WE REALLY DO WANT YOUR BUSINESS... DON'T WE?
What other business community can keep you occupied for an entire day. In Old Walkerville you can go to the health studio, have breakfast, get your dog groomed, have your hair done, eat sushi at an ice cream parlour, buy unique gifts, shop for furniture, go antiquing, break for lunch or high tea, buy art, get a massage, have a bout of aroma therapy, buy or sell comic books, purchase flowers, get your car fixed, buy a car, buy a bed, go to a pub, listen to jazz, dine for the evening and cap it all off with a pint or a martini.
BESIDES THE RESIDENTS OF OLD WALKERVILLE WHO KNOWS THAT!
It's not even certain that the Old Walkerville Business Association fully appreciates what they have or how they can cultivate it. With Art in the Park only three days away it seems that the business district is not synchronizing with and capitalizing on one of the most successful venues which the City of Windsor has to offer. For that matter, the City of Windsor should be protecting their stake in this too.
Little to no advertising or promotion is out there to draw Art in the Park patrons to extend their experience to the businesses along Wyandotte. There have been few, if any, attempts to clean away graffiti and dirt. The planters which the BIA installed in front of shops still have dead plants in them from last year (with the exception of a few visionary businesses). Gardens and flower boxes have not been planted...this list goes on. The new self watering planters are up but that's about it.
If all of these things could be accomplished within the next three days Walkerville and Art in the Park would be better for it. The Old Walkerville Business District would become that much more of a destination unto itself.
Do the businesses in Old Walkerville have what it takes to get all of this stuff done before Art in the Park? We'll find out in three days. The spoils belong to them if they can pull it off. Here are some starting points:
SHOPS LOOK GOOD. PLANTERS NEED PLANTS
NOT THAT HARD TO REMOVE
TAKE IT OFF
WHO'S GOING TO BE FIRST TO BREAK A LEG AND GET ELECTROCUTED
CLEAN THE BOX, WEED THE TREE BEDS
WHO'S GOING TO BE FIRST TO BREAK A LEG AND GET ELECTROCUTED
CLEAN THE BOX, WEED THE TREE BEDS
ADD FLOWERS TO ALL OF THESE FLOWER BOXES AND PLANTERS
DID THE PARKS DEPARTMENT FORGET TO PLANT THIS BED AND CUT THE GRASS?
A LITTLE ELBOW GREASE
DID THE PARKS DEPARTMENT FORGET TO PLANT THIS BED AND CUT THE GRASS?
A LITTLE ELBOW GREASE
RIGHT IN THE SIDEWALK. LITIGATION ANYONE?
PLUCK THE SUCKERS AND PLANT THE BEDS
TIME FOR THE LANDLORD TO SPEND SOME MONEY
PLUCK THE SUCKERS AND PLANT THE BEDS
TIME FOR THE LANDLORD TO SPEND SOME MONEY
Leading with Business Saavy
These business owners clearly understand:
WOW!
WHO WOULDN'T WANT TO HAVE THEIR DOG GROOMED HERE?
THE NEW DINING EXPERIENCE
TRUE RESPECT FOR THE COMMUNITY
TOTAL PRIDE
GEM. BEST KEPT SECRET
BREAKFAST, LUNCH OR SUPPER. ANY TIME.
ATTRACTIVE BRAND SUPPORT
A few cans of grafitti remover (available at Home Hardware), some plants and a good sweep is all it takes. Small investment with a lasting return. Give Windsor residents and our out of town guests a memorable time. You can bet they'll come back for more. Totally doable in 3 days.
41 comments:
Maybe next year the BIA members, businesses and their staff(s) can get together the week before Art in the Park (the same way Monmouth Road Residents do) and clean up.
Also maybe a little more advertising to pull some business from Art in the Park.
Olde Walkerville really needs an active residents association that can partner with the BIA. After speaking with members of the BIA, I've learned that they really want the residents to form, but legally cannot jump in to take the lead.
