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Everyone had a great time at Quarter Mania last Thursday.  Emporia Main Street is always looking for innovative ways to help you market your business, and Quarter Mania is a fun way to market to an energetic public.  The next Quarter Mania is December 9th.


Emporia Main Street 
E-Newsletter
Greetings!

We are getting ready for our first every "How its made" tour this Thursday (RSVP TODAY if you are interested in attending), and fourth quarter is right around the corner!  Lots of exciting things are happening at Main Street to benefit you.  Keep reading for more information.

      

How it's Made Tour
Due to the popularity of "The Upper Story Tour", Emporia Main Street has come up with another exciting community event. On Thursday September 25th at 6:30 the first" "How It's Made " tour will commence.This will be a series of tours throughout the community demonstrating  how local products and services are produced right here in Emporia . It is a great way to spend a Thursday evening ,strolling our streets, meeting with the local businesses and seeing first hand "How It's Made " right here in Emporia. The first tour will showcase Complete Works, The Sweet Granada and Uncommon Threads. Each site will demonstrate what they make, have some hands on activity and send you home with a special gift. Please reserve your spot early by calling the Emporia Main Street office at 340-6430 or e-mailing us at [email protected]
Please reserve your spot no later than 5:00 p.m. on September 23rd.


Big Brothers Big Sisters

  

  Mobile App QR Codes

 Learn more about local amenities, organizations, businesses, events and more with the E-Town Mobile App!  The ETown App is a joint project among Emporia State University, Flint Hills Technical College, USD 253, The Emporia Gazette, the City of Emporia, the Emporia Convention and Visitors Bureau and Emporia Main Street.

 

For IPhone Users, click here: 

 

For Android Users, click here: 

 

For the iPad Version, click here: 

 

https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/e-town-app-emporia-kansas/id712001984?mt=8 

 

For the Web Version, click here:

 

www.etownapp.com 


 

Backyard Composting Workshop

Composting utilizes natural processes of decomposition to turn organic "waste" materials such as lawn clippings, leaves, and food scraps into a nutrient rich soil amendment. This class will cover the basics of composting such as choosing the right bin, building and maintaining a compost pile, and ways to utilize compost in your own garden to improve the overall health of your soil. Compost's role in the overall waste management program of the community will also be discussed.  All students will leave with a countertop compost pale donated by BioBag.

Instructor: Eric Nelson

Cost: $5

Saturday, October 4th, 10:00am-12:00pm

 

 

MS Word 2010 Fundamentals

Designed to give proficiency in creating, opening, formatting, saving, and printing a document.  Explore how to edit documents and automate tasks. Format text, characters, and paragraphs. Create tables, control page layout and use proofing tools. Prerequisite: Knowledge of Windows, keyboard and mouse.

Cost:  $89

Instructor: Don Eusey

Tuesday/Thursday, Oct. 7 & 9, 6:00-9:00pm

 

 

Lead Renovators Certification - Initial

This course includes both EPA-approved lead safety training and KDHE certification. Any contractor performing qualifying work must employ at least one Certified Renovator who has successfully completed this training, in addition to being registered as a renovation firm with the Kansas Department of Health and Environment.

Provided by an approved KDHE training provider, this will satisfy the new requirement for individuals to attain KDHE lead certification in Lead Paint Safety for Renovation, Repair and Painting (RRP). Attendees who pass the certification exam will be certified as renovators to perform lead-safe work.

Cost: $150

Instructor: Rex Smith

Tuesday, Oct. 7, 8:00am-5:00pm

 

 

Word Press for Beginners - Sponsored by IM Design Group 

WordPress is a powerful tool that can be used for everything from writing and sharing blogs to creating state-of-the-art websites and much, much more.  This class will give you the tools to build your own blog or website, using the popular (and free!) WordPress platform.  In this class, you'll learn how to design your own blog/website, how to pick a domain name, what WordPress plugins and widgets are, and how to use them.  By the end of the class, you can have your own brand-new, modern website up and running.

Note: Students may bring their own laptops to work along, or simply watch the presentation and take notes.

Cost:  $45

Instructor: Brandon Stiner

Tuesday/Thursday, Oct. 14-16, 6:00-9:00pm


 


To enroll in any of these classes please visit http://flinthills.augusoft.net  or call Amy at 620-341-1392.

