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In an effort to keep the local economy strong and ensure that Historic Downtown Summerville thrives during the challenging national economic times, Summerville D.R.E.A.M. (Downtown Restoration, Enhancement and Management) has several initiatives in place. Summerville D.R.E.A.M. has identified several programs to help strengthen local businesses, keep independent business owners competitive, and draw customers into the shopping district with special events.
The organization has promoted a “Shop Local, Support Your Community” campaign with the marketing of its gift certificates, which can be used in member businesses, and brought educational resources downtown by way of additional classes and meetings for merchants. Marketing the district has become top priority with statewide advertising including print, outdoor and broadcast media as well as through social networking efforts such as Facebook, MySpace and BlogSpot. Excitement has been built downtown with hometown events such as HollyFest, Saturdays with Santa and the Summerville Christmas Parade in addition to Holiday Open Houses and extended hours.
Summerville D.R.E.A.M., which leads a volunteer-driven, preservation-based economic development program, is part of a national network of communities using the National Trust for Historic Preservation’s proven Main Street Approach™ to commercial district revitalization. The National Trust Main Street Center released in December results of a national poll of revitalizing communities that surveyed the local impacts of the national economic downturn. Of the 261 respondents, the Center learned that Main Street communities are holding strong despite gloomy economic forecasts:
33% say business owners have lower sales than this time last year;
27% say development projects have stalled;
24% say one or more businesses have closed;
21% say no significant business closings, reduction in sales, stoppage of major developments have occurred;
9% have seen new businesses open; and
7% have experienced a thriving local economy.
The work of organizations like Summerville D.R.E.A.M., which are focused on keeping their historic or traditional downtowns or neighborhood business districts strong, is more important than ever. Main Street programs throughout the nation are reporting that in order to soften the hardships of the challenging economy that they are ramping up business assistance and promotions to keep the commercial district in the minds of consumers. The survey found that 62 percent of respondents have been producing additional or bigger special events and retail promotions, 32 percent have coordinated advertising or joint marketing programs, 29 percent have focused on building media coverage, 28 percent have launched shop-local campaigns, and 20 percent have been offering business assistance and training programs.
“We are taking this economic downturn seriously and are working with the town and partners to deliver services and produce events,” says Kate McCaw, president of the Summerville D.R.E.A.M. Board of Directors. “We urge area residents to consider patronizing Downtown Summerville’s businesses first to keep local dollars local and to keep our community vibrant.”
Summerville D.R.E.A.M. (Downtown Restoration, Enhancement and Management) is a non-profit organization dedicated to preserving the historic identity, ensuring the economic vitality and promoting a sense of community in the heart of Downtown Summerville. Affiliated with Main Street South Carolina and the National Trust for Historic Preservation Main Street Center, Summerville D.R.E.A.M. promotes community pride and involvement through event coordination, business education and advocacy, supporting aesthetic improvements, fostering tourism and marketing Historic Downtown Summerville to residents and guests. For more information, please call 843-821-7260 or visit our Web site at www.summervilledream.org.
Ho, ho, ho! Santa will be making another stop in Historic Downtown Summerville appearing at Elf Central on Saturday, Dec. 20 from 12 to 4 p.m. Santa, Mrs. Claus and their elves will be visiting with all children and taking photos of the moment.
Elf Central is located at 227 South Cedar Street (Wells Fargo). Children may have their photos taken with Santa and leave with a candy cane. And even better news, local businesses and individuals have donated to bring Santa at no cost to you! Come to Elf Central for a free visit with Santa and receive a photo of your child and an extra value coupon book worth over $1500 for downtown businesses.
Local businesses and individuals that donated include: Kings Inn Bed and Breakfast, RSVP Events and Communications, Marigold’s, Art Central, Jim Friar, Ed and Betty O’Leary, Friends at CPW (Charlie Cuzzell, Patty Walton and Steve Fitchett), Greater Summerville/Dorchester County Chamber of Commerce, Century 21, Palmetto Salon, Hair Jazz, On a Limb Floral Designs, Teal, A Swanky Boutique, Dawn Lindsay, Under the Palm, People, Places and Quilts, Treasure the View, The Finishing Touch, Aura Lee’s Handbags, Jewelry and Accessories, Guerin’s Pharmacy, Dorchester Jewelers, Maggie Rose, East Winds, Flowertown Wine and Spirits, Lauree Bradway and Associates and Shear Excellence.
