Main Street News: March 28th

Not only is our office busy getting ready for Showcase this week, but we are also celebrating “Mom & Pop Business Day” on Tuesday March 29^th. The definition of a “Mom & Pop Business” is a small, independent, family-owned business. Unlike franchises and large corporations, which have multiple operations in various locations, Mom and Pop Shops usually have a single location. That being said, Barnesville is home to many of these businesses!

          The vision of a small-town Mom and Pop stores serving the community is one of Hollywood's favorites. We not only get to see it on TV and in movies, but we get to live in the heart of it. Knowing their customers so well, is a huge advantage for small town businesses. Their customers are also reliable and return so frequently. They are our friends, family and neighbors; and we build a special bond with them each time the visit the store.

          You can find many of these Mom and Pop businesses at Showcase this Saturday, April 2^nd at the Barnesville High School from 10 am – 2 pm. We have over 40 different vendors who are all ready to showcase what they have to offer. We also have a full entertainment schedule, a fabulous food court and door prize drawings. The students from the school have also been busy to get ready for the Student Art Show. Come out, bring the family, and enjoy the day. There will be something for everyone!

Main Street News: March 21st

“Do you have trouble hearing?” asked the teacher of a youngster who sat dreamily at his desk.

“No, Ma’am,” replied the boy. “I have trouble listening.”

Anyone who has every worked with children, either as a profession, a volunteer or as a parent can relate to that quip. Actually, it reflects some adults too! 

Most of us are like that. The ability to listen is not an inborn trait. It takes a conscious effort to do it well.  Successful listeners are people who: Listen intently - their minds do not wander. They concentrate on what the other person is saying. Repress their own egos - they don’t interrupt. Nor are they thinking only of what they want to say when the speaker finishes. Are patient – nothing is more annoying than a person who has no patience to hear you out.  Are concerned – they care about what the other person is saying because they are about that person.

Showcase 2016 is an opportunity for businesses to reach out to their customers and listen. Many of the businesses participating really want to connect with their customers and do that. They will listen and try to meet your needs. Perhaps Showcase doesn’t allow enough time for you to sit down with that business manager or owner and work out specifics of your situation, but it is an opportunity for you as a customer to meet them. You can reach out to them and take that first step. 

Whether you are an ‘old’ customer or a ‘new’ perspective one, those businesses at Showcase want to connect with you and are happy to visit that day and in the future. They want you to do business with them. They appreciate their customers and are committed to our community. Their presence at Showcase is just one more piece of evidence of that.

Showcase 2016 will be Saturday, April 2. Stop by the high school from 10am – 2pm for a chance to visit with many businesses or check out someone new. We have a large variety of vendors that are looking forward to seeing you at their booth. It’s free admission so you can’t beat the price!

Barnesville is fortunate to have the businesses that are willing to support Showcase, say thank you to their customers and ‘show’ to those in attendance what they have to offer. Come out and join them in a great day of hospitality, business, entertainment and good food.

You could be surprised at who is exhibiting. Try a business you’ve never been to or worked with before.  Think outside of your ‘normal’ routine and give some local business owner a shot at obtaining your business. They have committed to our community. We, as individuals, can give them our business and support the community at the same time.

Main Street News: March 14th

At this year’s Showcase 2016, we will again host the Kid$ in Bu$ine$$ division.  It is an addition to the show in which kids can be the exhibitors.  Kids in grades 4th-12th are welcome to have a booth in which they can sell items which they have made or sell a service which they are interested in providing.

It is a chance for that young entrepreneur, that young business person, to step out into the business world and get their feet wet. Some are truly talented with the merchandise they’ve sold.  Some are very professional and have ‘grown up’ signage, flyers and display methods.  Some are naturally outgoing in personality and greet customers as they pass their booth.  ALL are excited to be doing their business and to be part of Showcase opportunity.

In past years, many kids have had booths hoping to make some money for their savings accounts or that item they have been wanting.  Who knows what products and services we will find this year. Those attending Showcase should be on the lookout for the young entrepreneurs.  Take some special time to visit with them, ask them questions about their booth and help them learn about being a business person at the same time.

Information on having a booth has been distributed in the schools, but if you missed it, registration forms are available in my office.  If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to give me a call at 354-2479.  I’d be glad to give you more information.  The Showcase Committee looks forward to having a great turnout at the show this year – as Kid$ in Bu$ine$$.  

Main Street News: March 7th

            It is no secret that doing business has changed as technology has advanced. Could you imagine going about your normal day without new technology, doing business none the less? No phone, no calculator, no computer? Think of looking something up in a book instead of doing a simple Google search. Technology these days is supposed to make life easier for us, but for some it has made it more challenging. Keeping up with the newest social media platform, creating a website or even coming up with a direct mailing are things people have said they struggle with.

