Message From the Manager: Promote a Clean & Green Summer

Spring has arrived, as it is the prime time to prep your storefront for the summer season. Here are 10 simple tips to get your storefront ready.

1. Wash away the dirt and grime from winter by cleaning your windows, doors, porch, signs and sidewalks, and throughout the season remember to clean regularly.

2. Pull any weeds that are seeping up through the cracks in the sidewalks and show off that beautiful storefront. Remember, the Golden Broom Award will be given out monthly now through the fall and this will be a consideration.

3. Plant seasonal flowers, and if you don’t have a window box, a pot of flowers still brings “life” to your storefront. Just remember to maintain them through the summer with enough water.  

4. If you have a tree box in front of your business, the life of that tree depends on you. Mulch will retain moisture, deter weeds and will keep the soil from eroding. Customers are more likely to spend up to 12 percent more at a business along a tree-lined street. The health of these trees are important to your business. The CRC is introducing “Adopt a Box Program” and are hoping to have all the tree boxes adopted by Memorial Day.  We are encouraging businesses to adopt the boxes in front of their business, but anyone can adopt a tree box. If you would like to Adopt a Box, please contact the CRC.

5. Please throw out your trash. Eighty five percent of the reason people litter is caused by individual attitude. “Pinch those butts” and walk to the closest garbage can with your litter. There are over 30 receptacles in downtown and you can easily help keep our town beautiful.

6. As the weather gets nicer, more pedestrians are walking in the streets and outdoor seating is a great way to entice customers to your business. Make sure you keep outdoor furniture clean and black wrought-iron furniture ties nicely with the decorative lights and (coming soon) park benches. It will also match existing outdoor seating options available.

7. Days are longer this time of year so be sure to adjust your business hours appropriately. Longer evening hours and weekends may be suitable for your business.

8.  Bring your storefront together with a sandwich board. Make sure the font is readable, colorful and use both sides of the board. Remember to bring them in during the rain and closed business hours.

9. Prop your door open or display an “open” flag. This little gesture could mean big results to your walk-in traffic.

10.  Make use of your window space. Create a theme with the season or a local event. Right now, the Relay for Life is celebrating by Painting the Town Purple. After this campaign, the star lights will be lit throughout town and patriotic holidays will be celebrated. It is the 10th anniversary of 9/11 and a patriotic theme would be appropriate for your storefront this summer.

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