Support For Local Serving Business
I am concerned about the recent loss of many locally- based businesses. Businesses are going through a period of unsettling change, and we are all
feeling it with a growing sense of unease. I wish I had a crystal ball to help solve this troubling issue. I suspect businesses have left for a whole
host of reasons, not the least of which might have been our own tendency not to shop locally if bargains were to be had elsewhere.
Actions
I suspect that change is happening for a variety of reasons, not the least of which is high land values. I make decisions based on solid information.
I would work to find out why businesses are closing, including talk to recently departed ones to find out what happened and look to see what, if
anything, the city could do going forward.
Ideas
There are things a city can do through its power to write policies in the commercial section of our city’s constitution, known as the General Plan.
We can create a robust set of business-sustaining policies and programs, including:
• flexible planning and building advice and approvals to help sustain businesses,
• a small business emergency loan program (to help tide over sudden and extraordinary expenses),
• a business improvement district created by and for merchants to address their needs,
• streetscape amenities, and
• closer ongoing city council communication with the Chamber and non-Chamber merchants.
Our own shopping choices and patronage are vital to having a healthy business community. I would like to see a strong “support our local
businesses” campaign and perhaps weave in some activities on the Depot plaza to help promote local business. How about teaming up “box
dinners” from our local markets and restaurants for those concerts on the plaza?
We all benefit from a strong commercial and business sector. We don’t want a mono crop of businesses when variety and a healthy mix is vital. I
believe that a plan for Miller Avenue that gets more people out walking around will help give current merchants more sales to help make them more
profitable. Over time, increasing the supply of small retail space available on Miller will help increase the overall stock of rental properties thereby
easing rents. The goal of a sustainable village of the 21st century , like Mill Valley, will be shopping right in town or close by ~ from a hammer to
a pair of girls soccer cleats, at a good price.
I am concerned about the recent loss of many locally- based businesses. Businesses are going through a period of unsettling change, and we are all
feeling it with a growing sense of unease. I wish I had a crystal ball to help solve this troubling issue. I suspect businesses have left for a whole
host of reasons, not the least of which might have been our own tendency not to shop locally if bargains were to be had elsewhere.
Actions
I suspect that change is happening for a variety of reasons, not the least of which is high land values. I make decisions based on solid information.
I would work to find out why businesses are closing, including talk to recently departed ones to find out what happened and look to see what, if
anything, the city could do going forward.
Ideas
There are things a city can do through its power to write policies in the commercial section of our city’s constitution, known as the General Plan.
We can create a robust set of business-sustaining policies and programs, including:
• flexible planning and building advice and approvals to help sustain businesses,
• a small business emergency loan program (to help tide over sudden and extraordinary expenses),
• a business improvement district created by and for merchants to address their needs,
• streetscape amenities, and
• closer ongoing city council communication with the Chamber and non-Chamber merchants.
Our own shopping choices and patronage are vital to having a healthy business community. I would like to see a strong “support our local
businesses” campaign and perhaps weave in some activities on the Depot plaza to help promote local business. How about teaming up “box
dinners” from our local markets and restaurants for those concerts on the plaza?
We all benefit from a strong commercial and business sector. We don’t want a mono crop of businesses when variety and a healthy mix is vital. I
believe that a plan for Miller Avenue that gets more people out walking around will help give current merchants more sales to help make them more
profitable. Over time, increasing the supply of small retail space available on Miller will help increase the overall stock of rental properties thereby
easing rents. The goal of a sustainable village of the 21st century , like Mill Valley, will be shopping right in town or close by ~ from a hammer to
a pair of girls soccer cleats, at a good price.