July 2009 Archives

The everchanging landscape of Takoma Park and Takoma, DC isn't all road construction and "for lease" signs.  Put your cell phone on mute (or better yet, turn it off entirely) the next time you make your way to and from the Metro during commuting hours or as you walk your pooch.  Look up, down and all around.  You might be surprised to notice a few, and most welcome, changes to your neighborhood.

Eti Seltzer has returned and reopened Rerun in the former Women's Health Center space.

Roscoe's is open and serving......libations!  There is nothing like a refreshing mojito on a hot summer's day.

Takoma, DC will soon see the opening of the cafe "My Little Bistro" and a much anticipated addition to The Culture Shop.....a wine bar.

A new residence?  A storefront?  Neither, rather an illusion and a great work of art.  Artist G. Byron Peck's mural on the Kittner Design Studio building in the heart of Old Takoma.

So next time you are stuck waiting for the road crew to turn the sign from "stop" to "slow", look out your window and take in the changes happening around you.....and in many cases, because of you.

Why Takoma Park, Maryland should, could and needs to follow Claremont, California's lead 

In today's economic climate, everyone can relate to the importance of saving money.  Purchases for non-necessities are kept to a minimum, if not eschewed entirely, and deals are sought regardless of a product's price or source.

While this makes sense from a consumer standpoint, looking to save money can have significant consequences to a local community.  To help quell these challenges to independent businesses in cities across the nation, the "3/50 Project" was launched to expand awareness on how consumers spend money.

The premise behind the 3/50 Project is to encourage local residents to pick 3 small businesses within their community and spend $50 a month at each.  This helps ensure their survival amidst economic doubts so prevalent today.  Stickers advertising the campaign rest in store windows, and flyers are available offering statistics about the scope of what the project could mean to local business.

For example, if half the employed U. S. population spent $50 a month in independently run businesses, $42.6 billion in revenue would be raised.  Additionally, for every $100 spent in independently owned businesses, $68 returns to the community through taxes, payroll, and other expenditures.  If the same money were spent at a national chain, only $42 would remain.  When purchases are made online, nothing comes back to the community.

Business owners in Claremont are taking notice.  Joan Bunte, owner of Stamp Your Heart Out in the Village, has been in retail business in Claremont for over 30 years and was the first to bring the 3/50 Project to the attention of the city.  Ms. Bunte first heard about the program through a manufacturing representative and wants to get other businesses involved.  So far, local owners place information about the 3/50 Project in their customer emails and newsletters, with reactions that are generally very receptive.

Ms. Bunte expressed the kind of personal relationships Claremont residents enjoy within their community.  "Claremont shoppers want to identify with stores, they want to know the owner and they want to see your face," she said.

Another Claremont store owner, Sal Medina, who runs the Packing House Wine Merchants in the Village West, said the focus of the program reaches further than his immediate place of business, even while it's indeed his priority.  "...shopping local is something Claremont has always backed, but in this economy, we wanted to tap into the idea that 'Shop Local' is for everybody.  We live in a small community surrounded by small communities, and the need for support is greater than neighborhoods."

The subtitle for the 3/50 Project on its logo reads, "Saving the brick and mortars our nation is built on."  With tough economic times, the goal is ensuring small business will still be there when the climate improves which will require strong community support.

For more information, visit www.the350project.net

(This story was originally published in the July 22, 2009 edition of the Claremont Courier by Sean Pravica.  Reprinted with kind permission from editor Kathryn Dunn and with gratitude to Brenda Bolinger).

It's been 40 years since "Billy" and "Wyatt" were astride their choppers.  Indulging in a bit of cinematic license, one can imagine that they have settled in Takoma Park and are now cruising with the new eGO Cycle 2LX.  Now you can, too. 

The Main Street Program of the Old Takoma Business Association is raffling a new eGO Cycle 2LX electric bike valued at $2,400.00.  Proceeds of the raffle benefit Main Street Takoma, a non-profit program that is responsible for Old Takoma beautification (e.g. graffiti removal, clean up days and plantings), business facade improvement grants, and the Takoma Park Street Festival, to name a few of their many initiatives.

Raffle tickets are available at most Old Takoma businesses including The Big Bad Woof, Now & Then, and The Tranquil Soul.  A prototype of the eGO Cycle 2LX is on view at The Tranquil Soul, located at 7014 Westmoreland, around the corner from The Shampoo.

Tickets are $10 each or 5 for $45.  The drawing will be held on Sunday, October 4 at 5:00 pm during the Takoma Park Street Festival.  You need not be present to win.

C'mon, you know you want to win!

Take the Indie Challenge July 1 - 7

"As we honor our national heritage and liberty, we also celebrate our nation's local independent businesses who have provided opportunity and underwritten community life and prosperity.  It is time to consider the independent decision-making ability each of us possesses to choose the future of the place we make our home."

"Use Independents Week to explore your local independent businesses and see how much of your purchasing for that week you can do with them.  You will keep your money circulating in your community three times longer than spending it at national chains would do, where it leaves immediately for somewhere else.  Every dollar you spend at a local independent business helps your community in many ways" (see the May issue of the Takoma Voice).

(reprinted from the American Independent Business Alliance www.amiba.net)