Who Is The Montrose Shopping Park Association?

Everybody loves Montrose! And what's not to love? A quaint town that boasts a large selection of one of a kind shops and cafes on winding, tree lined streets. When people think Montrose they think the Montrose Shopping Park. Did you ever wonder how it runs so beautifully and keeps evolving while retaining it's natural charm?

WHAT IS THE MSPA?

The Montrose Shopping Park Association was formed in 1968 to represent the interests of the Montrose Shopping Park's members. It administrates a Business Improvement District (BID) of close to 200 businesses within the shopping park boundaries under contract with the City Of Glendale.

WHO RUNS THE MSPA?

The MSPA is run by a board of directors consisting of owners or managers of it's member businesses. The board is elected by it's own membership for the purpose of representing the needs of the BID as a whole, not their personal interests.

WHO PAYS FOR THE LIGHTS AND EVENTS IN THE MSP?

Each business in the MSPA pays an annual assessment to the City Of Glendale who returns it to the MSPA to promote the town. The assessment is used to pay for town lighting, events, advertising, and anything that promotes business in the shopping park.

The Montrose Shopping Park Association is perhaps best known for the many public events it sponsors including the Montrose Arts & Crafts Festival, Montrose Harvest Market, Montrose Car Show, Kids ‘n Kritters Day, Annual Wine Walks, and Montrose Old Town Christmas complete with horse-drawn trolley, live holiday music, carolers and a strolling Santa. The MSPA is also home to the annual Montrose-Glendale Christmas Parade as well as the Montrose Chamber's Oktoberfest.

DOES THE MSPA BOARD GET PAID?

No. Board positions are voluntary and often require many hours of time and effort.

WHO SERVES ON THE MSPA BOARD NOW?

Currently the board consists of 6 people from a variety of businesses in the shopping park. All are upstanding citizens, have successful businesses, and have been serving for 6 years or more. All have been reelected in their 3 year terms by the membership. Most also live in the community in which they work and serve. The current board consists of:

PRESIDENT: Andre Ordubegian owns Copy Network, a popular service business that is celebrating 30 years in Montrose. "Everybody knows Andre!", a people person who has diligently served the board since 2012. His motivation, which he learned from his father, is to do good and help others. His most frequent comment at board meetings is "We are here for the merchants". This sets the tone for everything in the MSPA.

VICE PRESIDENT: Gigi Garcia, owner of It Takes A Village Kids boutique, has served the board since 2013. She comes from a family of retail business owners and is well aware of the unique needs of small retail businesses in these most challenging times. Being a former theater manager, she makes it her business to get involved in every aspect of the affairs of Montrose. She cares and cares deeply. Gigi also lives within walking distance of the shopping park.

TREASURER: Corey Grijalva owns Joselito's Mexican Restaurant. This popular destination is a town favorite. Because of their high volume much time is demanded yet Corey has given of his precious time to serve the board since 2012. A gracious, well spoken man, he has spent decades in Montrose and understands the synergy of the restaurant business and retail that makes Montrose work.

SECRETARY: Kim Kelly owns one of the most successful Merle Norman franchises in the USA. In addition to her many skills she excels at l-i-s-t-e-n-i-n-g. While others may have lots to say Kim takes it all in and when she does speak people listen. Merle Norman has operated successfully in Montrose for decades. Kim has generously given of her time to serve the board and merchants since 2011.

BOARD MEMBER: Ken Grayson is a Montrose legend. He began his career in Montrose in his parents store on Honolulu Ave. at the age of 10! He just celebrated his 76th birthday. Ken owns Grayson's Tune Town and the building it is housed in. In his 66 years (!!!) here he has seen it all. Ken has probably been to more MSPA board meetings than anyone on the planet. Ken works within the system. He takes the time and makes the time. What an example!

BOARD MEMBER: Jeannie Bone has been serving the board since 2015. She is an award winning restauranteur and owner of Casa Cordoba. Jeannie's heart is in marketing the town and presenting a professional image that is true to what Montrose is and draws people here. She is detail oriented and wants things done in a thorough and proper manner with a system and protocol for everything.

HOW DO WE KNOW WHAT THE MSPA IS DOING?

The MSPA board meets the first Thursday of every month. All of the meeting dates, who attended, agendas, and minutes are posted on the MSPA website shopmontrose.com MSPA members are encouraged to attend the meetings. If there is an issue or concern, proper protocol is to bring it to the board in a respectful manner, in an official meeting. The MSPA board is there to help. Occasionally someone will bypass this protocol and express their concerns directly on social media. This can be counterproductive to finding solutions that benefit all. Anyone can address the board and is invited to do so at its monthly public meetings.

So there we have it! The behind the scenes of how the Montrose Shopping Park functions. If you should have opportunity to run into one of our volunteer board members please take the time to say THANK YOU! They deserve it!