| Upcoming DSI Events
|
|
St. Paddy's Night Out, Friday, March 13, 5:00 - 9:00 p.m. in Historic Downtown Salisbury
Earth Night Out, Friday, April 17, 5:00 - 10:00 p.m. in Historic Downtown Salisbury
Spring Night Out, Friday, May 8, 5:00 - 10:00 p.m. in Historic Downtown Salisbury
For more event information:
DowntownSalisburyNC.com
|
| New Businesses! |
| |
Handbag Heaven,
100 W. Innes St., Ste. 103
We offer a 10% discount to anyone employed by the City fire or police departments, EMT's and armed services men and women to show our support. Our primary brands are Coach, BCBG, B Makowsky, Michael Kors, Dooney & Bourke, and many more. We offer free gift wrap for holidays including Christmas and Valentine's Day as well as birthdays and anniversaries. Anybody with i.d. proof of birthday will receive 10% off. Join our mailing list to receive discount cards in the mail each month. Free consultation on bags for evening wear or special events. Hours: Tues-Sat, 10 a.m.-6:30 p.m. (704) 633-2703.
Laughing Sky Books,
123 E. Innes St.
Located in space previously inhabited by Rainy Day Bookstore, Laughing Sky Books is the vision of new owner Jennifer Koerner. She sees the space as "a friendly place where those who love to read can buy books at half the cost of retail." Laughing Sky features a wide selection of rare and out-of-print titles, collectible books, audio books and dvds. Jennifer is also happy to place special orders for titles not in stock. Laughing Sky will host an open mic event on Wednesday, February 25 at 6 p.m. Writers of poetry, fiction and non-fiction, as well as acoustic instrumentalists, are invited to participate; join in the fun or simply sit and enjoy the entertainment. Hours: Mon-Fri 9 a.m.-3 p.m., Sat 10 a.m.-6 p.m. (704) 314-0098
Southern Spirit Gallery,
102 S. Main St.Relocating from Denton, NC, owner Toby Hagmaier is proud to announce the downtown Salisbury opening of Southern Spirit Gallery, which displays and sells fine art pieces and hand crafted items ranging from pottery to wearable textiles. These unusual and beautiful pieces are chosen from many parts of North Carolina. These NC artisans and the exclusive pieces they create have stories of their own which makes them very special indeed. Southern Spirit celebrates not only the extraordinary talent, but also the passion and sacrifice of the artist. We are pleased to be able to introduce local talent as well as more well-known artists from around the state. Southern Spirit Gallery is open six days a week for your convenience. Hours Mon.-Sat. 10 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Pottery 101,
101 S. Main St.
Pottery 101, conveniently located on the corner of Innes & Main Streets, is the new attractive anchor for the Square in the heart of Downtown Salisbury. Completely renovated and restored by Ted and Cheryl Goins, the building encompasses a 1,200 square foot gallery and Cheryl's pottery studio on the first floor, and the owners' residence on the second floor. The gallery features the pottery of more than a dozen North Carolina artists, as well as Cheryl's work, all easily visible through the new, oversized windows along the storefront. Spring pottery classes will begin in April; please call Cheryl for more information. Hours: Tues-Fri 10 a.m.-6 p.m., Sat 10 a.m.-5 p.m. (704) 209-1632
|
| Welcome! |
 |
Kelly Hammill, owner of The Wrenn House welcomed daughter Lily Elle on Saturday, December 20. The beautiful, healthy baby girl weighed six pounds, fifteen ounces.
Congratulations Kelly!
|
| Downtown News |
| |
Business Resources:
Funding Your Business, a seminar offered by Rowan Cabarrus Community College's Small Business Center. Tuesday, April 14, 9:30-11:30 a.m., in the Plaza, 100 W. Innes St.
You've heard that lenders are tightening the purse strings in today's tough economic times. What kind of funding is still available for small businesses and what steps do you need to take now to secure it? Please contact RCCC's Small Business Center at (704) 216-3512 or www.rowancabarrus.edu/sbc for more information.
