Brownsville Merchant and Restaurant Association
Minutes
May 16, 2006
5:30 p.m.
Twenty members of the business community were in attendance Tuesday, May 16, 2006, for the monthly meeting of the Brownsville Merchant and Restaurant Association. Those present were: Scottie and Betty Morris, Albert and Paulette Campbell, Earl Stanley, Darlene Knox, JoAnne Finn, Vickie McCartney, Joe Ing, Danny Dean, Carla Morris, Elmira Manns, Carolyn Reed, Elizabeth Moore, Daniel Thornton, Richard Carraway, Brenda Blue-Recio, Joe Stephens, Pat Bailey and Sonia Outlaw-Clark. Sixteen area businesses were represented.
President Pat Bailey called the meeting to order and Albert Campbell opened with a prayer and a moment of silence for the Rick Ridley family. Minutes of the April 11 meeting were approved as e-mailed and a treasurer’s report showed that $60 has been collected for annual dues.
A Marketing Seminar was announced for May 25. The event is sponsored by the Chamber of Commerce and all businesses are encouraged to attend this free seminar from 4:30 – 7 p.m.
The continuation of Square Bash, a third Saturday of the month event (May – Oct.) for bringing activities to the square, was discussed. Suggestions included placing balloons outside of businesses that choose to be open and to focus more on getting families downtown. Joe Ing will check about a possible conflict with renovation plans. Everyone is asked to think about how they could participate and be prepared to make a decision at the next meeting as to continuing the event or not.
You’re a Winner! Pat Bailey explained the use of words to get customers in the door, using the postcard mailing about the BMRA meeting as an example of direct marketing. Emphasizing that it is never too early to talk about what you will be selling and when.
Ideas were shared about how to create a mailing list, such as keeping copies of checks for address purposes and following up customer’s purchases with a mailing.
Betty Morris, of Morris Jewelers, shared Wish List book. The Wish List gives customers an opportunity to fill out a form and list their favorite items (wishes). Morris Jewelers then contact the appropriate people when an anniversary, birthday or any special occasion that has been specified by the customer comes up. This not only increases sales but the customer receives the gift they want. Morris Jewelers offers incentives to their employees for every customer name and information they collect.
Those present shared some of the exciting things happening at their businesses:
· Lock Stock & Barrell: expanding into the building next door and will possibly be open on that side within the next month.
· Insouth Bank: to encourage the next generation of “coffee drinkers” who gather at the bank, Insouth is looking at possibly offering a light breakfast on Friday mornings.
· McCartney Real Estate: working on a new logo that will be introduced soon.
· Brenton Beautiful Novelties: excited about being the a new business in town and also about possibly conducting seminars on sexually transmitted diseases for the youth.
· Backyard Barbecue: making some renovations and has introduces a new grilled chicken salad with more menu changes in the works.
· Stephens: looking forward to a changing image that will market to a younger clientele.
· God’s Herbs for “U” Wellness: excited about new location on Kleer-Vu drive and opportunities to inform about eating right and also offers free blood pressure monitoring.
· Brownsville Family Restaurant: introduced Earl Stanley as a partner in the business and is expanding into the building next door - will possibly be opened by the 4th of July.
· Brownsville States-Graphic: lots of positive changes taking place, including the possibility of one week of the month be mailed to everyone in the county, a shopper, and possible publish day being changed to Wednesday.
· Merle Norman: now serving fruit tea to everyone who comes in, a website in the works, and the introduction of a bridal and baby registry.
· Morris Jewelers: Scottie will soon be certified to work on old clocks.
· Flowers Galore & More: business booming during the month of May and looking forward to business growing.
The next meeting of the BMRA will be Thursday, June 22, at the chamber.
Respectfully Submitted,
Sonia Outlaw-Clark
Secretary