Capture the charm of shopping and strolling in Historic Downtown Summerville this holiday season, where parking is free and walking from shop to shop is as easy as a step around the corner. Enjoy an Old Fashioned Christmas experience with friendly folks, Southern warmth and a visit from Santa. Gift certificates are available, good in all DREAM member businesses. Shop locally and support your community! Call 843-821-7260 or visit www.summervilledream.org for more information.
Summerville D.R.E.A.M. (Downtown Restoration, Enhancement and Management) is a non-profit organization dedicated to improving the quality of life in Summerville by enhancing the aesthetic, cultural, social and economic aspects of the Historic Downtown district while preserving its historic identity. Affiliated with Main Street SC (MASC) and the National Main Street Association, Summerville D.R.E.A.M. works to enhance community identity and pride by providing “hometown” events, assisting businesses with design improvements, building tourism and marketing Historic Downtown Summerville to residents and guests. For more information, please call 843-821-7260 or visit our Web site at www.summervilledream.org.
If a picture is worth a thousand words, then a photographic history book coming out about Summerville should be priceless. With a little help from generous townspeople, the book surely will be.Summerville D.R.E.A.M. (Downtown Restoration, Enhancement and Management) is looking for old photographs that might be used in Summerville, a pictorial history to be published by Arcadia Publishing in its Images of America series.The importance of family collections cannot be overemphasized. Vintage photographs become increasingly fragile and by scanning and reproducing them in a book, they become available for all to see.Anyone having photographs to be considered for Images of America: Summerville may contact the Summerville D.R.E.A.M. office at info@summervilledream.org or 843-821-7260.
The Pinewood PTO has joined forces with Summerville D.R.E.A.M (Downtown Restoration Enhancement and Management) to host the first Pinewood Holiday Spirit Extravaganza. On Wednesday, Dec. 3 from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., Downtown Summerville shops and restaurants will open their doors to the Pinewood community and 10% of sales from participating merchants will be donated to the Pinewood PTO.
In addition to shopping and dining, entertainment will be provided by Pinewood students. The Kings Inn Bed and Breakfast will host a performance by the newly formed Pinewood Chorus under the direction of Janice Gamble. Art work by Pinewood students will be proudly displayed at Art Central. The Pinewood Spirit fashion team will model Downtown Summerville clothing and accessories at a fashion show coordinated by Avis MacLellan, director of the Model’s Studio and held at Relish Downtown. The Pinewood Panther will stroll the streets of Downtown Summerville passing out candy canes while teachers and students sing Christmas carols and so much more.
“This will be a wonderful opportunity to explore the wonderful stores in our community, shop for the holidays and support the PTO and Pinewood,” said Stacy Stagliano, Pinewood PTO President, “One lucky Pinewood shopper/diner will even win a $50 D.R.E.A.M gift certificate usable at most of the stores and restaurants downtown.”
Participating Shops and Restaurants Include: Art Central Ltd. Fine Art Gallery, Aura Lee’s Jewelry, Handbags and Accessories, Dale Wallace Fine Floral Creations, Dorchester Jewelers, The Finishing Touch, Carolina Jo’s Café, In High Cotton, Sarah’s View, Guerin’s Pharmacy, Lowcountry Music Academy , Flowertown Players, Piazza, Relish Downtown, The Eclectic Chef, Teal, Marigold’s, Maggie Rose, Prima Ballerina, The Model’s Studio and Charpia’s Formal Wear.
Please visit www.pinewoodprep.com or www.summervilledream.org for further information.
