The Reminder is making its archives back to 2003 available on our website. Please note that, due to technical limitations, archive articles are presented without the usual formatting.
There won't be a mini mall in the lower level of the Co-op this summer, dashing the hopes of business owners hoping to draw more traffic uptown. The Chamber of Commerce and Greenstone Community Futures Development Corp. hoped to entice 10 to 12 home businesses to rent booths in the lower level, formerly home to the Co-op's general merchandise department. A lease agreement was in place for July and August, but when only two businesses expressed interest, the concept fizzled, at least for this summer. "I think we thought this was a real good idea," said Dave Kendall, past-president of the chamber. "We were hoping there might be enough interest and if there was enough business generated through the summer, that some businesses would decide to set up on Main Street permanently instead of just being home businesses." Kendall said the failure of the initiative was disappointing, particularly because of the exposure it would have given to home businesses that aren't always well known. With the aid of a government grant, the chamber and Greenstone hired a summer student to spearhead the mini mall. The hope now is that the student will now spend the summer on another business-oriented project.