 

 

      

ESU Homecoming Shop Hop
October 18th is ESU Homecoming, and this event represents an opportunity to bring ESU alumni and guests into your business.  We have tested the "shop hop" concept on three separate occasions, and we are now ready to step up to a potentially larger crowd. For this Shop Hop version, we are looking for businesses open from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on Saturday, October 18th.  If your Main Street Member business would like to participate, please forward the specials that you will run no later than Thursday, October 9th.  We will include those specials on a Shop Hop lanyard map that encourages individuals to shop or dine at participating locations.  As individuals finish their "hop" they can drop off their lanyard and passport map to the Granada Theatre for the chance to win prizes in a drawing at a Granada event held that evening.

So far, participating businesses include:
2nd Love, Town Crier, The Sweet Granada, Studio 504, Rockin Accessories, Little Red Rooster, Mulready's and Complete Works.  If your business would like to participate, contact Emporia Main Street with your special no later than October 9th.

    Halloween Activity   

Halloween- Trick or Treat and Haunted Tours
Trick or Treat will take place downtown on Saturday, October 25th from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.  So far, businesses that have signed up to participate are: Town Crier, Studio 504, Sweet Granada, Rockin Accessories, the Little Red Rooster, High Gear, AKA The Sports Fan, Studio 11, Complete Works, Java Cat, Junque Drawer Emporium, Bath Expressions, Jimmy Johns, Dynamic Discs, L & L Pets, Browns Shoe Fit and Lyon County State Bank.  If you want to participate, we need to know by October 21st.

    Auction Group Shot   

Public Improvement Auction
Proceeds from the Public Improvement Auction this year will go towards banner replacement and some other very needed aesthetic upgrades downtown.  The Public Improvement Auction is Thursday, October 30th at the Granada Theatre.  Silent auction begins at 5:30 p.m. and the live auction begins at 7:00 p.m.  Auction donations and participation are appreciated!

   

Emporia Arts Center Pottery Classes
For more information about the Emporia Arts Center, upcoming classes and events, please CLICK HERE.

    Freedom Fest Group   

Freedom Fest
Freedom Fest, a fundraiser for the local All Veteran's Memorial, is Sunday, November 9th at the All Veteran's Memorial and Soden's Grove.  A new addition to this year's activities is the new "tanker tough" obstacle course challenge which will raise funds for the families of reserve duty military personnel.  For registration information, please CLICK HERE.

Property Availability Guide
For property owners with property available for rent or sale, this is a free service to collect information and post it on the Emporia Main Street Web Site.  With other market information available, we hope this site makes it easier for potential businesses and property developers to find spaces they need.
CLICK HERE to enter information about your available property and view previously submitted information.
Business Investment Guide
Business Investment Guide 
 

Do you know a business that should locate in Emporia?  Maybe you know an entrepreneur looking for resources or a business owner looking to expand?  The Business Investment Guide is community information designed to help you point your contacts in the right direction!

 

CLICK HERE for the INVESTMENT GUIDE

Is Your Store Visually Appealing?

Helpful hints to get your store ready before the 4th Quarter!- by Lauren Woolard

The Holidays are right around the corner (only 92 days until Christmas, can you believe it?). Is your store ready for 4th quarter? There are some very simple steps you can take to have a clean, visually pleasing store that customers enjoy shopping in! Some of these may seem like common sense, but it's good to have a reminder of the basics.  

 

Keep your Store Tidy

 


 

Nothing turns off a customer like a cluttered or dirty store. Keep your store clean and your merchandise organized.  Merchandise should not be on the floor or ground level. If customers have to bend over to pick it up, it is too low.

 

Deep clean once a month. Take a Sunday afternoon or evening with the store is closed and dust baseboards, clean fixtures, etc. You'd be surprised how much can accumulate!

Your store should always look full, but not cluttered. If you are low on inventory and are waiting on a new shipment, shuffle some things around so that racks or shelves aren't empty

 

 

 

 

Keep clothing racks Neat and Organized

 

A cluttered rack can be overwhelming. Take the time to size your racks (smalls in front, mediums in middle, etc) and make sure they aren't too full. If you have cascading racks, keep no more than 2 hangers per hook, and keep the same number of hangers on each hook.


 

Multiple types of hangers on a rack can make it look junky. Stick to one type of hanger for a cleaner look. While wooden hangers are nice, they can also be expensive. Plastic hangers are fine, as long as they are the same color. Wire hangers tend to look cheaper, so steer clear of those.


 

*Crafty Hint- A fun way to perk up your hanger situation is to 

wrap them with fabric. Its very easy and livens up a display! CLICK HERE for a tutorial.


 



 
 

Change it up!