Hello Monmouth residents? Come lead, and for sure others will follow - including myself! You've got the team-building experience and I know the entire district will be better for our volunteer time.
In response to the photo of the front sidewalk of our building, The Gourmet Emporium, we're a bit upset that your photo was posted to the "shame column!" - the photo shows the sidewalk repair in progress.
Walk by today and you'll see it's been repaved with beautiful interlocking brickwork - much better than the crumbling concrete that was there before.
While we all appreciate your diligent policing of the neighbourhood and bringing light to areas that need help, I wish you would have stopped in to inquire about the construction before snapping a photo and jumping to the conclusion that we weren't taking care of our little corner of the 'hood.
The Gourmet Emporium is proud to be doing business in Walkerville!
We are holding a free venue for local artists to exhibit their work. "Gallery in the Alley" Saturday June 7th 11a-7p (at our expense) behind our building to coincide with Art in the Park
Our patio will be open soon - hence the sidewalk repair!
We employ over 20 people, mostly from the Walkerville Area.
We have spent a large amount of money beautifying the area and our building, trying to create a comfortable and unique experience for local residents and visitors alike.
We appreciate your business and welcome your comments.
Please feel free to email me at sean@gourmetemporium.ca for a copy of the photo or with any questions or concerns about our business or our commitment to Old Walkerville. (I also have an updated photo of the front of our building and would be happy to send it to you to post on your blog in lieu of the construction photo)
-Sean Bellemore, Managing Partner
Your businesss objectives were never in question. We are looking at the BIA as a whole. Let's look at this particular scenario as one down. Two days to go. Keep up the good work.
Any business that doesn't take advantage of the planters which were placed in front of their shops probably runs their operation the same way. Too bad. There's no longevity in that.
Why did they put up all of those permanent cone planters if they are not going to use them. Planted, they look great. Unplanted, they make the street look like crap. What a waste of time and dollars.
Some of those planters were placed too close to bulidings and when kids walked by they woudl pull on them only to have the planters bounce back and do damage to the buildings.
As for the weeds in the city kept areas. Take a look at downtown and the new concrete (and ugly) planters they just built! They have more garbage in them than the garbage bins, a few euonymus bushes that look horrible and no flowers (except what the DWBIA has done).
Look at what is supposed to be our jewel parks and you will see the same thing; Weed infested with a row of maybe two of flowers, unkept bushes, garbage strewn about. This is what happens when a city slashes the parks & rec's budget.
Eddie states that he wants Windsor to put it's best foot foward but compare us to any other city and you will see a vast difference in their park system. Is Eddie only, once again, paying lip service? Where is the city's civic pride?
Walkerville is one district of the city that's on the rise. Downtown take note! And thanks to MoM for giving recognition where it is due.
Some of those empty planters got filled in time for Saturday morning. I was happy to see them with bright flowers at 11am on our way in. Don't know if they read it here first, but way to go. That hole's still there though. :(
You owe Mr. Bellmore an apology. It was quite clear that the construction going on in front of his building was an improvement project. We do not need people like you harassing people who are actually working to improve this town.
People like you??? Like who??? Seems to me that M.O.M. gave the Emporium a high pedestal and a plug to boot. Who implied that the construction was a bad thing or that it was even Mr. Bellemore's doing? In fact, the post was rather constructive in it's challenge. Have you looked at Wyandotte since last week? Looks like everybody made good. The merchants along Wyandotte can thank each other for a job well done. People like you? Really now.
Regarding the picture of the mailbox, with caption (in part) CLEAN THE BOX. This is something we can all do ourselves. I'm not sure what the status of the adopt-a-mailbox program is currently, but I did sign up and I'm cleaning (and recleaning) the mailboxes in my area (which is not in Walkerville). It's quick and easy.
For all of the taggers (grafitti fools) in this city I think we should come down a helluva lot harder on these punks. The sad thing is for the majority it isn't little teenagers but early 20 year olds. I say smack their hands with a hammer and they won't tag anything in the future!
