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Emporia Main Street E-News Archives Homepage
Each week, Emporia Main Street sends a copy of our "E-News" entitled "This Week on Main Street" out to our members, volunteers and interested citizens.  At the request of several of our members, Emporia Main Street archived our E-News to enable members to look back through past articles.  Thank you for your interest in Emporia Main Street and for your continued support!
 
  • New Blast Format 031312
  • A new anchor in the Black and Gold! Lets welcome the new Kellogg Plaza and Lofts!
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  • Let's add some context. Traffic counts in Emporia, Kansas and what they actually mean.
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  • It is time to join the MOB? Cash mobs in Emporia!!!
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  • The Emporia Downtown Historic District Timeline. We have a new historic district!
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  • Who gets the credit? Who is in charge? Why does it matter? Getting things done in an era of transitional leadership.
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  • Lighting mandates and energy grant deadlines for 2012
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  • The Start Your Own Business Class- Building a better community with home grown resources.
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  • By the Numbers, Local Economic data shows a community core moving in the right direction.
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  • Asset Based Economic Development- If you want more jobs, more choices and a better community, this is the way forward.
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  • A look forward at upcoming events in 2012
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  • Ready for IMPACT- al look at Emporia Main Street's effectiveness by the numbers.
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  • A look back at 2011
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  • A season of giving- Emporia Red Ribbon merchants.
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  • Emporia's Pull Factor- What it is, and why it's important.
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  • Asking Questions, Getting Answers. Using targeted marketing surveys and other tools to make better business decisions.
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  • 2011 Holiday Events
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  • Shop Local: Thanksgiving Specials.
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  • Selling goes beyond discount sales...
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  • An ounce of preventative medicine is worth a pound of cure.- Building Maintanence.
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  • Creating tomorrow's Entrepreneurs TODAY!
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  • Are you ready? Downtown holiday events are here! How can you take advantage?
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  • You WON!!!- Results of the Downtown Symposium Awards Ceremony.
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  • How well do you know Emporia?
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  • Community Building and Planning: How "Clusters" and asset planning aids long term community development.
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  • What Passenger Rail can do for Emporia.
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  • Customer Complaints and business solutions.
  • New Blast Format 091311
  • Price Points- Is your pricing strategy hurting your profit margin?
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  • Advertising- The new rules that can hlep build customers, sales and a brand image.
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  • New events!
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  • More new businesses!
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  • When the going gets tough, the tough get things DONE- New business developments.
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  • Heavy Lifting- New Projects Benefit Local Businesses
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  • Proactive Business Development
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  • Can a Color increase your Profits?
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  • Looking forward by Bobby Thompson
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  • Customer complaints and business solutions: Design, responsiveness, training, business strategy and clear communication can save customers, time, sales, and your reputation.
  • New Blast Format 091311
  • Price Points: Is your pricing strategy hurting your profit margin?
  • New Blast Format 090711
  • Advertising: The new rules that can build customers, sales, and brand image.
  • Copy of New Blast Format 082311
  • Take advantage of events around you (And have fun while you're at it!)
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  • Its not that you are ON social media, its how you USE it. Ten Commandments of interactive social media
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  • Huge business news! : Furniture loft comes to downtown Emporia, Complete Works is expanding and MORE developments and expansions are on the way!
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  • When the going gets tough: The tough get creative, work hard, and partner with doers to get things DONE!
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  • Heavy lifting: New projects benefit local businesses
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  • Proactive Business Development
  • Copy of New Blast Format 071211
  • Can a color increase your profits?
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  • Anual report by Rob Gilligan
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  • The history of Emporia - As told by our buildings
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  • Future spending and demographic trends - How your business can aim for success
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  • Simple (and FREE) things you can do to improve your business!
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  • Making Emporia the most bike friendly city in Kansas!
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  • Historic District Survey Findings
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  • Pubic Meeting on the Proposed Historic District
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  • The Demographics of Emporia Kansas. Population, Income, Market Gaps and more.
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  • Promoting Emporia. The Promotions Committee Year in Review.
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  • The Design Committee Year in Review.
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  • In a Nut Shell. Business Enhancement Committee Year in Review.
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  • No Speculators: How some communities avoid chronic vacancies.
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  • The Future of Fuel and Your Business
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  • Emporia's Most Wanted Business Types: A Brew Pub
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  • SEE the Solution, BE the Solution
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  • A NEW Business Program that can help provide that all important FEEDBACK!
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  • The Case for a Historic District- Part 4
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  • Looks DO Matter! Before and After for Preservation Projects.
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  • Creating a Negative Free Zone
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  • Targeted business types for Emporia.
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  • The art of Communication has changed. Have you?
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  • The first step in community growth is keeping what we have!