 

  

Change your displays often. Move merchandise around. Putting it in a new location can give it new life. While you should always put your newest merchandise on display, find ways to incorporate older inventory as well. For example, pair an older necklace with a new top.


 

Place complementary products together. If you sell DVD players, DVDs should be close by. Selling shoes? Socks should be next to them, etc. Pairing these items together can help increase the total sale. 

 

Put a Price Tag on Everything

Price is a large factor in deciding whether to buy an item. Customers like to make those decisions without having to go up to the counter and find out how much an item costs. Make sure every item is priced and clearly marked. You may not always be available to answer questions and could miss out on a sale.


 

  

window

Show how to use the Products in Real Life

 

 

Mannequins are a great way to show off your merchandise. They can show a customer how to style an outfit and what it will look like with other items in the store.


 

 If a customer comes in and says "I love your shirt! Where did you get it?" I hope your answer is "here!". Try as much as possible to have your staff wear your items, but also use them. Your staff is your best selling tool. If they know how the product works, fits, etc they can answer questions and help encourage a sale.


 

Stage your items. Customers want to be able to envision where a piece will go in their home. When trying to sell large items or furniture, give them an example of how they could pair it and how to stage the room.

 

Start now to get these small things under control before the stress of the holiday season hits. It is easier to maintain during busy times rather than to start from scratch. Remember, Pinterest is your friend! If you are feeling like you don't know where to begin, or just need a little bit of inspiration, Pinterest is your answer. You can find many different merchandising ideas as well as lots of fun DIY ideas to spruce up your store there. 

 

Im a Main Streeter 

 Did you know???

Last week, we attended a traffic and safety meeting, met with a local tax credit specialist to talk about Historic Tax Credits, attended a Traffic Safety Meeting to talk
Veteran's Banners are in!  We are in the process of sorting and attaching narratives now.
about changes in parking enforcement, attended a CVB meeting, met with some local businesses to acclimate them to their first 4th Quarter, hosted a board meeting, held an on-site code team meeting for a potential business expansion, held Quarter Mania, met with ESU officials concerning the design of a new type of entrepreneurial funding and received several RSVP's for the "How it's Made" tour and stories for the Veteran's Banner project.  We are getting geared up for the 4th Quarter, and that means some
 good questions from all of you
!
 
1.  "How did quarter mania go?"- From a volunteer.  Quarter Mania remains a fun and effective tool to introduce the public to local store fronts and home based businesses.  The individual contacts made and positive exposure produced secures businesses in the minds of the consuming public.  New businesses, home based businesses and long standing businesses have benefited from their participation in Quarter Mania in the past, and the Emporia Main Street variation of the Quarter Mania concept actually pays member businesses for their participation (an event that actually pays YOU; that's pretty cool...)  December quarter manias are definitely our most popular, and our next Quarter Mania is scheduled for December 9th.  Let us know if you would like to participate.

2. "How long have you known about SEARS?" From an Emporian. For a long time...  But, I can't say anything about a business opening or a business move until given permission by that business.  I'm here to help...  The move will allow the usage of a historic building, but SEARS also gains several advantages.  Some consumers indicated they had a hard time finding the current location, and the new spot at 511 Commercial will allow for greater visibility.  The rent rate is significantly lower, which will allow the locally owned SEARS franchise to dedicate funds towards additional marketing and customer service efforts.  Local ownership was excited to move to an area that exposed them to different types of traffic, and downtown's redevelopment efforts continue to draw drivers, walkers and bikers that can provide both shopping and that all important word-of-mouth advertising.  We were happy to assist the property owners and the retail owners in this process, and we look forward to continuing assistance in the future.

3. "What is the How it's Made Tour going to be like?"  From a media member.   As an individual that grew up on a farm/ranch operation, it always concerned me when people thought their milk or meat came "from the store".  When you find out how something is made, and you see the effort behind local products, you gain an appreciation for quality and effort.  The How it's Made tour grew out of an idea proposed by the Promotions Committee that interacted with similar concepts from the Business Enhancement Committee and tour successes from the Design Committee.  Our volunteers understand that when people interact with somethings production, consumers appreciate the value and locally made/owned portions of the consumables.  The tour itself will consist of introductions to three local businesses that make their own products, and you will have the opportunity to watch (or interact with) products being produced.  This is the first tour of this type conducted through Emporia Main Street, so we will need your feedback to improve future tours.  But, we have a lot of businesses in town that make really cool items, and it's time to find some creative ways to get the word out to the general public.