Exciting News from
A Place in Time Photography
We are pleased to announce some major changes for our studio. We are now by appointment only. This reduces our overhead and allows us to pass the savings onto our customers. We are also changing our location effective March 1 to 523 S. Main St. in the Lyerly Building, Suite 3. We look forward to continuing to give our customers the very best in professional quality photography.
|
|
DSI is on
Facebook®!
Be sure to check out our page on Facebook and get connected...
|
Live Downtown!
The historic Plaza building has 1 & 2 bedroom apartments available. Each apartment has private off-street parking and an 8x10 storage unit.
The Plaza is located in the heart of downtown Salisbury. Stroll to your favorite restaurants, shops, art galleries and more...
For more information, call Shuntale at 704-637-7814.
|
|
|
|
Mission Statement
Downtown Salisbury, Inc. promotes, enhances and manages the development of the central business district in a manner which makes the district the economic, governmental, social and cultural center of Rowan County. We address the needs of neighborhoods and businesses within and adjacent to the Municipal Service District. We accomplish our mission through economic restructuring, design, promotions and building partnerships.
|
Promotions Committee
Glenda Dyson, Chair
The Promotions Committee has been looking at different options for a Downtown Gift Card program. Some research is still to be done. The committee will also look into setting up a downtown incentive or rewards program and the possibility of expanding the use of Downtown Dollars.
In response to a request for feedback on holiday sales, downtown merchants in general did pretty well. Most did at least as well as last year, and a few much better. There was consensus that the Tourism Development Authority's targeted marketing campaign was a considerable help, as was the annual Salisbury Post Holiday Gift Guide with its cover photograph of downtown business owners.
The Downtown Shopping Guide is in process of a major facelift. The new and improved guide will include an easier-to-read map and easy-to-understand merchant categories.
DSI staff will take to the streets in the next few weeks in order collect information from business owners that will help inform some of DSI's next steps, particularly in regards to merchants' use and understanding of available technology.
|
Public Art Committee
Barbara Perry, Chair
The "Salisbury Sculpture Show Discover What's Outside" will hold its inaugural season of what is anticipated to be an annual event beginning April 1 and running through December. The show will feature 14 pieces of fine sculpture from local, regional, and national artists in prominent locations throughout downtown Salisbury. Each piece was carefully chosen by a Selection Committee from artists' submittals, and each will be individually sited within the downtown to best complement the art with the urban setting. The show is conceived not only as a way to expose local residents of all ages and income groups to fine art in a casual, outdoor setting and enhance the quality and beauty of our downtown business district, but also as a way to draw visitors and tourists to enjoy the art amid the historic beauty and eclectic shopping available throughout our beautiful downtown. A number of events are planned around the sculpture exhibit that will entertain and educate residents and visitors alike. Please visit www.salisburysculptureshow.com for more information. There is a new permanent display of public art in downtown Salisbury! Thanks to the generosity of Edward and Susan Norvell, and artist Michael Baker, the sculpture Sentinel #2 is back in its rightful place in the parking plaza on the corner of S. Lee and E. Fisher Streets. Originally installed in February 2008, it was on temporary loan to the City from the artist for a short six months. |
|
Economic Restructuring Committee
Southern Spirit Gallery (Toby Hagmaier) and Pottery 101 (Cheryl Goins) have been great additions to the Square and also represent the two latest shop owners who will live above their store/gallery. The 1,368 square foot third floor at 102 S. Main is available for $99,920 or roughly $65 per square foot. Because of recent renovations, this space also now has a private deck. The project was made possible by a grant from F&M Bank Revolving Fund. Brad Walser is well under way with renovations at 108 S. Main. The building will house his website/computer business.
Downtown Salisbury, Inc. and the Salisbury Community Development Corporation have put new roofs on the houses at 209 and 213 S. Lee. The porches will also be rebuilt and the exteriors will be renovated to these house which are zoned Downtown Mixed Use and will make great art studio/office/specialty retail locations. DSI thanks the F&M Bank Revolving Fund for making this project possible.
