Eagle & South Market Streets Merchants Host Annual Shop the Block Campaign

Exciting events for businesses on The Block are planned for increasing patronage. For the past year, Marilyn Bass has worked as a consultant with Eagle Market Streets Development Corporation to ensure that the businesses already established on The Block along Eagle and South Market Streets and other minority businesses have a support system in place to address concerns and needs for succeeding in the Asheville business environment.



The
Asheville Merchants Fund awarded a two-year grant to the organization
to encourage, train and support low-wealth minority entrepreneurs,
particularly African-Americans, by connecting them with business
development resources. This “with and without” walls business incubator
provides support services, in collaboration with other technical
assistance providers, to existing businesses located in the project
area.


Business
development is an important component in the revitalization of the
historic Eagle and South Market Streets area by spurring economic
growth in support of the redevelopment plan adopted by the City of
Asheville.


This AMF
business incubation project better known as BIZ INC PRO consists of
three activities. First, the African-American business consultant
(Marilyn Bass) provides technical assistance to current and aspiring
minority business owners. This helps them through their initial, most
difficult years of business. The consultant is based at the South Pack
Square Community Center located on “The Block.”


Second, a “Shop
the Block” advertising campaign first held November 18, 2005 – January
7, 2006 is conducted annually to attract more shoppers —
African-Americans and all others — to The Block. The campaign will
include marketing training for entrepreneurs, as well as the purchase
of ads and marketing materials.


Third, the
business consultant helps entrepreneurs through the process of
accessing $33,000 in loan funds for project participants. The impact of
the project is to increase African-American entrepreneurs’ use of
existing business resources and to increase these entrepreneurs’
opportunities for success.


The first year
and a half of the project is coming to a close and the time frame for
the project is an additional 6 months. BIZ INC PRO’s services are
expected to become self-sufficient in 2007 when revenues are received
from rentals in the buildings that EMSDC is currently operating and
redeveloping.


In Year Two, the key marketing events are as follows:


•    Taste O’ The Block – A culinary
showcase will be held on December 15 & 16, 2006. Savor the tastes
of Mexi-Cali cuisine at Limone’s, southern cuisine at the Ritz
Restaurant, urban world cuisine at Ophelia’s Restaurant & Bar, and
southern food from The New Ebony Bar & Grill (coming back soon!) in
the South Pack Square Community Center at 70 S. Market Street.

•    Holidays on
The Block – December 15 & 16, 2006. Enjoy the season with the
entire family as you shop for the unique gifts, services and events
offered by over 40 Eagle and S. Market Street area businesses and
non-profit organizations.

•    Open Houses – Various dates, times at Eagle and

S. Market Streets locations. Door Prizes! Call 281-1227 for more information.