News Release
| 6/12/06 - Mainstreet Quick Look Notes 6/12/06 |
| FREE Shoplifting Seminar Tuesday, June 13 – This past winter, more than ever before in Steamboat, shoplifting was a huge problem for downtown merchants and perhaps the city in general. Thousands of dollars in merchandise shrinkage was reported throughout the downtown. Items taken were not limited to small trinkets that could be easily stuffed in pockets. We aren’t the sleepy little town we once were where we could blindly trust everyone. Shoplifters are very skilled in their methods and are targeting businesses who may be unaware of things they are doing that encourage shoplifting. To address this growing problem, Main Street and the Steamboat Springs Police Department are encouraging all retailers to attend a FREE shoplifting seminar Tuesday, June 13 in Centennial Hall from 8-10 AM. Learn ways to thwart shoplifters, how to spot suspicious activity, simple ways to protect your store and become a part of a network to alert others when a shoplifter is operating in our midst. No registration is necessary. For more information, call 846-1800.
Task Force Formed to address Flat Sales Tax – The Economic Restructuring Committee has been tracking the sales tax numbers for the past year. While it is true that the numbers have mostly recovered to the pre-9/11 levels, those gains have been minimal in comparison to the sales tax numbers in the other areas of the city. The gains are the greatest in the Highway 40 Corridor and West of Steamboat, however these areas have gained many more businesses than the downtown area in the last few years. With the available retail space in downtown limited to the present stock and only 5 retail spaces vacant at the present time, the numbers downtown cannot change as rapidly as they can in the other areas. An informal poll of merchants indicates that this past winter was just OK, certainly no record breaker. Our biggest competition is not ourselves. It is the other ski areas where sales tax increases are in the double-digit range, while Steamboat overall plugs along in the 8% range and downtown is in the 4% range. To address this problem, a task force has been formed to brainstorm and implement new strategies for improving the lagging numbers in downtown. Using information from the Jon Schallert “Destination Creation” seminar in May, the task force will be seeking ideas for making downtown a destination, not only for the visitor who is already here, but for those people who might be looking for a place to visit. Cultural Heritage Tourism, Arts and Entertainment, and more events that draw visitors to the more cultural side of Steamboat are just some of the ideas being tossed around. Look for more to be happening in this area in the months to come. Do you have ideas for the Task Force to consider? Call Tracy – 846-1800
Mainstreet Farmers Market – Saturday, June 17 – 8:00 AM – 1:00 PM – Courthouse Lawn – Fresh produce, bakery products, natural meats, value-added food products, bath and body products, clothing, arts and crafts. It is not too late to register if you wish to participate. Information: 846-1800
Mustang Rally Show and Shine – Saturday, June 17 – 10:00 AM – 3:00 PM – Lincoln Avenue. Lincoln will be closed to regular traffic. Encourage your employees to use the Stockbridge Center to park and ride the new Downtown Shuttle to work, leaving what few parking places are available for customers. Shuttle service is every 10 minutes from the Stockbridge Center.
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