Bite Your Tongue - People like you meant people who take pictures and anonymously post them on the internet in an attempt to shame others, as opposed to people who contribute to the community. Originally MOM had posted a picture of sidewalk construction in front of the Emporium with a snide comment. Luckily Mr. Bellemore saw it and set the record straight in his above comment before too much negative publicity could surround his business. That doesn't sound like a high pedestal or a plug to me.
Hey Kildarean...
Your knickers are bent. We all have the same objective here (to present our town in the best possible light). What prompted the post was the amount of needless "infractions" if you will, that don't lend well to putting a best foot forward. None of them the fault of any merchant but all easily correctable by any or all in the business community. If only for the sake of business.
Admitted, the pics were taken a few days earlier. The remark which you label as "snide" (Is that word in the same family as "snooty"?) was:
"This can't be good for business".
The picture was of a road barrier over a hole in the sidewalk. There was no offense in that. Merely an observation which I shared with a photo.
When Sean replied three things were done: The pic was pulled and a new one was posted with kudos. Sean's comment was left in tact because it was fair game and a good plug for his Art in the Park event.
Alas but for you Kildarean...
Since I dine and drink at the Emporium from time to time and don't want to lose my martini or food rights, please accept this open apology to you and all similary offended parties.
P.S...Great job Sean and congratulations to the entire BIA. The flowers are in, the sod laid. Looks fabulous. All in three days. Very, very cool.
WOW! Wyandotte is much improved. All of the baskets planted, hanging baskets are up, new grass in the mini park and all of the trashy looking flyers are gone from the hydro poles. This is the best looking business area in the city.
The real test is to see if they keep those plants watered. Last year they just let them bake to death in the sun. I see the garbage receptacles are already overflowing onto the sidewalks. Who is responsible for those?
As to the wall of shame, empty planters issue. Just to let everyone know. Old picture!!Taken at least 2 weeks before NOT just days before Art in the Park! I know this for a fact because I purchased flowers for my "cone" on the 25th!! I was one of the few retailers that spent my own cash on flowers instead of waiting for the BIA! In this photo my large black urn is planted and has been for some time! I have been a fixture in Walkerville almost 8 years and have always taken pride on my store presentation. Have you seen my little area out back?? It takes alot of courage and hard work to make a small business thrive especially in this economy, your negative words certainly do not help our struggle! I have lived in Walkerville for almost 20 years and absolutely love it!Instead of any negative issues in the area lets focus on all the positive and watch Walkerville thrive! Laurean Stobbs owner Timeless Treasures
Where is the "wall of shame" which everyone is talking about? I have walked up and down the strip and can'td find it.
The sod was laid on Thursday afternoon before Art in the Park. Flowers went into most of the planters by Friday evening.
I fail to see anything wrong with the way the Mayor presented this. No store names were mentioned, he gave an excellent accounting of all that the community has to offer and highlighted the shops which were ahead of the curve. Most things got done in time. Some like graffiti still need to be fixed. Overall, the strip looks nicer than any other in the city. Why complain?
Why complain? Because he took a picture of construction (which barely lasted a day) in front of Gourmet Emporium and posted it with a complaint, even though the owners were trying to improve the sidewalk. He used an old picture of Jones/Timeless Treasures and badmouthed them because of their lack of flowers, even though the flowers were planted well before his posting. No store names were mentioned??? He took pictures of the storefronts! Give us a break, "mayor," and give up on the investigative reports. You can't use old pictures and pass them off as recent pictures. It's dishonest.
