They need to participate in the Block Party
Too many storefronts were closed during the block party last Saturday night. What's that all about? People are bitching and complaining about the lack of business, and then the night when it is literally brought to their doors they are not anywhere to be seen.
The flower shop, one of the vintage upscale clothing shops, the nail shop and even some jewelry places were closed. Why?
Everyone should be open, be on the scene and possibly be out on the sidewalk with items to enhance the block party. Why not sell flowers on the sidewalk or have vintage handbags hanging from racks?
Many people from other areas of the Grove are always asking to join in but since they are not on Commodore Plaza, they are not permitted. Perhaps they should be permitted, they can set up shop in front of the actual shops who are dark for the evening.
The flower shop, one of the vintage upscale clothing shops, the nail shop and even some jewelry places were closed. Why?
Everyone should be open, be on the scene and possibly be out on the sidewalk with items to enhance the block party. Why not sell flowers on the sidewalk or have vintage handbags hanging from racks?
Many people from other areas of the Grove are always asking to join in but since they are not on Commodore Plaza, they are not permitted. Perhaps they should be permitted, they can set up shop in front of the actual shops who are dark for the evening.
posted by Tom Falco at 1:00 PM
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18 Comments:
Well...that wouldnt have happend if RyanStoneMusic
was playing!! OPEN SEASON!
Take it lite...RSM
totally agree with you. should be great to have some retailers coming specially for the event as south miami is doing when sunset DR is closed. Painters, souvenirs stands,sunglasses, whatever, etc...
I don't get whyshop owners would choose to close during the block party. It's not going to cost that much to stay open and it's no-brainer marketing. It would be great if off-site Grove retailers who would like to participate, could (I'm sure that would require some sort of permit). We need to see a little more energy from some retailers, they want to do well, but aren't willing to go the extra mile, ie. make the area in front of the store attractive, train your staff to be attentive to the customer and not so much to their fellow co-workers or cell phone, staff shouldn't stand out in front of the store smoking and talking on their cell phones during breaks... you get the picture.
The money being used to throw the block party isn't generated only by commodore plaza businesses, so why should the participation be limited.
I know that they pay into a fund for it, but additional funds come directly from BID or the chamber, right? Maybe let anyone else set up a stand for a small fee, which goes to the block party fund, like the businesses on commodore do.
Easy enough solution...
Agrre with Grape.
All coconut grove merchants should be invited to participate, there is too much time and energy spent at the Coconut Grove BID on paperwork.
To suceed this event will need more energy and participants.
Why, are you serious? They cannot afford to pay rent, employees, insurance, electrical and the expense of being open. What a dumb and stupid asinine finger pointing attempt at the Grape creating conflict instead of harmony. Grape you are a putz to point your finger at these three establishments acting as some knight in shining armour and make negative comments just to harvest a few comments from other niccompoops like yourself.
just to make it clear,
only few restaurants are contributing financially to the block party. It's all about "bonus" & "extra" for retailers. Reason more to feel more energy from retaillers
It doesnt make sense for the handbag shop, flower shop, and nail shop to be open. That is why they are closed. It doesnt make financial sense and it doesnt make personal sense. These people have lives, families, and other things to do. Its not right to chastise them for being closed on a Saturday night when they would be closed anyways. During the Art+Design nights in Wynwood/Design District, there are plenty of businesses who remain closed because it doesnt make sense for them to stay open. No one there seems to mind or throw negativity towards them, why do so in the Grove.
I think its laughable that many finger pointers do not own or operate a retail/restaurant business in the Grove. It must be nice standing on your soapbox and dictating what others should do with their time. Get over yourselves. You give the Grove a bad name.
I was asked to publish this story by three restaurant owners on Commdore Plaza, who approached me last weekend. They feel the shops need to participate and not close up.
The vintage clothing store and flower shop would probably thrive on block party nights. This is the thoughts of the owners of other businesses on Commodore Plaza. I tend to agree.
The only negativity I see here are from John Jacobs (worse fake name than "that guy") and the anon.
There was no finger pointing or mean spirited intent in this piece and if you read that into it, likely it came from you and mood.
This post was about how the block party could be improved, and that's a positive.
Grape:
We were at the block party and I suggested that they have regualr folding chairs near the band end so people can sit and be comfortable. There is no seating and also a few carts filling in the dead space is needed. Inexpensive drinks and food and things to purchase. Everyone feels the same way. the stores do not need to open just fill in the space with vendors that want to be there.
FYI...I volunteer at the This 'n That Shop and we try to have it open 1 Saturday a month during the block parties, staying open until 9 (last time) and perhaps 10 for upcoming openings. Why not every Saturday? Because we all volunteer...and trying to get several people to volunteer their Saturday nights away is a big commitment. The one Saturday night I worked (in August), we did make enough to make it worth our time and it was fun. By 9 it was time to close because people were coming in with drinks (a no-no)and just looking, not buying. Time to close! If you haven't come to the This 'n That, come and check it out, open Tues - Sat, 10-4:30. Great stuff, makes your money go further, and the money is used for charity...mostly locally!
Our store Tula and Tupi is always open till at least 10pm on Saturday nights for block party. We have tons of families coming in and generate a lot of business. It is too bad to see other stores closed when we are open so late. There are lots of new people out and wanting to shop. So much money and effort is put into this block party i feel the least we could do is stay open and keep the strret alive. This Sat we are offering amazing Smoon cupcakes and apple cider. We want these events to continue. We are lucky to be on Commodore. Its too bad others dont feel that way.
Most towns in California have Thursday night Farmer's Markets that run from about 5pm - 10pm. The main streets are shut down, and vendors pack the streets...local farmers sell veggies, fresh olive oil, local political parties and charities have booths, local restaurants cook food on giant bbqs, stores are open, lots of live music, street performers...and the streets are PACKED with people. It would be nice to see something similar here.
Grape is right on point.
Times are tough, the activitites on Commodore draw people in - stores should be open. Getting people into a store is a major accomplishment - whether they buy or not at least they got to see the store and may return some other time to actually buy.
The Grove merchants often complain, but when it comes time to participate, they often do not. If the store owners cannot afford to staff a store a few extra hours when they have live people outside their doors, or they chose to be home relaxing - then they aren't hurting as much as I thought they were.
Not only should all the stores on Commodore be open, but around the periphery as well as many walk around the rest of the Grove once there.
Let's get with it. Grape is right on.
I think those businesses that think they can make money staying open should stay open and those that don't think they can make money should not.
The main beneficiary of this type of event will always be businesses that serve food or drink.
I like Scott's idea. Sounds great. Why not give it a try?
Scotts idea about the farmers market on commodore would be fabulous. I have been saying this for a long time. Something during the day. or later in the day that packs the street.
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