4.  "Can you help my town?" From six different communities last week.  As many of you know, I serve as the President of Kansas Main Street, Incorporated in addition to my duties as Executive Director of Emporia Main Street.  After the Kansas Preservation Conference I had a number of Kansas communities reach out asking for help.  Some needed help with a specific project, some needed advice on a singular pressing issue in their community and the majority simply needed "help".  Since the cancellation of the Kansas Main Street program as a function of the Kansas Department of Commerce two years ago, I have personally talked to approximately sixty Kansas communities seeking "help".  Community development that focuses on a sustainable economic structure through the revitalization of existing areas, promotions that bring pride and traffic to a community, design elements that make a community more attractive and appeal to consumers and business enhancement efforts that create new resources and data for existing and potential businesses is difficult.  It takes consistent boots on the ground and a large volunteer base that understand (and can implement) multiple disciplines.  In this election season, you will hear a lot about how people support "this or that".  I would ask you to take every opportunity to talk to candidates at all levels about how they plan on providing real, tangible support to "this or that".  Talk is cheap, but doing something often isn't; especially when doing something requires tangible results that go beyond speaking or writing some flowery words.

 

5.  "What's up with some of the alleys downtown?"  From a local citizen.  Some of our alleyways behind local businesses are immaculate, but some are not...  Remember that it is very important for building or business owners to clean their alleyways immediately adjacent to their buildings on a consistent basis.  Aesthetically, alleys that are exposed to parking can send a bad message to consumers if they are in a state of disarray.  But, the big danger to an unkempt alley is much more costly than just being unattractive.  Trees have a tendency to grow at the point where an alley meets the building.  As trees grow, they act like a hydraulic jack and can damage foundations, cause leaky basements and create voids where water can expand and contract (during freezing and thawing) that can end up costing business owners A LOT of cash over time.  Take a few minutes and clean up your back alleys just like they were any other part of your building.  An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.

In This Issue #264 09/23/14
How Its Made Tour
Big Brothers Big Sisters
ETown Mobile Application
Flint Hills Technical College Classes
ESU Homecoming Hop
Halloween Trick or Treat
Public Improvement Auction
Emporia Arts Center
Freedom Fest
Properties Available
Business Investment Guide
Taking advantage of festival traffic
Did You Know?
Calendar of Events

President's Circle

 

ERG

Emporia Realty Group

www.emporiarealtygroup.com

608 Commercial

620-412-9850

 

IM Design Group  
 
IM Design Group

www.imdesigngroup.com

17 W. 5th

620-343-3909

KISS logo

541 Sherman

www.kiss103.1.net

620-343-6144

Benefactors 

 

Bobby D's

 

Cable One

 

ESB Financial 

 

KISS 103.1 and The Dawg

 

KVOE AM 1400KVOE FM 101.7MIX 104.9

 

Longbine Auto Plaza

 

Moon Title & Escrow

 

Price Family Enterprises 

 

Roberts Blue Barnett Funeral Home

 

Town Royal

Emporia Main Street Calendar of Events

 

 

September 24

Business Enhancement Meeting

8:00 a.m.in the Emporia Main Street office.

 

September 25

How It's Made Tour

6:30 p.m.

 

October 18

Oktoberfest

 

October 25

Eek Town Trick or Treat and Haunted Tours

 

October 30

Public Improvement Auction

 

November 9

Freedom Fest

 

November 29

Small Business Saturday

 

 

Do you have an upcoming event for your business or organization?

 

 

 

Let Emporia Main Street know and we may include it on our upcoming calendars! 

 

 

General Level Members

 

AKA Marketing

 

Amish Woodworks

 

Applebees

  

Ash LLC

 

Atherton & Huth

 

Bank of America

 

Bath Expressions

 

Ben Moore Studio

 

Bennett Dental Group

 

BG Consultants

 

BLI Rentals

 

Bluestem Farm and Ranch

 

Brown's Shoe Fit

 

Bruff's Bar and Grill

 

C & J Woodworks


Candlewood Suites

 

Capitol Federal

 

Cassell Insurance

 

Chester Press

  

Clark Carpet and Tile, Inc.

  

Coffelt Sign Co.