All of you certainly are complaining! Whining is more like it. Neither the Emporium nor Timeless treasures were cast in a bad light. When the pictures were taken is irrelevant. The article merely pointed out that such issues, if not taken care of, were not the best way to capitalize on Art in the Park. Last year, most of those planters were planted once. They were left unattended, never watered and so they died. That's what passers by witnessed all summer and winter long. Thats why some buisnesses took it upon themselves to plant them this year. Because right up until mom posted this article it looked like a repeat of last year. The balance of the planters did NOT get planted until a day before Art in the Park. Same goes for the quick sodding over the flower gardens in the parkette. Graffiti on one door or mailbox is not one shop's problem. It is a problem for the entire business community. Same goes for a pipe jutting out of a sidewalk, cigarette butts adorning gardens and sidewalks in front of bars and eaterys or electrical wires exposed to weather, curious children and animals. The fact is that Mom did more to promote the area by advocating everything which the area has to offer. All of this whining is negative, childish and unproductive. Embrace the commentary as the positive and constructive advice it was meant to be. Your work is not over just because Art in the Park has passed. There are still weeds to pick, planters to plant, graffiti to remove and garbage cans to be emptied. And guess what. On a regular basis. The mayor gave you the most basic and soundest marketing advise you will ever need. Run with it.
Amen.
And by the way. "Investigative report?" LOL. It's a photo exposé. Why even try to argue with a photograph?
To Laurean and Anonymous,
The caption under the pic of Timeless Treasures says "Looks Good, needs plants" (refering to the cone planters). I fail to see what is negative about that. You were certainly not the first to put plants in the cone planters as is evidence in other pictures. You also admit that you planted early because you couldn't wait any longer for the BIA. Obviously the Mayor was not out of line. He only pointed out what you were already quite aware of. Don't worry. You'll get a A. on your report card.
nice self posts.
Yet again Mr. Mayor I would be happy to personally pay and buy you lunch so that I can explain who and what the BIA does. It is obvious that you are definitely missing information. I have asked you many times to contact me, ask me any questions - there are very valid reasons why things happen the way they do with respect to the flower baskets, cones, plantings etc. Why is it that you have never chosen to hear the other side of your stories? The business owners within the BIA are very much like the residents - very proud to be in Walkerville. Wouldn't it be better if we could work together to get things done? Wouldn't it be better if we could have a stronger, more unified voice on common issues instead of always printing assumptions and wrong or incomplete information. I promise I won't bite - let's meet for lunch and I'm sure you'll see the other side and write your future blogs with a better understanding.
Thank you
Joan Charette
Coordinator
Walkerville BIA
Hello Joan…
Let’s look at this a little closer. Here is what I wrote:
“What other business community can keep you occupied for an entire day. In Old Walkerville you can go to the health studio, have breakfast, get your dog groomed, have your hair done, eat sushi at an ice cream parlour, buy unique gifts, shop for furniture, go antiquing, break for lunch or high tea, buy art, get a massage, have a bout of aroma therapy, buy or sell comic books, purchase flowers, get your car fixed, buy a car, buy a bed, go to a pub, listen to jazz, dine for the evening and cap it all off with a pint or a martini.”
Was the BIA put out by this? You would think that I nudged a hill full of army ants. Perhaps there are some very “valid reasons” why the planters were not filled or why the park flower gardens were not sodded over until a couple of days before Art in the Park. If, as you suggest, there is another side to the story, what harm will it do to present that case in this forum or, better yet, as I have offered to you in the past, write your own post to this blog.
I don’t think that the pictures in the blog were based on any assumptions. They were just “point and shoot”. The images are what they are. The images did not portray wrong or incomplete information. They merely offered evidence that certan things needed to be done in order to portray the BIA in the best light. In fact, if one goes out to take more pictures today they will see that the graffiti is still there, that the electrical box and pipe jutting out of the sidewalk are still there and that tree planters are still home to suckers, weeds and cigarette butts.
So…In four days thousands of people are going to be hoofing and driving through the BIA, going to and from the fireworks. Will these few, simple things be rectified by then? There are probably “valid reasons” as to how and why the BIA plans to address this too.
Is it just me or wouldn’t a call to 311 get the ball rolling on the electrical issue, the tripping hazard and the tree planters? Is it just me or wouldn’t a call to the post office get the graffiti issue cleared up on their mail boxes? Is it just me or wouldn’t it be easy to go to Home Hardware and purchase a couple cans of graffiti remover to take care of that problem on private properties? This can certainly all be achieved before Monday Afternoon…Wouldn’t you think?
