The News Herald (Willoughby, OH)
Merchants, leaders come together
Using a four-point approach, the Downtown Painesville Organization facilitated its monthly merchant meeting on March 13 at Morley Library in Painesville.
The approach focused on promotions, economic vitality, design and organization.
The meeting room was full of dozens of local business owners and city leaders.
Debra Remington, who is the DPO board president, said the overall goal was to bring everyone together.
“We are all working toward the same goal — to get more people to shop and eat in downtown Painesville,” she said. “This is also an opportunity to share with others who we are and what we are doing. We are really building a strong downtown.”
The DPO has been busy planning upcoming events, working on an electronic newsletter and preparing to move its offices.
They will be moving from Victoria Place on the Park at 1 Victoria Place to the Gage House at 47 South State St. by the end of March.
Joe Crusse and Shannon (Crusse) Barnhill, who are owners of Fairport Rentals LLC, recently purchased the historic Gage House and the DPO will be their first tenants.
Shannon and Joe’s initial plans included office spaces on the second floor and the main level as a rentable conference room and event space for small businesses, corporate events, bridal showers and other events. Their plans are coming to fruition.
“We received a variance permit to host events on the first floor,” Shannon said at the merchant meeting. “We are very excited. It’s a great space.”
The cost for event rentals is $150 for four hours, she said.
Individuals who are renting the space must bring their own food and drink. Shannon hopes to work with Painesville businesses to create a preferred vendors list of caterers and florists.
There are also still two available office spaces for rent at the Gage House.
The merchant meeting gave community stakeholders an open forum to network and share upcoming events and happenings.
In addition to discussing plans for this year’s Party in the Park, the Painesville Community Improvement Corp. presented a new way to urge people to shop local.
Painesville Furniture and Carpet owner Pamela Morse introduced PCIC bucks. PCIC bucks work like a gift certificate and can be used at any of the 18 participating merchants, she said.
“It spends like cash,” she said. “It encourages people to stay in Painesville. It was also launched in Fairport and was very successful.”
Remington said she was pleased with the attendance and participation at the meeting.
“This is an exciting time for Painesville,” she said.
The next merchant meeting will be at 8 a.m. April 10 at Morley Library, 184 Phelps St.