When Jennifer Taylor took over the reins of the Franklin Retail and Business Association a couple months back, she knew she had the task of updating the group's by-laws and work up this year's budget. That means she has not had real good chance to get into the "fun stuff" yet.
But that's coming.
She is really looking forward to when she can take the business association resources and start throwing outdoor parties called events. These are centered around getting folks downtown to experience each business's offerings. The most fun for Taylor, and other's who have headed up the association, comes when they see a crowded downtown and smiles on the business owners' faces.
And their efforts have been paying off.
The retail association, the chamber, and the Franklin marketing office all work together to help businesses thrive. The very few empty storefronts in downtown is their testament. And those few empty spots are typically not that way for long. When one business moves out, it is usually just a few weeks or even days before papers is put up in the windows, remodeling kicks into gear, a new sign put out front, the doors reopen and a new service is offered to the community.
"I think new businesses know it is better to open up where you already have successful businesses," Taylor said. "Kind of like showing a new TV show in the time slot after a favorite one."
But that's coming.
She is really looking forward to when she can take the business association resources and start throwing outdoor parties called events. These are centered around getting folks downtown to experience each business's offerings. The most fun for Taylor, and other's who have headed up the association, comes when they see a crowded downtown and smiles on the business owners' faces.
And their efforts have been paying off.
The retail association, the chamber, and the Franklin marketing office all work together to help businesses thrive. The very few empty storefronts in downtown is their testament. And those few empty spots are typically not that way for long. When one business moves out, it is usually just a few weeks or even days before papers is put up in the windows, remodeling kicks into gear, a new sign put out front, the doors reopen and a new service is offered to the community.
"I think new businesses know it is better to open up where you already have successful businesses," Taylor said. "Kind of like showing a new TV show in the time slot after a favorite one."
The retail association joins forces with whatever downtown activities are being planned, providing help with extra activities for the folks visiting Franklin. They create fun business-related scavenger hunts and giveaways. They also host their own fun activities, like the Witch Walk. Held around Halloween, the event brought a cosplay atmosphere to Liberty Street with warlocks and witches going in and out of stores often lugging bags of purchases.
They have also created, expanded and modernized their Retail Gift Certificate Program, which allow folks to use their cards in numerous stores and restaurants in Franklin. "This has been very successful," said Jess Carroll, the outgoing association director who led the efforts in the last three years.
Businesses beyond just retail see the value in the program too. The Franklin Insurance Agency, which is located on the outskirts of the main downtown scene, gave a several thousand dollar donation to the gift certificate program to cover the costs in running the program. This was a savings for participating businesses.
"This is an exceptional donation and it makes participation in the gift card program free for members," Taylor said in a recent social media post. "Having a local business that is committed to helping other local small business partners in this way is just amazing... [this] kind of partner makes us remember how lucky we are to operate in downtown Franklin."
They have also created, expanded and modernized their Retail Gift Certificate Program, which allow folks to use their cards in numerous stores and restaurants in Franklin. "This has been very successful," said Jess Carroll, the outgoing association director who led the efforts in the last three years.
Businesses beyond just retail see the value in the program too. The Franklin Insurance Agency, which is located on the outskirts of the main downtown scene, gave a several thousand dollar donation to the gift certificate program to cover the costs in running the program. This was a savings for participating businesses.
"This is an exceptional donation and it makes participation in the gift card program free for members," Taylor said in a recent social media post. "Having a local business that is committed to helping other local small business partners in this way is just amazing... [this] kind of partner makes us remember how lucky we are to operate in downtown Franklin."
The association's main purpose is to keep a consistent and vibrant promotion of the downtown. They recently enlisted the help of an outside group to promote the association's 84 member businesses on social media with rotating daily posts. "People have commented that they are happy with the increased sharing in Facebook," Taylor said. "Marketing is a priority for our organization."
This year marks the 50th year of the association as far as anyone can tell. Dianne McCall is credited by both Jennifer and Jess for being a visionary ahead of her time in leading the organization for many years. They haven't yet planned anything special for this anniversary, but Taylor said it will be discussed in an upcoming meeting.
"Franklin has the advantage of a well-planned, main thoroughfare that looks quaint," Taylor said. She credits networking and supporting each other as the key to a vibrant downtown business community.
"You can open your doors and sit inside, but your business will be more successful if you go to mixers and meet the other owners and make sure the larger community feels like you want to be there. I like to think that [the Retail Association] helps with that," she said. "The more we can work together, the stronger the whole downtown remains."
And successful businesses seem to spur new ventures. It wasn't long after Bossa Nova closed and cleared out that a new coffee shop started getting ready. In the meantime, Coffee in Between filled a void by opening even as they were trying to finish renovations.
This year marks the 50th year of the association as far as anyone can tell. Dianne McCall is credited by both Jennifer and Jess for being a visionary ahead of her time in leading the organization for many years. They haven't yet planned anything special for this anniversary, but Taylor said it will be discussed in an upcoming meeting.
"Franklin has the advantage of a well-planned, main thoroughfare that looks quaint," Taylor said. She credits networking and supporting each other as the key to a vibrant downtown business community.
"You can open your doors and sit inside, but your business will be more successful if you go to mixers and meet the other owners and make sure the larger community feels like you want to be there. I like to think that [the Retail Association] helps with that," she said. "The more we can work together, the stronger the whole downtown remains."
And successful businesses seem to spur new ventures. It wasn't long after Bossa Nova closed and cleared out that a new coffee shop started getting ready. In the meantime, Coffee in Between filled a void by opening even as they were trying to finish renovations.
And work along 13th Street to improve facades and bring in new businesses expands on what Liberty Street has been doing for years. A new flower shop will open soon adding another service to the Franklin retail community.
"No one wants an empty building, so it is in everyone’s best interest to support our fellow businesses by sending customers their way and understanding what they sell or provide. Once you get people downtown for any reason - a festival, a promotion, to eat - they are more likely to notice other businesses," she said.
Taylor also speaks highly of the city itself putting necessary resources to improve the attractiveness to businesses. She credits the city's marketing and events coordinator Ronnie Beith for her tireless promotion of downtown.
"[It all] circles around to keeping the downtown a thriving place that has a stronger tax base. All of it works together." Taylor said.
"No one wants an empty building, so it is in everyone’s best interest to support our fellow businesses by sending customers their way and understanding what they sell or provide. Once you get people downtown for any reason - a festival, a promotion, to eat - they are more likely to notice other businesses," she said.
Taylor also speaks highly of the city itself putting necessary resources to improve the attractiveness to businesses. She credits the city's marketing and events coordinator Ronnie Beith for her tireless promotion of downtown.
"[It all] circles around to keeping the downtown a thriving place that has a stronger tax base. All of it works together." Taylor said.
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