Just another nudge.
are you going to meet her for lunch?
On three conditions:
1) I am granted a spot in the BIA. (Non-voting member) - Other conditions may apply)
2) Joan has to get a Marlena Dietrich song in at one of her venues.
3) Lunch is not necessary but if it is...I buy.
You're right. Calling 311 or calling the post office would be easy. A lot easier than walking around taking pictures, and then posting those pictures on a blog and commenting on them. Much easier, actually.
Even easier to make smart ass comments on a blog and do nothing....
yep this is working....Bad Mayor Bad Pictures. Don't make people look Bad...You call 311 I'll sit here in front om my computer and keep telling you how Bad your are. I'm sure it will help.
Nice grammar.
mayor are you meeting Joan Charette for lunch?
It seems to me that Windsor is following nicely in "last minute" Eddie's attempt to keep those who want the city to go an extra mile down.
Please, can anyone tell me how taking pictures and suggesting how to IMPROVE an area is:
A) Bad-mouthing business.
B) Negative to the area.
C) Dishonest
This is nothing more than constructive criticism which this city dearly needs and deserves.
For those people attacking M.O.M. How about lending a hand? I clean up an entire city block because our city rarely does it and when it is done it is done half-assed.
But no, let's shoot the messenger because of the truths told. Any wonder our city is in the shape it is in? Is this just an expansion of a Bushism "You are either with us or against us"?
Anonymous:
Are you suggesting that Walkerville residents or perhaps customers should report the problems to 311? When should they do that? After they trip on something?
While I can see why Sean of GE was a little cheezed, and so would I have been if I was in his shoes, let's be honest ... MoM has been a strong promoter of and a great asset to Walkerville by way of this ongoing blog. Whether you agree with his comments or not, the intention was clearly not to offend anyone, and he gave fair billing to both the bad and the good. And I'm sure we can all agree that Walkerville has a little of each. Please don't shoot the messenger!
Do Walkerville residents actually have a CLUE about the "new, nice sod" in the Jubilee Parkette?? This is another JOKE by the City of Windsor. Does anyone realize that the city removed the beautiful boxwoods, flowers and landscaping in the park and just covered it with sod so there is no more upkeep?? IT IS A DISGRACE TO THE WALKERVILLE BIA AND THE RESIDENTS! This park was always the pride of the area, especially the residents on Kildare Road. There is a nice park with a beautiful iron clock and benches, now surrounded by the "beauty" of cement, grass and weeds. What, did the city need the boxwoods and flowers for the new arena??
To Rob...
I think they killed two birds with one stone. They sodded quickly to make it look good for Art in the Park and killed their maintenance oblgation for the flowers and shrubs which were there originally. They are sooo lucky that we've had all of this unseasonable rain thanks to which all of that Kentucky Blue and the cone planters are still thriving. Maybe it's time for some Gorilla Gardening.
I know myself and others in the area really want to go down to the park and rip all of the sod out and replace it with our OWN flowers with, unfortunately, our own money. Actually, the residents on Kildare Road alone are willing to donate items from their own gardens to plant there. That park was really the only "green" space in the BIA area and it should sparkle and look inviting. We are not sure if the city will fine us for what they would call, "destroying" city property. Any suggestions??
There must be a documented reason why the Parks department opted to make this change. The park is still very new and, as you pointed out, the original layout included the large round garden and the garden framing the clock and sitting area. A good guess would be that it was a budget issue or a fast down and dirty solution for Art in the Park. A polite phone call and query to the Parks Department would probably gete you an answer. They may also have a program in place which supports community gardening. Worth a telephone call. There are enough residents in Old Walkerville who can and will donate plants. To keep it simple and cost effective I'd stick with the perennial types. I've got a few Hosta and Iris' which I can donate. Let's see what comes to the table.
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