  

Complete Works

  

Country Mart/Price Chopper

 

Dan's Hands Massage

 

Davis Paints

 

Disciple Shoppe

 

Dorsey Eye Care

 

Douglas Chiropractic

 

Dr. Kerri Thompson, DDS

 

Dynamic Discs

 

Eastwood Lake Apartments

 

Ek Real Estate

 

Emporia Construction and Remodeling

 

Emporia Radio Stations: KVOE, 104.9 & 101.7

 

Emporia State Federal Credit Union

 

E-Town Solutions

 

ESU Memorial Union

 

Evergreen Design-Build

 

Flint Hills Eye Care

 

Flint Hills Mall

Association

 

Flint Hills Music

 

Floyd's Automotive

 

Forget Me Not Productions

 

Four Seasons Apartments

 

George Groh and Sons

 

Gerald Schumann Electric

 

Granada Coffee Company

 

Graves Drug Store

 

Haag Management

 

Hair Krafters

 

Heart Center Studio

 

Helbert & Allemang

 

High Gear

   

Java Cat Coffeehouse

 

Jimmy Johns

 

Junque Drawer Emporium

 

Kansas Radio 96.1 The Wave

 

King Liquor

 

L & L Pets

 

Lyon County State Bank

 

Lyon County Title 

 

Mark II Lumber

 

McDonalds

 

McKinzie Pest Control

 

Midas Touch Tans

 

Mike Alpers Agency

 

Mr. Sisters Sweets

 

Modern Air Conditioning, Inc.

  

Mulready's Pub

 

Navrats Office Supply

 

Papa John's Pizza

 

Pizza Hut

 

Pizza Ranch

 

Plum Bazaar

 

Poehler Mercantile

 

Pool and Associates

 

Prairie Sage Apartments

 

Pro-Cuts

 

Rand Simmons Law Office

 

Redline Trucking

 

Reflxns Salon

 

Rhinestone Cowgirl Salon

 

Sauder Custom Fabrication

 

Schellers Lawn and Landscape

 

Scott's Lawn and Landscaping

 

Second Love Gifts

 

Stanley Jewelry

  

Studio 11

 

Subway

 

Sunflower Gymnastics

 

Sutherlands Lumber Co.

 

Sweet Granada

 

Textbook Corner

 

Thompson Auto Repair

 

Toso Appraisal

 

Total Technology

 

Town Crier Bookstore

 

Triad Leasing

 

Uncommon Threads

 

Value-Net LLC 

 

Waters True Value Hardware

 

Westar Energy

 

Williams Automotive

 

Wright CPA Group PA

 

Wright's Furniture

 

Xan-A-Do Salon

  

Non Profit Level Members 

 

Big Brothers Big Sisters

 

Cradle to Career Cneter

 

Emporia Eastside Community Group

 

EHS- FBLA

 

Emporia Arts Council

 

Emporia Chamber of Commerce

 

Emporia Farmers Market

 

Emporia Friends of the Zoo

 

Emporia Presbyterian Church

 

Emporia Friends of the Library

 

ESU- Alumni Association

 

ESU- Small Business Development Center

 

ESU- Memorial Union

 

ESU- Theatre Dept.

 

Flint Hills Community Health Center

 

Granada Theatre Alliance

 

National Teachers Hall of Fame

 

Saint Francis Community Services

 

Salvation Army

 

SOS

 

TFI Family Services


Home Based Business Members

 

Avon- Amanda Hopkins

  

Gold Canyon Candles- Stephanie Morgan

 

Green Door Recycling

 

Interdependent Web, LLC

 

Longaberger Independent Consultant -Judy Dieker

 

Mary Kay- Lori Engle

 

Nicole Bradshaw Designs

 

Origami Owl- Angela Dowell

 

Paula's Creations

 

Pampered Chef- Chelsea Gerleman

 

Purse Lady- Nancy Crawford

 

Scentsy/ Grace Adele- Kelly Long

 

Tastefully Simple- Vanessa Apodaca

 

Thirty One Gifts- Linsey Hopkins

 

Individual Supporters

 

Amy and Rick Becker 

 

Amy Evans

 

Brad Harzman

 

Dale & Carolyn Davis

 

Don Hill

 

Erin and Casey Woods

 

Joyce Zhou

 

Julie Johnson

 

Kayle Oney

 

Kelly Wade

 

Lynn Knechtel

 

Mark and Amy McAnarney

 

Michael and Karen Shonrock

 

Valerie and Matt Zimmerman

 

Roger Heineken

 

Smitty Smith

 

Sue Blechl

 

Tim & Mary Helmer

 

Tyler & Melanie Curtis

 

Yvonne Pool

  

                                                                                       Main Street Logo                             
                                   Casey Woods                                       
Emporia Main Street
12 E. 5th Avenue
Emporia, KS 66801
(P) 620-340-6430
(F) 620-340-6434
Vision without action is a daydream. Action without vision is a nightmare.
-Joel A. Barker