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  • What we learned at the Preservation and Sustainability Conference.
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  • Unsung Community Heros! (You can be one too!)
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  • Public Parking Meetings and Discussions.
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  • Year in review for 2010!
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  • Are You Ready for the Biggest Shopping Day of the Year?
    - What is a "zero set back"?
    - Are you holding up OK?
    - Do things slow down for your office in January?
    - Are you done with your shopping?
    - Will the Main Street office close between Christmas and New Years?
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  • More good news!
    - Why do you think Midnight Madness went so well?
    - What national publication was Emporia Main Street in?
    - I'm new in the community, can you help me?
    - I heard you on the radio talking about different incentives for historic buildings?
    - How do you feel about blog comments?
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  • New Development
    - Who were the winning Christmas windows?
    - Can you tell members to standardize hours?
    - Are Historic Tax Credits capped?
    - Can you give me the condensed version of why we need a historic district?
    - How were last weeks events?
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  • How would you like to increase your sales 271%?
    - Whats goin on with Genesis?
    - Whats up with people using "X-Mas"?
    - Were you hanging Christmas lights?
    - When do carriage Rides Start?
    - What are they changing with parking downtown?
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  • A Little Humor can Diffuse a LOT of Holiday Stress.
    - How much money did you raise through Freedom Fest.
    - Have you received items for the soldier care packages?
    - How are people reacting to discussions about a proposed Historic District?
    - Who were the winners in the "adopt a garden" contest?
    - When the city takes out parking meters, wheat will happen to parking?
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  • Branding your Business, Community or Area.
    - Have you visited all the new businesses yet?
    - What do you think about the school board K-8 reconfiguration plans?
    - What was decided at the traffic safety committee?
    - What do you think this holiday season will be like?
    - Can you tell me when the St. Patrick's Day Parade will be held?
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  • The Case for a Historic District, Part III
    - Were you happy with the auction?
    - How was Freedom Fest?
    - Whats with all the new businesses?
    - Why are you into Preservation?
    - What are you going to do on your days off?
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  • Emporia Main Street Public Improvement Auction
    - Do you enjoy talking to the media?
    - What does a Legislative Liason do?
    - What do the Kansas Main Street Awards mean to you?
    - When are you going to take a vacation?
    - Who decided on the super hero theme?
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  • You Won! Kansas Main Street Awards
    - How are auction items coming along?
    - What's this I hear about a song?
    - Have you learned anything from the conference?
    - Is the Water Main project done?
    - Were you suprised to win the directors award?
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  • The Case for a Historic District Part II
    - Are the cartoon characters on the auction invitation supposed to be you and Becky?
    - Who were you walking downtown with?
    - When are the Christmas Ornaments coming in?
    - When do you leave for state conference?
    - Think of Nancy...
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  • The Case for a Historic District, Part 1
    - It's Sunday, what are you doing?
    - How would you link back to photos using Twitter?
    - Can I come to one of your meetings?
    - Can I bounce business ideas off you without making a commitment?
    - Do you take your own advice?
  • New Format General Blast 10-05-10
  • 6 Steps to Great Window Displays
    - Can you predict if a business will struggle when you talk to them?
    - Is Quarter Mania a Main Street fundraiser?
    - What do you volunteer for outside of Main Street?
    - Where do you find information for your articles?
    - Can I donate to the auction if I'm not a member?
  • New Format General Blast 09-28-10
  • Are you ready for 4th Quarter?
    - What do you think of the Clint Bowyer Building?
    - How much longer will the Water Main Project take?
    - You get a little fired up about Emporia, don't you?
    - Why are there so many professional offices by the court house?
    - Is there a difference between a Facebook page and a Facebook group?
  • New Format General Blast 09-21-10
  • Is Twitter Right for You?
    - How Many Businesses have you Signed up for the Granada Bridal and Prom Expo?
    - What's going on with the Winter Furniture Building?
    - What's the status of passenger rail?
    - How will the county cut to your budget effect the program?
    - Who are you supporting for political office?
  • New Format General Blast 09-14-10
  • Great American Market recap
    - How did the market go?
    - Who are the new businesses coming to town?
    - Who won the Adopt a Garden Contest
    - How was the Mingle?
    - What is the next big event?
  • New Format General Blast 09-07-10
  • Working with people that don't have to follow your rules.
    - Are they doing an ESU Homecoming parade this year?
    -How are GAM plans coming along?
    - Did you get any state awards?
    - Do you have any Historic District Plans?
    - Are you getting extra help this fall?
  • New Format General Blast 08-31-10
  • How to create a Facebook Fan or Like Page for your business or organization.
    - How is Great American Market Planning coming along?
    - How did you end up in corporate challenge?
