Hometown Minnesota Workshop
February 10, 2006
1:00 pm - 4:00 pm

Cambridge City Hall,
300 3rd Avenue NE
Cambridge, Minnesota

Join Hometown Minnesota in Cambridge on Friday, February 10th, to discuss how Main Street retail businesses can meet the challenges of today's marketplace. Our workshop will identify the types of strategies that Main Street retailers can use to compete in the 'Big Box' era of retailing. We will discuss specific examples based on research conducted in Cambridge, Grand Rapids, and Monticello on how coordinated strategies can enhance the vitality of downtown.

The program will feature Bruce Schwartau of the Minnesota Extension Service's Community Economics program. Mr. Schwartau heads the U of M Extension program that developed the Small Store Success Strategies workshop. The workshop presents strategies that address questions such as:

— What can your customers tell you about your retail strategies?

 — How can stores price against unbeatable prices?

— What is the importance of effective return policies and store hours?

— How can you turn customer complaints into new sales opportunities?

The Hometown workshop will identify the successful strategies that small stores have used to sustain themselves in the face of new big box investment. The workshop will provide ample opportunity for community participants to discuss their own community's concerns and situations. A description of the research results are at http://www.uwex.edu/ces/cced/lets/05febltb.html.

Cost: $75.00 per workshop per community
Workshops are free to Hometown member communities. Refreshments will be provided.

RSVP to
Kathi Schaff Cambridge AreaChamber of Commerce
763-689-2505
cambchbr@izoom.net

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Hometown Minnesota, Inc. is a non-profit 501(c)3 organization founded by communities active in the old Minnesota Main Street Program. Hometown Minnesota’s is an advocate for enhancing and revitalizing the heart of small Minnesota communities, the Main Street business district.

Hometown, Minnesota promotes sustainable local economic development, community character and local history, and community-based entrepreneurial development. By connecting Minnesota communities with resources, technical assistance, and the organizational experience of other communities, Hometown Minnesota helps communities preserve and restore their downtown districts.

Hometown Minnesota workshops are made possible through your memberships.

Become an Affiliate member or renew your membership today.

For additional information please contact:

Brian Ross
Hometown Minnesota, Inc.
2634 Vincent Avenue North Minneapolis, M 55411
612 - 588 - 4904 bross@crplanning.com