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OTBA works toward Main Street goals
by Kristina Gawrgy
The Old Takoma Business Association (OTBA) was created more than a decade ago to join forces between various different organizations including retail establishments, non-profit organizations, professional service businesses, and home-based businesses.
The OTBA has since accumulated 45 members and has raised funds for and initiated programs that have created a more unified Takoma Park and Takoma, DC.
According to the OTBA Web site, the OTBA’s mission is to bring together businesses and community organizations dedicated to developing a vibrant market center, from Takoma Junction in Maryland to the Takoma Theatre across the District line.
"[OTBA benefits community] mainly with the revitalization of Takoma, by bringing in new shoppers, keeping with history, and making this a place that people want to come to and increasing businesses," said Bob Atwood, president of OTBA.
Revitalization is the priority of the OTBA with its efforts to create a successful Main Street Program in the area. The City of Takoma Park agreed to match every dollar the OTBA raised for the program, up to $25,000 a year.
The OTBA is also in the process of hiring a program manager for the Main Street Program which is a requirement in the state of Maryland. The duties of the program manager will be to promote downtown activities and educate businesses as well as to act as a collaborator, clearinghouse, visionary, facilitator, and coordinator based on the four points of the Main Street Program.
The four points of the Main Street Program include organization, promotion, design, and economic restructuring. Working in these four areas, the program manager will also encourage public awareness of the activities of OTBA and the Main Street Program.
Karen Leeman, owner of Moonshadow Antiques and Collectibles, has been a member of OTBA since her business opened two years ago. "I did it because I’m a merchant and it sort of made sense to be part of the community," she said.
Some members have voiced concern over the annual membership fee that increased more than 100 percent over the past year to fund the Main Street Program.
Leslie Riehl, a State Farm Insurance Agent in Takoma Park, joined the OTBA about two years ago and said she did it to support the town. "The Main Street Program supports that old town Takoma village type of feel that we all love and want," she said. "I’m 100 percent for it."
Along with members, the OTBA has a board of directors. Maryland bylaws require that nine board members be chosen for any organization of this nature. The OTBA is working to make this nine-member board a reality.
Joining the OTBA is very simple and can be done on the web site. Many churches, hospitals and even individuals are members of the OTBA. Atwood said the OTBA is reluctant to use the word "business" in its materials because the organization encompasses a variety of entities.
Members of OTBA pay an annual membership fee, which ranges from $100 to $300 depending on the type of membership. Benefits for members of OTBA are numerous. In order to promote the overall success of Takoma Park and Takoma, DC the organization offers members advertisements, networking with other businesses or organizations, listing on the Takoma Online web site, and educational seminars.
Besides the increase in annual membership fees, OTBA is also raising money for the Main Street Program through a silent auction. The auction will take place on May 16 at the Savory Café to raise public awareness and funds for the Takoma Foundation, investments in the community, and the Main Street Program. Tickets for the event will be priced at $45 and the evening will include a wine tasting and musical entertainment.
The OTBA, which was originally called the Takoma Old Town Business Association, changed its name about a year and half ago to be more inclusive of areas surrounding Takoma Park and Takoma, DC. "We wanted to make it more encompassing of the DC side and the Maryland side and the junction and how we could bring all three of them together under that name," Atwood said.
The OTBA was officially incorporated in August of 2003.
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