    - When is your next training?
    - What's with all the remodeling downtown?
    - When is the next downtown clean up?
  • General Blast 08-23-10
  • New business resources from Simply Kansas.
    - How was the block party?
    - What did you learn at Quarterly Training
    - How is corporate challenge going?
    - Did you put up the parking meter signs?
    - Any problems with the Water Main construction?
  • General Blast 08-16-10
  • Sprawl- What it is and what you can do about it.
    - Why do you do all that stuff with ESU
    - Why are you inviting non-students to block party?
    - Who were those people you were walking around with?
    - Who decides parking lot usage downtown?
  • General Blast 08-09-10
  • Window Care and Repair
    - How do I make my business more profitable?
    - What do you mean by "one business per booth"?
    -Are we having a bridal show this year?
    - Is it too late to sign up for quarterly training?
    -When are corporate challenge events?
  • General Blast 08-02-10
  • Social Media Tune Up
    - How do you think the retreat went?
    - How did you get involved in the Historic Theatre Association Meeting?
    - So, what's the next big event?
    - Can I be a member even though I'm not downtown?
    - How's the water Main Project coming along?
  • General Blast 07-26-10
  • Dealing with Difficult People
    - Why do they put fences up for the Water Main construction?
    -Was that the last Live in the Lot?
    - How did you get involved in the Gazette's Social Media seminar?
    - Were you happy with the sidewalk sale?
    - How do you feel about metal siding on downtown buildings?
  • General Blast 07-19-10
  • The case for shopping local
    -what do we have to do to participate in the Gift Certificate Program
    -How was the Live in the Lot Beer Garden?
    -Some Garden's are looking better than others- are you going to take any?
    - What does being an accredited Main Street mean?
    -What is going on with the water main and how can I find out updates quickly?
  • General Blast 07-12-10
  • Make a Visual Statement for your Promotional Event.
    - When will the water main get to me?
    - Why were Brown Bag and Live in the Lot held in the Granada?
    - How do you convince people to shop local?
    -Did Becky get her wagon?
    -How will social media effect businesses in the future?
  • General Blast 07-05-10
  • The state of the Organization- By Rob Gilligan.
    - What will the water main tie ins consist of?
    - Annual meeting and garden adoption recap.
    - New Board Members
    -All Committee Meeting
    - How do you handle criticism?
  • General Blast 06-28-10
  • Making the Community Look Better: Carrots versus Sticks
    - Isn't the Water Main Project moving quickly?
    - Who are the young people walking around downtown picking stuff up?
    - Is Twin Rivers a Main Street Event?
    - What do I need to do to come to the quarterly training on Social Media?
    - So, who won the Garden Adoption contest?
  • General Blast 06-21-10
  • Reaching out for Proposals
    - What did the Winter Furniture building sell for?
    - What happend with Live in the Lot and the Farmer's Market mingle this week?
    - Can anyone do Quarter Mania?
    - Can you talk to ____ for me?
    - Why is my credit card company charging me for PCI compliance?
  • General Blast 06-14-10
  • Building a business plan
    - Are we going to have more public meetings about the water main project?
    - How was the upper story conference?
    - Are you going to get involved in the Dirty Kanza next year?
    - Are you going to the state house for the SB430 signing?
    - When are you going on vacation this summer?
  • General Blast 06-07-10
  • The Dirty Kanza
    - Can we hang signs on the chain link pedestrian fence during the water main project?
    - Is the city paying for water meter upgrades (moving internal building meters to the sidewalk)
    - How did the bike race go?
    - Hod did you get involved in the youth entrepreneurs event?
    - What are the Black tubes in the gardens?
  • General Blast 06-01-10
  • Water Main update
    - How did the water main meeting go?
    - Is passenger rail coming to town?
    - Can I ride in the DK Lite if I don't buy a t-shirt?
    - How do you think the CID meeting went?
    - How do you get involved with so many events?
  • General Blast 05-24-10
  • Forgotten Functions: Upper Stories
    - When is the Water Main project going to start?
    - What were you doing with that group of kids Tuesday?
    - How is the Web site coming along?
    - What codes are we currently under?
    - What do you know about this video thing the media keeps talking about?
  • General Blast 05-17-10
  • Design is an...
    - What's going on with Twin Rivers?
    - When is the Water Main Project starting?
    - What was the group you were leading around Saturday?
    - How do you do one of those new Facebook pages?
    - What can I do to help out Nikki B's and the family?
  • General Blast 05-10-10
  • Times are changing: New business trends
    - How was nationals?
    - What can you tell me about the Twin Rivers Festival
    - When can you get us some more banners
    - What incentives are out there for existing buildings or new construction in original parts of town
    - What's up with all the old pictures?