The metal façade was recently removed at 110 S. Main thanks to new building owner Bill Greene, who also happens to serve as Wachovia Market President. Greene is working with the Literary Bookpost on a planned expansion into this space which will include renovations to both the interior and exterior of the building.
For a complete and up to date list of properties available for sale or lease in the downtown, go to www.downtownsalisburync.com.
|
|
Parking & Traffic Committee
Greg Shields, Chair
The committee continues to work with Kubilins Transportation Group, Inc. of Charlotte to evaluate the possibility of a left turn lane on Innes Street that will allow easy access from
I-85 to the south side of the downtown. Easy access to this side of the downtown from the east side of town and the I-85 corridor is crucial for the development of projects like the Empire Hotel. More than one substantial development project has been lost because of the circuitous route that requires to get to the S. Main area of the downtown. The proposal under study calls for narrower lane widths that would allow us to continue to have 2 lanes in each direction, parking on both sides AND a new turn lane.
The new parking lot beside Soldiers Memorial A.M.E. Church, a joint effort of the County, City and the Church is almost completed. This lot will help alleviate parking in the Courthouse area. Plans for the Central City Lot in the 100 block of E. Innes are progressing well. The lot is expected to be under construction in late spring. The City and property owners have done a great job planning the project which will be a great benefit to our downtown customers who want easily accessible and attractive parking. Parking will also be improved and/or expanded behind City Hall and behind the houses at 209/213 S. Lee St.
|
|
Empire Hotel Update
Brian Miller, Chair
 Empire Properties, the Raleigh based developer selected by DSI for this project, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with DSI and the City in November concerning the development of the property back into a hotel. Empire was selected from the seven development firms which responded to the Request For Qualifications. A more formal development agreement should be signed this spring. The next step is an approximately year-long due diligence period where Empire Properties will plan the project. Formal market studies, architectural studies and financial modeling will take place during this period.
The purchase of the 88,000 square foot building and 1.39 acre site was made possible through an interest only loan and donations to the Downtown Salisbury, Inc. Revolving Fund from financial partners Bank of North Carolina, Citizens South, Community Bank of Rowan, Community One, F&M Bank, First Bank and Wachovia. |
|
Design Master Plan Committee
Pete Bogle, Chair
 During his Installation Address on February 16, 2009, new Catawba College President Dr. W. Craig Turner said "The only difference between a rut and a grave is the depth of the hole." Craig's words ring true for so many aspects of life and business. Downtown Salisbury has not been in a rut; conversely, we have experienced close to $40 million in investment since the adoption of our Master Plan in 2001. The Design Master Plan Committee is gearing up for an update of the 2001 plan. The last 8 years have been busy with growth and development but it is time to look forward even further into the future and prepare for the opportunities and challenges we will face. The committee plans to engage the public in updating the plan this spring through a process that will be shaped by the desires of downtown business, property owners, public officials and interested citizens. The process will include trips to other cities as well as facilitated meetings where everyone will have the opportunity to share their ideas and thoughts on shaping the future of the downtown. Chaired by Pete Bogle, the committee guiding the process includes: Janie Allen, Chris Branham, Ted Goins, John Ketner, Joe Morris, Edward Norvell, Lynn Raker, Scott Robinson, and Michael Young. Former NC Main Street Director Rodney Swink will assist in facilitation of the process. More information including a schedule of planned trips and planning sessions will be forthcoming in the next newsletter.
|
|
Business Tech-Tip
Business owners who come to terms with the knowledge that their website and the internet are the two most efficient and cost-effective tools in their belt for lead generation and customer engagement will prosper greatly in 2009. In relation to internet marketing, 2009 will see:
- increased use of email
- increased use of analytic tools (i.e., Google Analytics)
- increased focus on organic search engine optimization and somewhat less on pay-per-click
- increased use of online webinars and less of tradeshows and in-person events
- increased outsource of marketing and internet functions to trained, experienced professionals
- increased use of social media (i.e., Facebook) for business marketing and exposure.
|
"If You Love Salisbury...
Shop Salisbury!"
|
|
| |
|
