Concession Street Board of Management
Thursday March 21st, 2019
9am to 10am
Alcatraz Mystery Studio – 604 Concession Street
Present: Jules Gauthier, Eshe Despres, Jamie McHardy, James Knott, Jeff Shuster
Regrets: Alana Travis, Jim Foreman, Craig Knapman, Lynn Gates, Sam, Charlie, Gabby Chavez
Absent: Mike DeVries, Bill Givens, Alexa Chavez
Recording Secretary: Cristina Geissler
Welcome & Introductory Remarks – Chair
Meeting commenced. Quorum. Welcome spring. Welcome to the meeting.
Review & Approval of the Agenda : Jason / Eshe
Review & Approval of Feb 2019 Meeting Minutes: Eshe/James
Board Business:
Resignation of Alexa Chavez. Eshe/Jeff
Asked for any recommendations to fill this position. We currently have 3 vacancies. Up to 2 can be community reps – we currently have Alana Travis, room for one more as per procedural by-law. The other two vacancies can to taken by business owners, business employees or property owners.
New Board of Directors Governance Training: Tuesday April 16th (6:30pm at City Hall). You must register in advance. Cristina to resend out to Board. Encourage everyone to take advantage of this free training.
Ward 7 Councillor Meeting regarding revitilization of Sam Lawrence Park: Tuesday March 26th (5:30pm at Concession Branch Library). Everyone welcome to attend. Alana Travis will represent the Concession BIA Board at this meeting.
Treasurer Report – Alana Travis – not available
Chair of the Beautification Committee –Chair: Alana Travis – presented by Cristina Geissler
Winter banners scheduled to be swapped with summer banners the week of March 18th.
Beautiful Alleys scheduled for April 27th. Everyone encouraged to come out and help in the clean up of our community. An email will be sent out to the membership in early April. Social media posts will also encourage residents to also participate.
Chair of the Concession Marketing Committee – Chair: Jules Gauthier
Event postcards are printed and ready for pick up from the BIA office.
Spring Series posters have been ordered and hopefully will be available the week of March 25th.
Marketing Survey was sent out to membership for interest in additional business advertising initiatives. The BIA can promote events – not specific businesses – so we are looking for interest of business owners who might want to collaborate in more shopping targeted advertising.
First pilot of this business-driven advertising is a Spring double page ad, center page of the Mt News. The BIA would pay for the center portion of the ad with an editorial on importance of shopping and supporting local. Around the editorial would be 16 spots for interested businesses to have their business logo (and address) included. Dividing up the $2400 cost for a double page ad would bring the cost of individual businesses to participate to only $100 each. Spots are limited and BIA will be reaching out based on feedback received from the Marketing Survey. If successful, we will consider running something similar in the fall to kick off the holiday shopping season.
Forge FC partnership now official with Concession BIA. $1000 spent on two center field premium ticket seats that also included merchandising swag. BIA to use a promotional gift packs or giveaways (15 games). Our collaboration will also include 8 Forge FC banners to be displayed on our poles - anchored by Sam Lawrence Park and Mt View Park. Total value to Concession approximately $3500.
Chair of Concession Events Committee – Chair TBC - Presented by Cristina Geissler
Bunny Hop: Saturday April 20th (10am to 3pm) . We will run this event as a shop local, sidewalk sales, open doors for our BIA businesses. We will distribute a Customer Loyalty card on Wed April 17 to Wed Apr 24. During this week’s time, any shoppers that spend money in our storefronts will receive a stamp on their card. Fill the card with 6 stamps and enter that now as a ballot for BIA prize baskets. No minimum purchase required. Designed to get visitors spending in our storefronts. We will also have a crew of HS volunteers distributing bunny ears to the first 100 visitors to the BIA office. We will also have teams of volunteers on every block between Upper Wentworth and Poplar handing out Easter treats (to keep kids out of the stores) and distributing more of our Customer Loyalty Cards.
Chair of Safety Committee – Chair: Jim Foreman – Presented by Cristina Geissler
Night Audit tentatively scheduled for April 16th. Now that the revised governance training is on the same date we will regroup the Safety Committee to reschedule.
