Clever marketing, hard work saves downtown
There is a public service message on television that demonstrates the newest method of performing CPR.
People are encouraged to use rapid chest compressions to the beat of the Bee Gee’s hit song “Stayin’ Alive.” It’s catchy; a mental cue that people hopefully will remember if they ever have to perform CPR.
But how long should one keep up performing CPR? According to the Red Cross, until the victim shows signs of life or until trained medical help arrives. Which, could seemingly take forever if you’re on the giving end of CPR.
In a way, an odd comparison perhaps, the merchants of Minot’s downtown have been pumping away for several years now trying to keep their businesses, their business district, alive. Street construction, parking ramp issues and the loss of long-time anchor businesses have posed quite a challenge for the downtown merchants trying to hang on. Yet, they go on.
They just won’t quit, like somebody you’d want pounding on your chest if you needed CPR. They are also fine role models for anyone who dreams of owning their own business someday. Success doesn’t usually come easy. You have to work hard at it and fight for it. For a long, long time.
The latest example of the efforts to sustain customer traffic downtown is “Creative Night Out,” which will bring the diverse talents of the community to downtown Minot. It runs on the first Thursday of each month through September, and begins June 1.
Each month will feature three creative types whether it’s music, poetry, dance, storytelling or visual arts.
The events will start at 5:30 p.m. when locals will stop in at the creative participating retail “hot spots” where they will enjoy music, snacks, sale specials and artist demonstrations.
The Hot Spots are: Art Main (sales, punch/hor d’oeuvres), Artspace Suite 1 Gallery (artist demo by Susana Amundarain, sweets and coffee), Budget Music and Video (in store specials), Oliver’s Attic (sales, wine/hor d’oeuvres), Rick’s Jewelry (bracelet demo, in store specials and tour), Taube Museum of Art opening art reception, 3 Little Pigs Food Truck, 62 Doors (open studio tours), artist booths and street musicians.
The promotion sounds like a whole lot of fun for all summer long, and we wish all of the participating businesses the best of luck. Your tenacity is admirable.