Rochester, Rochester Hills, and Oakland Township
July 11, 2008 - Johnnie's Dog House commits to DDA program in Rochester, Michigan.
By Joe Gray
Editor
The Rochester Downtown Development Authority wants to get the word out and that word is opportunity.
Recently, the DDA conducted a focus group study of local residents and discovered that while the downtown area has a diverse group of businesses, consumers are looking for more selection. To address these findings, the DDA has been in contact with many businesses that offer franchise opportunities.
"We are looking for up and coming businesses," said Shelia Harris, DDA business development assistant. "There are a lot of companies that are interested in coming to Michigan.
"With a lot of people taking buyouts from jobs, this is a good time to look into different ways of making a living. Someone can open a new business with the backing of an established franchise."
Harris said the DDA would work with those businesses and potential franchisees to bring both parties together. She added the DDA has been talking with many different businesses but could not comment on which ones as of press time, except to say Johnnie's Dog House from Wayne, Pennsylvania has already committed to the program.
The DDA isn't looking to bring in the types of businesses that are already open downtown but new ones like a children's activity store, a children's resale store, green products store, maternity shop, specialty grocery store, men's clothing store, gymnastics academy, restaurants serving different kinds of food and much more.
"People want to come downtown for all their shopping needs," Harris said.
There is a 5-6% vacancy in downtown and the DDA is ready to help potential business owners with information on a successful start-up. The DDA also has grants available for signage, outside lighting and redoing the outside façade.
The DDA is not looking for just franchises. Harris said anyone looking to open any business should contact the DDA. She added the DDA is looking for new businesses to be a part of the community and active in local events.
With the current economic climate, opening a new business can be scary but downtown Rochester offers many advantages. There are three colleges within five miles, the are 275,000 people in the trade area, 38,000 cars pass through downtown everyday and the DDA spends $350,000 a year promoting the downtown area.
Downtown Rochester also hosts movies in the moonlight, children's trick-or-treating and the Big, Bright Lights Show, which brings hundreds of thousands of visitors every year.
For more information, call the DDA at (248) 656-0060.
