already have made up their minds and instead start to focus on the residents of this city? Why are we the last to receive anything from this administration.
I support my downtown but I can’t do it alone nor can I afford to do it. How have you, Scaledowner (or lurker) helped to promote downtown or what do you believe our downtown needs to do to bring YOU back. What will make YOU try it again for the first time?
Hey Mark,
It’s great that you mentioned all these wonderful downtown businesses!
What is really disheartening is that fact that more people aren’t on this wavelength and as such, gems like The Coffee Exchange are not “Closed for Business”.
Just a thought. I was downtown the other day to get my car serviced at a local place… which was to take 1.5 hours. I decided to wander to find nothing to do, and not much open (saturday midday). Then i thought, and i offer this out there for free… WHAT IF there was a collaboration between downtown businesses… for example. Drop your car off for service around… at lunchtime, or even say 5pm. With a oil change/dinner package, go to some restaurant, and when you are done, pick up your car. (Eliminates PARKING! the thing most people don’t like doing… they could even pick you up at the restaurant when you are done!) Imagine the possibilities with the 100’s of combinations of partnerships… this is just one example. Certainly, a street with all unique and upper scale shops would be nice, but that would come in time. I support downtown business as much as i can, but sometimes it is very difficult based on the hours. Good luck!
Mark,
I love the Austin reference. They were basically an oil man’s city for a very long time until the city’s leaders EMBRACED the notion that if you have a vibrant arts and music community, you will inject massive amounts of dollars into your local economy.
Our city needs a goal. Somehow, now it seems that our city`s goal is to become a haven for Hogtown retirees, and that is not a direction, that is a lament, that is throwing in the towel and resigning ourselves to absolute mediocrity just to be safe and that isnt good enough for Windsor.
Our city leaders, our elected officials must lead us and must establish goals such as `Having a very vibrant and distinctive downtown with several anchor businesses that attract people from all walks of life`and `Making Windsor the healthiest place to live in all of Southern Ontario`. Not `Let`s see how many old people with money we can trick into living down here`.
I know it`s more people living down here, and I have nothing against retirees, but c`mon! What about the rest of us…
WindsorEats is constantly trying to tell our region’s story through it’s food. From a food standpoint, here are some great “stories” in the Downtown Core:
Mazaar Lebanese Cuisine
The first true upscale Middle Eastern restaurant in Windsor. Owner Imad Najjar prides himself so much on quality ingredients that even . Take a walk inside and you’ll smell what I am talking about.
Chanoso’s/Oishii/Buda
Essentially a 3-in-1 restaurant anchored by the ever popular Chanoso’s. I won’t go on with this since Mark has already expressed his passion for his restaurants and downtown.
World Marathon Ethiopian Restaurant
Probably the best restaurant that nobody is talking about. Unbelievable tastes, large portions and very low prices. Always fun to go with a group of friends and ordering a platter. Put aside the utensils and use the injera bread to eat with your hands. An unforgettable experience. Owner Abdo Alwan will almost certainly be there to greet you with a smile when you walk in as he usually gets an early start to make the injera every day.
La Guardia
When you’ve been in business for 30 years you must be doing something right. Owner Michael Ciliberto recently told me how good it makes him feel when he sees customers who were coming in as kids with their parents when he first opened now coming in with their own kids.
Those are just four very short stories and there are many more that can be told. The key for small businesses to survive is to make it personal. Give your business a real face and name (person) to be remembered by.
apparently Mazaar’s story didn’t go through completely:
Mazaar is the first true upscale Middle Eastern restaurant in Windsor. Owner Imad Najjar prides himself so much on quality ingredients that even all the pitas served in the restaurant are made on site. Take a walk inside and you’ll smell what I am talking about.