By Lee Harkness
DJDC executive director
I am wondering how many of you remember when Neil Armstrong made that "giant leap for mankind" in 1969 when he was the first man to step on the moon? I do and was truly impressed. I was fresh out of college and really had no idea how something of that magnitude could happen. What I do know is in addition to that great feat, Neil Armstrong has been an icon to me as he unassumingly has been apart of America for the rest of his life. He has quietly been there for many, many events-a person to whom we owe a great deal to. When you are outside tonight looking at the moon just remember Neil Armstrong was actually there. We will all miss Neil Armstrong as a true piece of Americana.
We should also be very proud to honor a local company on their 20th anniversary - Everyday's True Value Hardware. I have to tell you they have saved me many times. I have needed some part, bolt, or piece of equipment and they have always been right there to assist in whatever I needed. I suppose if I look at it correctly they have a lot of input in the work of DJDC because there is a little part of their store in almost everything we do. The owners and employees always bend over backwards to help you with "whatever" project you are working on.
Recently Steve helped me procure the world famous four-in-one screwdrivers to send to contestants in Fireball Run as part of a gift package to each of the teams. This screwdriver represents part of the industrial past of Jamestown and will be a reminder of Jamestown whenever they are used. Steve offered to make the special effort required to do this - just as he does, and the employees do, with every request they get. And another thing, they are always there and open when you need them. I believe this is a real commitment to the community they serve. Congratulations on sharing your 20 years to the city of Jamestown.
Now talking about store hours and operations I was reading once again about Roger Brooks' 7-8-7 rule. He is the tourism guru who has visited Chautauqua County and done work in Chautauqua County. He explains his 7-8-7 rule, statistics every downtown should live by. It goes this way:
70 percent of first time sales at restaurants, retail shops, lodging facilities, and attractions can come from curb appeal;
Women account for 80 percent of all consumer spending; and
70 percent of all consumer retail spending takes place after 6 p.m.
These are national statistics. Maybe we should try to document local shopping habits and try to collect similar data. If we could document local shopping habits it might go a long way in adjusting our businesses to increase sales and traffic in our downtown areas. If we could get an idea of shopper perceptions of our downtown retail district it might help us in adjusting our window displays, facade improvements, marketing methods and hours of operation.
When you consider some of these facts I might ask the question-would it be better to shift operating hours from 9 or 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. to something like 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Source: Mainstreetnow. May/June 2012.