Executive Director Updates – Cristina Geissler
Accessibility ramps available to storefronts: FREE of charge in collaboration with Mohawk College and The City of Hamilton
Updates to www.concessionstreet.ca business online directory – updated, links verified and more graphic. To date shopping, fitness and entertainment and food have been updated. Beauty and Professional Services to follow shortly. Encourage everyone to take a look at our website.
Cannabis Legalization Updates:
Currently 14 illegal shops in Hamilton (maybe only 11 with the MMJ raids last night)
Continued shut down initiative in progress with HPS and City of Hamilton
Now working in partnership – 2 municipal enforcement officers to assist HPS. Authority to inspect any building or business (no warrant needed). Also can issue penalties for property standards, building code and signage infractions.
HPS is monitoring “pop up” cannabis shops.
HPS is monitoring “home delivery” from illegal cannabis businesses.
CBD shops are also currently deemed illegal (consumables and absorbable products currently not regulated).
Legal: 2 current storefronts opening in April 1st 2019. One at Center Mall and the other by Cootes Drive in Dundas. Other licensed dispensaries will be located in Niagara (1), London (2), St. Catharines (1), Hamilton (2) and Burlington (1) which will total the allowed 7 in our region.
No communication at this time on any further legal, licensed dispensaries in Ontario.
City of Hamilton Cigarette Program updates: social media campaign will be launched to promote awareness on the litter of cigarette butts in Hamilton (not biodegradable). Images and marketing material will be made available to our Concession BIA office as well (shared with membership). There is also a Butt Blitz scheduled for April 27th (that will be working in collaboration with Beautiful Alleys and Team Up to Clean Up – as part of a Hamilton wide initiative to clean up some of these butts). More to come on this city initiative.
New businesses:
The Haberdashery: now open at 532 Concession - vintage boutique, spray tans and make up artist
Fenix 360 Auto: now open at 415 Concession - window tints and car wraps
Scarlett's Apothecary: opening in April 2019 at 529 Concession - natural plant based products for body and home
New Found Treats Diner: opening in April 2019 at 592 Concession - family friendly diner
BIA Members and Community - n/a
Adjourned: 9:45am James/Jeff
Thursday March 21st, 2019
9am to 10am
Alcatraz Mystery Studio – 604 Concession Street
Present: Jules Gauthier, Eshe Despres, Jamie McHardy, James Knott, Jeff Shuster
Regrets: Alana Travis, Jim Foreman, Craig Knapman, Lynn Gates, Sam, Charlie, Gabby Chavez
Absent: Mike DeVries, Bill Givens, Alexa Chavez
Recording Secretary: Cristina Geissler
Welcome & Introductory Remarks – Chair
Meeting commenced. Quorum. Welcome spring. Welcome to the meeting.
Review & Approval of the Agenda : Jason / Eshe
Review & Approval of Feb 2019 Meeting Minutes: Eshe/James
Board Business:
Resignation of Alexa Chavez. Eshe/Jeff
Asked for any recommendations to fill this position. We currently have 3 vacancies. Up to 2 can be community reps – we currently have Alana Travis, room for one more as per procedural by-law. The other two vacancies can to taken by business owners, business employees or property owners.
New Board of Directors Governance Training: Tuesday April 16th (6:30pm at City Hall). You must register in advance. Cristina to resend out to Board. Encourage everyone to take advantage of this free training.
Ward 7 Councillor Meeting regarding revitilization of Sam Lawrence Park: Tuesday March 26th (5:30pm at Concession Branch Library). Everyone welcome to attend. Alana Travis will represent the Concession BIA Board at this meeting.
Treasurer Report – Alana Travis – not available
Chair of the Beautification Committee –Chair: Alana Travis – presented by Cristina Geissler
Winter banners scheduled to be swapped with summer banners the week of March 18th.
Beautiful Alleys scheduled for April 27th. Everyone encouraged to come out and help in the clean up of our community. An email will be sent out to the membership in early April. Social media posts will also encourage residents to also participate.
Chair of the Concession Marketing Committee – Chair: Jules Gauthier
Event postcards are printed and ready for pick up from the BIA office.
Spring Series posters have been ordered and hopefully will be available the week of March 25th.