  • General Blast 05-03-10
  • Fund Raising 202
    - What are your policies on sending e-ails to members?
    - When do you do your memberships?
    - Loft apartments/upper story businesses
    - How do you handle being constantly asked to donate?
    - Can you fix the banners on poles?
  • General Blast 04-26-10
  • A First Step in Fundraising
    - How did the Taste go?
    - How do I get in your coupon book?
    - What do I need to be doing to prepare for the water main project?
    - Do you have any promotions coming up?
    -What was that $50,000,000 you were talking about?
  • General Blast 04-19-10
  • Selling a business
    - Why include environmental "stuff" in a Main Street window
    - Are you excited for the Taste?
    - When is the Water Main Kick off Party?
    - Why did you start the Home Based Business Memberships?
    - Do you ever do clean ups that aren't downtown?
  • General Blast 04-12-10
  • Promotions Committee Yearly Review
    - Do you have to go out of town for trainings?
    - How was the Artist Walk?
    - What did you learn in Phillipsburg?
    - Where can I buy Taste Tickets?
    - What do you mean when you say "get involved" in the Altrusa Event?
  • General Blast 04-05-10
  • Design Committee Yearly Review
    - Why do we need block captains?
    - Why are you such a data nerd?
    - How do you determine when to post business specials?
    - Who are the live music events at the Artist Walk?
    - When can we talk to you about business questions?
  • General Blast 03-29-10
  • Business Enhancement Committee Yearly Review
    - What is the community going to do for the Lady Hornets National Championship Team?
    - What do you think of the new High Gear?
    - Any new businesses coming to town?
    - What can you do to make people clean up their store fronts?
    - Can you update me on the water main project.?
  • General Blast 03-22-10
  • Improve the Economy through Preservation and Revitalization
    - Can I buy a bike rack that won the design contest?
    - Can other communities go to quarterly training?
    - Do you have any gardens left for adoption?
    - Can you sign us up to adopt a planter?
    - Why did the state come down for goal setting?
  • General Blast 03-15-10
  • It's time for some spring Greening and Cleaning!
    - Who won the awning/sign grants?
    - Can Artist still get into the Artist Walk?
    - Whan are you going to put the new logo on the web site?
    - Do you think any new businesses will come out of the "Start Your Own Business" class?
    - What are you doing for Spring Break?
  • General Blast 03-08-10
  • A New Era in Decision Making- Welcome to the Petabyte Age
    - When can I purchase "Taste" tickets
    -Can I get St. Pats Parade Forms @ your office?
    - When is your next upper story tour?
    -How do you get on the board of directors?
    -Anything I can do to help with....?
  • General Blast 03-01-10
  • The Language of Building Preservation. Terminology used to describe parts of buildings and links to guidelines.
    - Do you consider Wal-Mart local?
    - How should you use the ESU Survey?
    - Can Main Street produce business specific surveys?
    - How can we get ESU students more involved?
    - What are we doing about the state of the banners downtown?
  • General Blast 02-22-10
  • The Branding Process in your business: how to Land a better Brand.
    -Why is Main Street spending money on bike racks instead of automatic door openers for handicapped people?
    - How are the ESU surveys coming along?
    - Are you including non-members in the water main promotions this summer?
    - Can we do some additional changes while the water main project is going on this summer?
    - When are we having another CID meeting?
  • General Blast 02-15-10
  • What does your floor plan say about you?
    The plan for downtown
    Summary of the water main meeting
    Students signed up for the Start Your Own Business course
    Webinars for businesses
    Gardens up for adoption
  • General Blast 02-08-10
  • The anatomy of a promotion
    Garden irrigation plans
    Electronic Parking Meeter feedback
    Will you get this business for us?
    Rear building revitalization
    Did you help Tony purchase his building?
  • This Week at Emporia Main Street 02-01-10
  • Identifying additional business resources for YOU!
    Did you know?
    -"What were you doing in Topeka on Thursday?" From a member.
    -"How is Becky doing?" From everybody.
    -"Can I send out a link to your survey?" From the ESU Bulletin, another local organization and a few volunteers.
    -."Can you tell us what you think about "it"?" From a variety of people.
    -"So do you just set your own direction?" From an out-of-town individual unfamiliar with the Main Street concept.
  • This Week at Emporia Main Street 01-25-10
  • More redevelopment help is on the way!
    Did you know?
    -"My business has an awning, but it needs some serious repair. Can the Sign and Awning Grant be used on replacement of existing, or does it have to be brand new? From a member business.
    -."How was training?" From a member.
    -"What is up with the parking survey in the Gazette?" From a local citizen, a Topeka media member and an Emporia Main Street member that all called the office.