This week, the Main Street Program is teaming up with the Barnesville EDA to sponsor a Small Business Marketing Workshop to help you with these new resources. Ryan Pesch will be here from the Minnesota Extension to share information on e-newsletters, Facebook for business, free websites, cooperative marketing, and direct mailings. There will also be time for businesses and organizations from town to share with each other what has or hasn’t been working for them. There are numerous tools out there to take advantage of to enhance and grow your business. This is a great opportunity to gain some insight on these tools and how to overcome the challenges of incorporating them into your business.

The Small Business Marketing Workshop will take place on Thursday, March 10^th From 11:45 am to 1:00 pm upstairs at Wells Fargo Bank. The cost is $5 and includes lunch from the Barnesville Dairy Queen. For planning purposes, please contact Bailey at the Main Street Office to register no later than 9 am that morning. To register or questions, please call 354-2479 or email mainstreet@bvillemn.net .

Main Street News: February 29th

Do you know of or are you involved with a group or organization that needs money?

If you are active in our community, then I’m sure you answered YES.  All of our community based organizations have worthwhile projects that they are looking to fund.  So much good work goes on to help others, make Barnesville a better community and move those special interest groups forward in their goals, that most could use a few extra dollars all year round.

If you answered YES to that question, I have a proposition for you.  Consider having a Food Booth at this year’s Showcase on Saturday, April 2 from 10 am – 2 pm.   The ‘old’ gym at the high school will be busy on stage with many different types of entertainment all day long and the crowds come to enjoy the talent showcased there that day.  And they come hungry!  Many are looking for a late breakfast, some lunch, something to drink or just a snack.  It’s a great way to help fund your group and it doesn’t have to be a great deal of work. Part of the fun of attending any event is the mouth-watering food served.  We look forward to having a wide selection for all attending.

The Showcase committee is looking for food booth vendors for the day and will coordinate to avoid duplication of items.  That means no two booths will be selling the same thing.  We want you to be a success!  Youth groups, civic clubs, sports groups, 4-H clubs and more are all welcome. 

If you are interested in having a food booth, have some special food offering and also want to get the word out about your organization, just give me a call at 354-2479.  I’ll be glad to give you more information to help you decide and welcome you to be a part of Showcase.  A Showcase Food Booth is FREE, but you do need to let me know soon – space is limited.

Main Street News: February 22nd

Every day in our walk in life, we have the opportunity to promote Barnesville, to encourage growth of businesses, our school and our entire community. Telling people why we choose to live here, telling them about the things we enjoy about our community, telling them about the school system and about the businesses, services and organizations that we have are all qualities that we shared. We do this through our business and personal interactions everywhere we go. Just mention Potato Days and everyone’s heard about Barnesville!    

Coming this week is another huge opportunity for us to tell others our story. Friday and Saturday, volunteers will be visiting with interested visitors to the Barnesville Booth at the Home and Garden Show at the Fargo Dome. Many people that are interested in leaving the larger communities for a small, town to raise their families will be there to learn more about what Barnesville has to offer and what sets us apart from the other similar size towns in the area.

The volunteers that are helping to tell the Barnesville story this weekend include city council members, EDA board members, Main Street board and committee members and residents. They all have a special interest in doing what they can to help grow Barnesville. We appreciate their generosity in giving their time and enthusiasm at the booth. They continue to work at making Barnesville a better place for us all – current and future residents. 

It’s been said, “Enthusiasm is NOT the same as being excited. One gets excited about going on a roller coaster. One becomes enthusiastic about creating and building a roller coaster.” This quote sums up the attitude of many of the volunteers for Barnesville that we work with. They are building a better Barnesville through their enthusiasm.

Main Street News: February 15th

            It has been an exciting few weeks in the Main Street Office, especially when the mail comes! Between membership dues coming in and people signing up for Showcase, I have been busier than ever.

First off, I want to thank everyone who has already sent in their membership dues. We are so fortunate to have so many people who value their membership and know they are benefiting Barnesville through their commitment. But secondly, I want to thank the new members that have decided to join this year. This has been the most exciting part, to see names of businesses and people who see the impact the Main Street Program has in Barnesville. You too should be excited about what you are doing for this community! I want to let you know that you should be receiving plaques to post in your place of business or home very soon.

Also, to those that are still considering joining I would like to encourage you to take part. If you have not been contacted and would like more information, please contact me and I would be more than happy to share the benefits of becoming a member! The Main Street program has been in existence in the Barnesville community for 25 years and continues to work very hard to promote our city as a great place to live, work and play though numerous projects and events throughout the year. Our annual membership drive helps us bring in needed revenues to continue these projects and make plans for other ways to help our community.  

            If you have any questions about the Main Street Program or may be interested in becoming a member of the program for 2016, please feel free to contact me at the office by calling 354-2479 or sending an e-mail to mainstreet@bvillemn.net. Barnesville is great, but together we can make Barnesville better than ever!