Downtown Carson City business recruitment survey results released
Submitted by editor on Fri, 10/07/2016 - 10:45am
With over 450 responses received over six weeks, the results of the downtown retail/restaurant recruitment survey show that survey participants want a diverse consumer experience, while maintaining local familiarity.
The results have been posted at carson.org/survey. The next steps will involve the development of recruitment materials and the creation of a website. The website will serve as a resource guide to find information about downtown business opportunities and will help coordinate efforts with local commercial real estate professionals and stakeholder organizations.
The answers to the first question were not surprising; by a 2 to 1 margin, most survey participants said that they prefer independently-owned stores over national chain stores. This feedback will give direction to future recruitment strategies.
Feedback from the second question about retail stores revealed a common desire to incorporate new concepts with ones that are familiar. The highest ranking choice was for Specialty Food stores. This would include a variety of concepts such as butcher shops, cheese shops, gourmet food stores, candy stores or fresh food markets. The second highest ranking choice was Book Store. While downtown does have two bookstores, the responses tell us that the survey participants are looking for something else that is not currently offered. The same goes for the third ranking choice: Gift Store. Women’s Apparel and Hobby, Toys and Games filled out the top five.
The third question revealed that survey participants want affordable restaurant options that will take advantage of the “grab and go” lifestyle and the new more walkable sidewalks on Carson Street. The highest ranking choice was Dessert.
Much of the local talk about having an ice cream shop downtown was supported by this choice. The second ranking was Deli with American (Pizza, Pub) coming in third. Many comments supported these choices; for example, individuals are looking for more affordable dining and hope to see a new restaurant in the brew pub space at Carson and Proctor Streets sooner rather than later.
City staff would like to thank all who participated in the survey. The results and comments will be used to recruit a diverse range of innovative businesses that will greatly compliment downtown Carson City’s appeal.
In the coming weeks, the City will be posting another survey that will be focused on what types of residential living the community would like to see in the downtown. Please stay tuned.
For further information, please contact Michael Salogga, Business Development Manager at msalogga@carson.org or 283-7122.
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