Marietta merchants are pooling resources to bring more business to their shops and the Marietta Square.
Art Gallery owner Donna Krueger said business owners have organized a group called The Branding Project, and a “Here and Now” marketing campaign will sell downtown Marietta as the place for shopping, dining and entertainment.
The city of Marietta gave the group $10,000 this week and the Downtown Marietta Development Authority on Thursday also agreed to give $10,000. Krueger said the money will allow the group to start a website and pay for promotional items to hand out at special events on the Square.
“I hope this gives them promotional muscle,” Development Authority Chairman Tom Browning said. “I believe having a consistent theme will draw more people to the Square.”
The group has also scheduled events to generate traffic. A Marietta Square Artists Market on Mill Street will open the second Saturday of each month, April 9-Nov. 12, and aJazzFeast with musicians playing at local restaurants is set for Oct. 1.
Krueger said a slow economy and a water main project that detoured downtown traffic a year ago sparked the group’s efforts. She said there was a collective worry about small shops and restaurants staying viable and competing with malls and chain stores with bigger marketing budgets.
“This gives business owners a way to promote themselves, which they couldn’t afford otherwise,” Krueger said.
About 50 business owners have paid $100 to become members of the organization. The group sent membership requests to business owners, non-profit organizations and offices around the Square. Krueger believes more will join after they see results from marketing efforts.
City manager Bill Bruton said Marietta has 919 business licenses in the area around the Marietta Square. There were 100 closings in 2009 and 31 in 2010. He said last year’s numbers and the group marketing effort are positive signs for the city.
“It’s great this group is working together to be a part of the solution to make things better,” Bruton said.
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