    -"How many responses do you want from the ESU survey?" From an ESU student working with us.
    -."How is the High Gear remodeling coming along? From SEVERAL people.
  • This Week at Emporia Main Street 01-18-10
  • FREE MONEY!!!
    Did you know?
    -"Can I reprint/copy the information in your e-mails?" From a few different people.
    -."When is your next Merchant Cooperative meeting?" From a member.
    -."When is the St. Patrick's Day Parade?" From a Wichita area resident that called the office.
    -"I can't attend the training on the 21st, but I would still like the information, can you bring stuff back for me?" From a Promotions Committee Member.
    -"How did Congressman Jerry Moran find out about the mingle?" From a person attending the Blue Fox/Home Based Business Mingle.
  • This Week at Emporia Main Street 01-11-10
  • Chance favors the prepared mind.
    Inventory your knowledge (and that of your staff), and determine its "market value. You have identified your inventory, now what?. Expand your media reach. Be opportunistic. Update, update, update!!!
    Did you know?
    -So, when does the Start your own Business class begin?
    -How do they determine my property value?
    -Um, pictures???" From a Main Street member that was disappointed I didn't include Expo photo links on the last e-mail
    -Is there any way we can leave the lights up downtown longer?
    -You're not a state office, but you report to the state?
  • This Week at Emporia Main Street 01-04-10
  • Let's get this party started right!
    Meet consistently. Meeting notifications should include agendas. Make sure to include overtly positive portions of the meeting. Include an open forum. Keep a booklet dedicated to meetings.
    Did you know?
    -What's the big difference between us and them?
    -Will I get anything out of the Main Street Training in January?
    -Any resolutions for the coming year?
    -Were you happy with the Granada Bridal & Prom Expo?
    -How do you figure out what to charge for _____?
  • This Week at Emporia Main Street 12-28-09
  • Year in Review...
    January- Kayla Oney worked with the MUP Board and...
    February- A public announcement was made...
    March- Casey Woods is hired as the Executive Director of Emporia Main Street at ...
    April- Becky Smith is hired as the Emporia Main Street Events Coordinator. Two events...
    May- Preservation month activities are executed, including...
    June- The Flint Hills Music "Live in the Lot" concert series begins
    July- Jimmy John's and Bravo Salon announce their intentions to locate in the almost finished...
    August- Quarterly Training covering community initiated development and...
    September- The Great American Market was an absolutely huge event that brought...
    October- Emporia Main Street changed it's logo to the current version and showcased the change...
    November- $800 was raised for the local veteran's memorial through Freedom Fest, a bike...
    December- The home based subcommittee produced its first "Quarter Mania" event which took...
    Did you Know?
    -So who owns that building?
    -Anything new coming up soon?
    -Is the office taking time off for the holidays?
    -How much are the bike racks going to cost the city?
    -Why are some people so negative in Emporia?
  • This Week at Emporia Main Street 12-21-09
  • Get in gear for the end of the year!
    Check the rear view. Gear up for inventory. Set your marketing calendar. How's your budget?. Where would you like your business to be this time next year?. Formulate a strategy beyond your four walls
    Did you know?
    -I've always wondered this... Why isn't your office actually on Commercial Street?"
    -"Were the bike racks that you're proposing suggested by the community?" From a city official
    -"What do we need to do to fill some of these stores in town?" From a community member.
    -."How did Kris Kringles Kids Shoppe go?" From a Red Ribbon Merchant.
    -.-"How did Carriage Rides go this year?" From a fellow volunteer at the Optimist Club Tree lot.
  • This Week at Emporia Main Street 12-14-09
  • Link Barrage!
    Did you Know?
    -"So I hear we are better off than the rest of the country in this economy, why do you think that is?" From a community member at an event.
    -"What private sector improvements have you excited for 2010?" From a Main Street Member.
    -"Who is participating in the Kris Kringle's Kids Shoppe?" From a local merchant.
    -"How was your first Breakfast with Santa?" From a local media member.
    -"What concerns you most for next year?" From the same individual that asked what I was excited about.
  • This Week at Emporia Main Street 12-07-09
  • The importance of Branding
    Did you Know?
    -"What is the vacancy rate downtown?" From a community leader.
    -"I keep hearing about pull factors... What is that, and what does it mean for Emporia?" From a Main Street Member.
    -"What is "Design Assistance" from Main Street?" From a community member.
    -"I saw your "gist of the surveys" question, can you print me off a copy?" From a local media member.
    -"What's this cooperative store I'm hearing about?" From a local merchant.
  • This Week at Emporia Main Street 11-30-09
  • Sequel Surveys.
    You can find the original EHS survey by clicking HERE, but the ESU survey must contain some different options and questions for our ESU student body. A few suggested questions from Main Street committee members are...
