“We don’t know who will survive. It feels like most should make it through, but we need to get things going.”
That was the candid assessment by Beaumont Business Association (BBA) President Andy Frazier in response to the question, “What’s in the future for local businesses?”
Not one to dwell on negatives, Frazier, a longtime Beaumont-Wilshire resident, girls’ soccer coach, neighborhood activist, and small business owner (Frazier Wealth Management, a BWNA newsletter advertiser) is both indefatigably no-nonsense in attitude and reassuringly motivational in leadership, as evidenced in this excerpt from his spring “Letter from the President” to BBA members:
“Some things may go back to how it was; some things may be permanently changed. What we know for sure is that small businesses will always be the backbone of our city, state, and county. We will get through this.”
During Frazier’s tenure as president, BBA has blossomed into one of the city’s premier business districts, thriving on record membership numbers and event revenue. But COVID-19 stopped that momentum in its tracks. The locally popular Dash to Donuts was canceled in May and Fremont Fest, BBA’s flagship event drawing thousands to Beaumont Village each August, followed suit.
At the heart of BBA’s summer rebound strategy is making patrons feel at home again on Fremont Street. As Andy put it, “We believe it’s critical that we create a welcoming atmosphere during the summer months.” To that end, lovely hanging flower baskets now greet visitors up and down the street, courtesy of BBA member sponsors Frazier Wealth Management, American Family Insurance, Roloff Construction, Noho’s Hawaiian Cafe, Curaleaf, and Silhouette (another BWNA newsletter advertiser). Also planned for display are sponsor banners, windsocks, red-white-and-blue wrappings around poles, and a hanging banner across Fremont Street encouraging folks to “Shop Local!” As for promotional celebrations, Frazier says that while the door is open to adding an event of some kind in the summer or fall (condition permitting), the main target right now for BBA is to put on a bigger and better Winter Holiday Fest in December (again, condition permitting).
The absence of revenue from Fremont Fest coupled with an economy still mired in the throes of recession have combined to deal the BBA treasury a double whammy. Still, Andy reflects, “For the most part, the members are hanging in, although we are being very flexible with renewals.” To his fellow B-W residents, Frazier implores, “Our local businesses are continuing to support our (business) district; let’s continue to support them as much as possible right now.” Fasten your masks and explore!