At a time when the tough economy is keeping the consumers stay away from shopping, a City project is trying to do just the opposite – by reversing that trend through enticing its residents more into shopping.
“Shop College Park” is a project of the City of College Park’s Department of Planning, Community and Economic Development and is designed to work together with local merchants and others to market all that College Park has to offer. The project’s website http://shopcollegepark.org/ features interactive maps and a database of retail shops, services, events and attractions.
On Thursday, January 20, the group will be holding a “Buy Local and Independent Business Presentation and Workshop” in the City Council Chambers. The workshop will feature Jeff Milchen of the American Independent Business Alliance (AMIBA).
Mr. Milchen will provide numerous success stories of programs developed to support community-based businesses and keep them thriving in the face of competition from chains, online businesses, and others. This presentation is free and open to the public and all are invited to attend, however the workshop is limited to businesses operating in College Park. A registration is required in order to participate in the workshop and lunch. Please register by going to http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/Y58VWP2 or by contacting Chris Warren or Robert Riker at the City of College Park.
More on the presentation and the workshop can be found here.
The group will be holding a preparatory meeting tomorrow at Image Works (5110 Roanoke Place) to discuss organizing and advertising for the January 20th workshop.