    Did you know?
    -"So who does the decorating downtown?" From a community member.
    -"Can I get a copy of the EHS survey?" From a Main Street Member organization.
    -"Did you guys do a clean up on Saturday?" From a community member.
    -"So, can you give me the gist of the surveys?" From a local merchant.
    -"I keep having all of these ideas, but I don't have time to do any of them for this Christmas..." From a local merchant.
  • This Week at Emporia Main Street 11-23-09
  • Simple Surveys, Complex Answers.
    Did you Know?
    -"Are there any booth spaces left in the Granada Bridal Show?" From a Main Street member.
    -"What's up with the tree trimming?" From a community member.
    - "Do you have back ornaments from previous years?" From a gentleman that called the office.
    -"I'm having a hard time making some of the meetings, but I would still like to volunteer for Main Street, do you have anything for me to do?" From one of my favorite merchants on the 500 Block.
    -"Are you going to change YOUR holiday hours?" From a Main Street Member.
  • This Week at Emporia Main Street 11-16-09
  • Parking Meter Feedback...
    Did you know?
    -"A friend of mine told me you spoke in Osage City the other night, was that a Main Street deal"? From a community member.
    -.-"Should we do anything different for after Thanksgiving On-line sales promotions?" From a member.
    - "You had some information I wanted to bring up to employees in a past e-mail, can you resend it?" From a member.
    -"What is the Christmas Ornament this Year?" From a community individual.
    -"Can you update the information on my membership page on your web site?" From a Main Street Member.
  • This Week at Emporia Main Street 11-09-09
  • Preparing for Black Friday...
    Did you know?
    -"I'm hearing about the city water main project, what exactly is that going to mean for me"? From a downtown business person.
    -"How do you think the economy will effect my business this Christmas season?" From a member.
    - "You talked about the logo, what else is are you coming out with?" From a citizen at a speaking engagement.
    -"Thanks for the Facebook tips. What else can I do from a social networking standpoint to help my business?" From a Main Street member.
    -"What are YOU doing to bring more jobs to this town?" From a frustrated local citizen.
  • This Week at Emporia Main Street 10-30-09
  • State Conference Tidbits That Save You Time, Money and Sanity!!!
    Did you know?
    -"I'm getting hit up by charities all the time. What happens if I just start saying "NO" to everyone"? From a local business person.
    -"Can you talk to my employees about 4th quarter stuff?" From a member.
    -"Is the bridal show still a go?" From a participating vendor.
    -"If I don't want to run or ride, can I still contribute to Freedom Fest?" From a community member.
    "What's up with the demolition of the building in the 1100 block?" From SEVERAL people.
  • This Week at Emporia Main Street 10-26-09
  • YOU Won!!!
    Did you know?
    -"Did you know what awards Emporia Main Street was receiving before the Awards Symposium"? From a volunteer.
    -"So, guys in gowns, huh?" From a community member.
    -"I want to get my name out there more, but I don't have a lot of extra money right now, can you help?" From a local business.
    -"When are you going to slow down?" From a board member.
    -"When can I use the e-mail list you collected from the ESU Block Party?" From a Block Party Participant.
  • This Week at Emporia Main Street 10-16-09
  • Design Lines.
    Did you know?
    -"How did the auction go"? From an auction attendee.
    -"How exactly did you convince (I won't put the persons name in) to take a pie in the face?" From a community member...
    -"So, when you say this new logo is part of a larger revamp of the marketing plan, what do you mean?" From a promotions committee member.
    -"Can I get one of those shirts?" From an auction attendee that saw the new Main Street shirts with the new Main Street logo.
    -"I need to get my staff energized for the holiday season, can you help?" From a local retailer.
  • This Week at Emporia Main Street 10-09-09
  • 3/50 and more...
    Did you know?
    -"How's the auction coming along"? From an individual level member.
    -"How's the auction coming along"? From an individual level member.
    -"What do you do at a Basic Training?" From a volunteer.
    -"Does it cost money to come to your auction?" From a community member.
    -"Any ideas on how I can increase my sales this holiday season?" From a local retailer.
  • This Week at Emporia Main Street 10-02-09
  • The Case for Space...
    Did you know?
    -"Can you explain the concept of sustainable development"? From a community Q & A at the First United Methodist Church.
    -"When is the next open mingle date?" Lots of people at Town Royal...
    -"Can non-Main Street members donate items to the auction?" From my mother-in-law.
    -"When are you gone next week?" From a board member.
    -"How can I pull new people from (insert a section of town here) into my store? From a local retailer.
  • This Week at Emporia Main Street 09-25-09
  • Fourth Quarter Hints, Tips & Techniques that benefit YOU!