Marketing Survey was sent out to membership for interest in additional business advertising initiatives. The BIA can promote events – not specific businesses – so we are looking for interest of business owners who might want to collaborate in more shopping targeted advertising.
First pilot of this business-driven advertising is a Spring double page ad, center page of the Mt News. The BIA would pay for the center portion of the ad with an editorial on importance of shopping and supporting local. Around the editorial would be 16 spots for interested businesses to have their business logo (and address) included. Dividing up the $2400 cost for a double page ad would bring the cost of individual businesses to participate to only $100 each. Spots are limited and BIA will be reaching out based on feedback received from the Marketing Survey. If successful, we will consider running something similar in the fall to kick off the holiday shopping season.
Forge FC partnership now official with Concession BIA. $1000 spent on two center field premium ticket seats that also included merchandising swag. BIA to use a promotional gift packs or giveaways (15 games). Our collaboration will also include 8 Forge FC banners to be displayed on our poles - anchored by Sam Lawrence Park and Mt View Park. Total value to Concession approximately $3500.
Chair of Concession Events Committee – Chair TBC - Presented by Cristina Geissler
Bunny Hop: Saturday April 20th (10am to 3pm) . We will run this event as a shop local, sidewalk sales, open doors for our BIA businesses. We will distribute a Customer Loyalty card on Wed April 17 to Wed Apr 24. During this week’s time, any shoppers that spend money in our storefronts will receive a stamp on their card. Fill the card with 6 stamps and enter that now as a ballot for BIA prize baskets. No minimum purchase required. Designed to get visitors spending in our storefronts. We will also have a crew of HS volunteers distributing bunny ears to the first 100 visitors to the BIA office. We will also have teams of volunteers on every block between Upper Wentworth and Poplar handing out Easter treats (to keep kids out of the stores) and distributing more of our Customer Loyalty Cards.
Chair of Safety Committee – Chair: Jim Foreman – Presented by Cristina Geissler
Night Audit tentatively scheduled for April 16th. Now that the revised governance training is on the same date we will regroup the Safety Committee to reschedule.
Executive Director Updates – Cristina Geissler
Accessibility ramps available to storefronts: FREE of charge in collaboration with Mohawk College and The City of Hamilton
Updates to www.concessionstreet.ca business online directory – updated, links verified and more graphic. To date shopping, fitness and entertainment and food have been updated. Beauty and Professional Services to follow shortly. Encourage everyone to take a look at our website.
Cannabis Legalization Updates:
Currently 14 illegal shops in Hamilton (maybe only 11 with the MMJ raids last night)
Continued shut down initiative in progress with HPS and City of Hamilton
Now working in partnership – 2 municipal enforcement officers to assist HPS. Authority to inspect any building or business (no warrant needed). Also can issue penalties for property standards, building code and signage infractions.
HPS is monitoring “pop up” cannabis shops.
HPS is monitoring “home delivery” from illegal cannabis businesses.
CBD shops are also currently deemed illegal (consumables and absorbable products currently not regulated).
Legal: 2 current storefronts opening in April 1st 2019. One at Center Mall and the other by Cootes Drive in Dundas. Other licensed dispensaries will be located in Niagara (1), London (2), St. Catharines (1), Hamilton (2) and Burlington (1) which will total the allowed 7 in our region.
No communication at this time on any further legal, licensed dispensaries in Ontario.
City of Hamilton Cigarette Program updates: social media campaign will be launched to promote awareness on the litter of cigarette butts in Hamilton (not biodegradable). Images and marketing material will be made available to our Concession BIA office as well (shared with membership). There is also a Butt Blitz scheduled for April 27th (that will be working in collaboration with Beautiful Alleys and Team Up to Clean Up – as part of a Hamilton wide initiative to clean up some of these butts). More to come on this city initiative.
New businesses:
The Haberdashery: now open at 532 Concession - vintage boutique, spray tans and make up artist
Fenix 360 Auto: now open at 415 Concession - window tints and car wraps
Scarlett's Apothecary: opening in April 2019 at 529 Concession - natural plant based products for body and home
New Found Treats Diner: opening in April 2019 at 592 Concession - family friendly diner
BIA Members and Community - n/a
Adjourned: 9:45am James/Jeff