Downtown Business Association to Connect Businesses With Needed Information

Plans are underway to connect Easley Downtown Business Association members with need information through a guest speaker program.

EDBA members approved a plan to have guest speakers close out their monthly meetings by presenting information on a variety of topics.

“Credit card processing, the fees involved, the rates,” said EDBA President Sherri Jones. “There's a lot of erroneous information out there and a lot of good information, so we want somebody that's honest that doesn't stand to gain anything and can tell us the truth and answer our questions.”

Another possible topic: business liability.

“What are you actually liable for?” Jones said. “If someone walks in your door and trips and falls, or runs into a display or drops something and breaks it, what is your responsibility?”

An accountant could advice members on record-keeping, acceptable accounting practices and more, she said.

She would also like arrange a speaker on safety issues and emergency plans

“If there's a tornado or a windstorm or a rainstorm, a car accident where somebody runs through your building, any kind of emergency, what kind of plan of action you should have,” Jones said. “We can bring police to talk with us about shoplifting. What are our rights, as far as shoplifters are concerned? What course of action should we take? Can you detain a person if you're suspicious of them? Can you prevent them from leaving your store?”

Other proposed topics include building inspections, networking, collecting customer's contact information and what to do if you get a bad check.

Jones is proposing speakers give 15-minute presentations.

At a recent Chamber luncheon, someone asked if downtown businesses had considered staying open later in order to take advantage of crowds drawn by downtown restaurants.

Cheryl Bork of Dunburk's Premier Events passed along the question to members.

Shirley Young of Chic Chapeaus said she had tried staying open for restaurant crowds but hadn't had much success.

“It didn't help,” she said. “They may run in for a few minutes and say, 'I'm waiting for my party, we're going to go eat.' But by the time they eat, you're hungry and ready to go, and they don't come back.”

She suggested businesses alter their hours to stay open later in conjunction with events in downtown Easley, such as the Music on the Market series or the summer music series.

“Another suggestion would be to promote a 'Walk Around Downtown Easley' event to draw people in,” Young said.

EDBA members got a look at a map of the downtown business area being prepared by Rusty Jones. The map, when completed, will be placed at an informational kiosk and will also be available at downtown businesses.

Members also approved having meetings begin at 8:15am instead of 8:30am, in order to better accommodate the guest speakers.

The Easley Downtown Business Association meets the last Friday of the month at the Bleu Voodoo Grill.