The Westfield Business Improvement District, Inc. (WBID), is pleased to announce the return of “Best Retail Practices Program (BRP),” this initiative has been put in place to assist small retailers, restaurants and storefront service businesses with professional advice and grant money in the areas of store and restaurant design, window and merchandise displays, signage, and cost-effective marketing tips. In the past two years (19) downtown businesses were awarded BRP grants for up to $1,900 each which were used to make interior and/or exterior improvements to their storefronts. Already these improvements have produced positive results by attracting new customers.
The Best Retail Practices is a three-part program beginning with a 2 ½ hour workshop and presentation using visual examples of best retail practices. The workshop will be held at Amelia Park Children’s Museum located at 29 South Broad Street on Thursday, Oct. 4, from 8:00 – 10:00 a.m. Coffee and light fare will be served. Following the workshop, attendees may apply to be one of the selected businesses to receive an individual in-store consultation, which includes a store assessment and a written report with recommendations for improvements. The third part will provide grants of up to $1,900 for (6) businesses in the downtown core district who meet eligibility requirements and commit to making improvements as identified in the Consultant’s report. Attendance to the workshop is required to qualify for the grant.
The WBID has hired Christine Moynihan, Principal of Retail Visioning to undertake the Program. Ms. Moynihan has conducted similar work in Cambridge, Lowell, Lawrence, and Somerville, MA and Nashua, NH working with well over 300 downtown retailers.
To register for this FREE workshop contact Patti at the WBID at (413) 572-1260 or e-mail patti@thedistrictwestfield