    Did you know?
    -"What does CID stand for"? From a leadership group I spoke with.
    -"Why don't we have a ____ in this town?" Several people over several months.
    -"Are there more upper stories being used since the CID project." From a member.
    -"How much notice will we get before the new water main goes in?" From a downtown building owner.
    -"Where will the new bike racks go?" From a bike rack designer.
  • This Week at Emporia Main Street 09-18-09
  • Business Succession Planning = Business Success!
    Did you know?
    -"How did the Great American Market go"? From several people.
    -"Are you still having the Bridal Show?" I have to admit, this was relayed from a "blog", because no one has asked me this question personally.
    -"Are you going to send more stuff to our soldiers later?" From a community member via the phone.
    -"Any new businesses coming to Emporia?" I get this one constantly.
    -"Who takes care of the gardens downtown?" From an individual at a group I spoke to this week.
  • This Week at Emporia Main Street 09-11-09
  • Bike Rack Design Competition
    Did you know?
    -"I saw your Facebook profile encouraged people to "stay positive", how do you manage to do that". From a non-member community individual.
    -"So, what's your plan to fill buildings?" A city employee.
    -"Do you still need volunteers for the Great American Market?" From a committee member.
    -"When is the next garden judging?" From one of our adopt-a-garden volunteers.
    -"When are you shipping items off to Steve Harmon?" From several community members.
  • This Week at Emporia Main Street 09-04-09
  • Donation FRUSTRATION!!!
    Did you know?
    -"I heard that you are helping out the Cross House, but they aren't really downtown... What gives?"- Asked by a community member.
    -.-"When did you find out Tom Brokaw was coming to town?" From a member.
    -"How many people did you have for the clean up on Sunday?" From a city official.
    -"What can you say about a certain business in the news?" From everybody.
    -"When are you shipping items off to Steve Harmon?" From several community members.
  • This Week at Emporia Main Street 08-28-09
  • But will it make MONEY???
    Did you know?
    -"So when is this upper story development going to start happening?"- Asked by some community members.
    -.-"Where did you guys get the idea for this Great American Market?". From a market participant.
    -"Can anyone be a member of Main Street?" This question was asked at a meeting where I was the guest speaker.
    -"I couldn't participate in Block Party, how can I reach out to the college students?" From a Main Street Member Business.
    "So, do you guys actually believe the stuff you say about shopping local? I mean, am I going to see you in Topeka or some big store somewhere?" From a colorful individual that visited my office.
  • This Week at Emporia Main Street 08-21-09
  • The SECRET formulas of profitable developers and business investors...
    Did you know?
    -"How many people were at Block Party?"- Asked by a lot of participants.
    -.-"Where can I get some props for my windows?". From a local merchant.
    -"When is the next downtown clean up?" This question was during a "back to school" discussion.
    -"So, what's the next big event we can participate in?" From a Block Party participant.
    -"So, are you satisfied with all the great stuff you have going on downtown?" From a community member.
  • This Week at Emporia Main Street 08-14-09
  • It comes from within...
    Did you know?
    -"When is Jimmy John's going to open?"- Asked by so many people I've lost count...
    -.-"How do I get signed up for the Great American Market?". From several community members.
    -"How much do you make?" This question was asked by a community member in response to budget situations encountered by the city and county.
    -"What are you doing to get make ESU students aware of our business?" It wasn't stated just like that, but the question came from a business owner.
  • This Week at Emporia Main Street 08-10-09
  • Measuring the Market...
    Did you know?
    -Private investmet in the downtown district during the 2008-2009 fiscal year was $2,250,105.
    -New businesses downtown during the 2008-2009 fisccal year equals 17.
    -Number of new jobs created during the 2008-2009 fiscal year equals 57.
    --Over 2,000 volunteer hours worked during the 2008-2009 fiscal year.
    -"Over the life of the Emporia Main Street program, over $650,000 of various financial assistance have been given to local businesses and organizations.
  • This Week at Emporia Main Street 07-31-09
  • Summer Sale After Event Report...
    Did you know?
    -"Who won the garden contest?" A local merchant (and adopter of a garden).
    -"What do I need to do to get registered for the Main Street Quarterly Training next week?" From a business member.
    -"When are we having the next LOGO meeting?" From a Design Committee member.
    -"How do you get on an Upper Story Tour?" - From a building owner...
    -"Do you have to be downtown to be a member of Main Street"- This question has been asked A LOT...
  • This Week at Emporia Main Street 07-24-09
  • Lets talk ENHANCEMENT...
    Did you know?
    -"What are they doing at the Symmonds and Symmonds building?" A local community member.
    -"What's up with your web site?" From a business member.
