BRAT [Business Research Activation Team]

BRAT, the Business Recruiting Activation Team. The group has a medium term goal and a longer term goal. The first goal is to attract a neighborhood friendly small bakery/cafe/local culture business. The second is to gently encourage an "enhancement" of the commercial character of River Road, that is to improve the visual appearance of River Road, the thoroughfare, and to encourage businesses that are more neighborhood friendly.

These are notes from the most recent meeting.

Business Research Attraction Team
BRAT Meeting Minutes 3/10/2004

Present: Jan Spencer, Martha Johnson. Krista Rojas, Lynn Dixon

. Jan knows a woman who runs a catering business and is seeking a
commercial kitchen. She is open to the idea of running a small
café/bakery as a sideline.

. The old Hare Krishna ashram was bought by the owner of Antrican. Rumor
has it she plans to use it as a residence.

. The old house that is currently occupied by Stained Glass Overlay has
an offer and a back-up offer already.

. The owner of the Goodwill building is not currently interested in
leasing that space to a grocer; Goodwill has been an excellent tenant for
her, so she plans to stick with them for as long as they want to occupy
the space.

. The BRAT needs a Master List of all the businesses which have been
contacted by team members to date, and the responses received. This is
essential to organizing our future work. Please send any info collected
to Jan.

Meeting # 2 of the newly named BRAT group
Business Research and Attraction Team
(thanks to Jan Spencer for this lively and imaginative name)

Present: Mara Wile, Teresa Damron, Debra Brady, Krista Rojas, Jan
Spencer, Martha Johnson

. Those present reported back on their activities since the last meeting.
Martha and Jan did an inventory of available commercial space on River
Road from the Chambers Connector north to Maxwell. A list is available
from Martha. They learned that at least one business owner began a
business in an old home which was zoned residential at the time of
purchase. This business owner volunteered that the City has been very
cooperative with her. She is getting her property rezoned to commercial,
for a cost of around $3000. This opens up a lot more potential options
for business locations fronting River Road.

. Most people present had conversations with business owners. Some
positive interest was expressed by 2 different natural foods grocers in a
River Road location.

. The group decided it has two goals:
1. Our immediate short term goal is to attract a coffee house/bakery/café
to meet our own needs for a place to meet and eat in the neighborhood.
2. Our long range goal is to work on attracting businesses that will
enhance and ultimately transform the business landscape in the River Road
area. We believe that if we can attract one or two "anchor" businesses,
they will make it possible for other businesses to come in and have more
success.

. Teresa raised an important point about confidentiality. When members
of the BRAT group speak with local business owners, we might learn a lot
of details about their business plan. We will consider such information
confidential and not to be shared outside our immediate group (i.e.,
especially not to be shared with competitors). We agreed to discuss this
further, and define guidelines as needed.

. We thought of several more local businesses we'd like to see in our
neighborhood, and those present divided up the tasks.

. Next meeting will be Wednesday, March 10, 6:30 PM, at Martha's house
110 East Hilliard Lane. 688-2310