    -"So, which logo won?" From a committee member.
    -"What do you do at a retreat?" - From a new member...
    -"Should I come to the Quarterly Training"- From a business...
  • This Week at Emporia Main Street 07-17-09
  • In Depth...
    Did you know?
    -"Do I really need to put a table outside for Summer Sale?" A local retailer.
    -"Any new businesses starting up soon?" From members of the community.
    -"What do I need to do to have a great booth at the ESU Block Party?" From a downtown merchant.
    -"Can you help with transition planning?" - From two area businesses...
    - Not really a question, more of a comment...
  • This Week at Emporia Main Street 07-10-09
  • In Depth...
    Did you know?
    -"What do we need to do to prepare for quarterly training?" A local retailer.
    -"How is The Villas project coming along?" From members of the community.
    -"What do I need to do to get a booth at the Block Party and at the Summer Sale?" From A LOT of people.
    -"How much does a mingle cost/what do I have to do to host a mingle?" - From several atendees at last night's mingle at "The Noose"...
    -"Is the Farmer's Market a Main Street event?"- From a community member at Wednesday's market.
  • This Week at Emporia Main Street 07-03-09
  • Intelligent Design...
    Did you know?
    -?"What's up with the sales tax rate?" Variations of this question were submitted by several Emporia Main Street Members.
    -"Explain to me more about this Community Initiated Development (CID)" From members of the community.
    -"What can you tell me about this beer-garden ordinance?" From A LOT of people.
    -"So, what is Main Street doing to help the Twin River's Festival?" - A few visitors to the office...
    -"Are all the garden irrigation systems working?"- From an individual adopting a garden.
  • This Week at Emporia Main Street 06-26-09
  • Promoting Emporia!!!
    Did you know?
    -?"So, how is Cory Haag's Granada Lofts project going?" Submitted by several people.
    -"How did the Gazette mingle go?" From a member.
    -"Where do you get your funding?" From a community member.
    -"How do you like the new job?" - Almost everyone I bump into...
    -"I see you out talking to businesses a lot, is that kind of your thing?"- From an Emporia Main Street Member.
  • This Week at Emporia Main Street 06-19-09
  • Eight Great Ways to Encourage FUN at Work!!!
    Did you know?
    -What are all the 49 KTKA news trucks doing here? Submitted by several casual passers by.
    -"How do you decide who gets awards at the annual meeting?" From a member who attended the annual meeting.
    -"Who are your new Board Members? Tell me about them." From an attendee of our annual meeting.
    -"So, who are the officers this year?" - A member of the media...
    -"So, how do you decide which members get to participate in Live in the Lot"- From an Emporia Main Street Member.
  • This Week at Emporia Main Street 06-13-09
  • More on Accessibility...
    Did you know?
    -For the passers by that honked, the business owners that waved and the people that stopped on the street and asked "what the heck are you doing pulling weeds?"
    -For the passers by that honked, the business owners that waved and the people that stopped on the street and asked "what the heck are you doing pulling weeds?"
    -From a business owner, "If I use Facebook marketing I can really cut back on my advertising costs, can't I?"
    -"Anything new coming to town?"... That question gets asked almost daily.
    -From a member/friend of mine: "I saw you in a meeting when people were talking about sandblasting a building and it looked like your head was going to explode, what's up with that?"
    -"What are your office hours?"- From a community member.
  • This Week at Emporia Main Street 06-05-09
  • Super SEVEN Business Investments!
    Did you know?
    -At the Celebrate Emporia Event, a Main Street member asked how we could generate more positive national media attention for Emporia.
    -This question has been asked A LOT by a variety of different people..."How is the Adopt a Garden Project going?"
    -Again, from a variety of different people... "I keep reading about this money your giving out, tell me about it..."
    -This was from a community organization... "What do we need to do to get an event listed on your e-mail?"
    -From two member businesses and another local organization.... "I liked your Facebook suggestion for businesses, how do we get started?"
  • This Week at Emporia Main Street 05-29-09
  • 10 FREE Things you can do RIGHT NOW to improve your business!
    Did you know?
    -Adaptivley reusing a 25 foot store front building is the equivalent of recycling 1,344,000 aluminum cans.
    -Part of the energy conservation of a downtown building comes from the fact that buildings generally "share" walls. Heating and cooling three sides of a building (front, roof & back) is generally less expensive than five (front, left side, right side, roof & back).
    -If everyone on the planet lived as we do in the United States, we would need the equivalent of SIX PLANET EARTH'S to support our resource consumption
    -The construction portion of the Emporia Landfill has less than FIVE YEARS of space left in it.
Emporia Main Street
12 E. 5th Avenue
Emporia, Kansas 66801
(620) 340-6430

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