An independent, college preparatory school, Pinewood Preparatory School is dedicated to the intellectual, physical, ethical, and social development of its students, their families, faculty and staff. In order to enrich the communities we inhabit, our members strive to embrace challenges, cultivate global vision, seek knowledge, and love wisdom. For more information, please call 843-873-1643 or visit our Web site at www.pinewoodprep.com.Summerville D.R.E.A.M. (Downtown Restoration, Enhancement and Management) is a non-profit organization dedicated to improving the quality of life in Summerville by enhancing the aesthetic, cultural, social and economic aspects of the Historic Downtown district while preserving its historic identity. Affiliated with Main Street SC (MASC) and the National Main Street Association, Summerville D.R.E.A.M. works to enhance community identity and pride by providing “hometown” events, assisting businesses with design improvements, building tourism and marketing Historic Downtown Summerville to residents and guests. For more information, please call 843-821-7260 or visit our Web site at www.summervilledream.org.
Join us for Historic Downtown Summerville Feature Week on Lowcountry Live from December 1 to 5 for the opening of holiday activities. Lowcountry Live is a local talk show delivered live each morning at 10 a.m. between Live with Regis and Kelly and The View on ABC 4.
Seventeen of our charming shops, restaurants and businesses of Historic Downtown Summerville will be featured. The following businesses will be a part of the live segments on the show: Art Central, Lowcountry Music Academy, Kings Inn Bed and Breakfast, OK Florist, Piazza Home, Aura Lee’s Jewelry, Handbags and Accessories, Palmetto Salon, East Winds, Palmetto Wellness Center, Anytime Fitness, Marigold’s, Relish Downtown, Maggie Rose, Perfectly Frank’s, The Model’s Studio, Teal, a Swanky Boutique and the Greater Summerville Antiques Association. Segments will vary from fashion shows to culinary demonstrations to holiday decorating. Also, each person that goes to the ABC 4 News Web site will receive a coupon book for Historic Downtown Summerville (valued at over $1500!) in exchange for filling out a survey.
During the promotion, Summerville D.R.E.A.M. will be running a commercial showcasing Historic Downtown Summerville to support members during the holidays.
Hosted by the Summerville D.R.E.A.M. (Downtown Restoration, Enhancement and Management) and the Summerville Fire Department, the 2008 Summerville Christmas Parade will take place on Sunday, December 14 and will begin at approximately 2 p.m. The parade had over 3,000 actual participants and attracted between 15-20,000 spectators last year making it one of the largest parades in the state of South Carolina.This year's theme is "A Main Street Christmas." All community members are encouraged to promote their organization or business and holiday spirit by participating in the parade. Participants can enter a decorated float, have employees wear a holiday costume and distribute candy or come up with their own creative entry. All parade entries will be judged by adherence to theme, originality/creativity/overall effort and visibility. Only entries decorated in the holiday spirit will be allowed in the parade. Prizes will be awarded to the top entrant for Best Adherence to Theme, Most Creative, Most Original and Best Overall. Entry fees are $35 for a school or church group, $50 for non-profit or civic organization and $100 for a business (DREAM business members $50). There is also an option to contract a commercial float with driver and signage for $500. Commercial floats are "first come, first serve." Registration forms must be received no later than Monday, November 17, 2008 at 5 p.m.To receive a 2008 Summerville Christmas Parade registration packet, to contract a commercial float or for further information, please call the Summerville D.R.E.A.M. office at 821-7260. A rain date for the parade is scheduled for Sunday, December 21 at 2 p.m. We are looking forward to another great day in Historic Downtown Summerville with one of the best Christmas parades in South Carolina!
The Junior Service League of Summerville and Summerville D.R.E.A.M. (Downtown Restoration, Enhancement and Management) will host the annual Ghostwalk and Harvest Moon Hayride on Saturday, Oct. 25 from 6 to 9 p.m. in Historic Downtown Summerville.
The Junior Service League’s annual Ghostwalk is a fundraiser for area schools, which Summerville D.R.E.A.M. in turn supports by entertaining “ghost walkers” waiting for the tour with the Harvest Moon Hayride and a spooky concession stand. This year will include more joint activities such as glow-in-the-dark face painting and children’s activities such as a cupcake walk, fortune tellers, pumpkin decorating and much more.
Tickets are being sold for the Ghost Walk at In High Cotton, Sarah’s View, Possibly Picasso, All Books & Co., The Ultimate Closet, Piazza, A Finishing Touch and The Pink Crocodile. The Ghost Walk tickets are $3 in advance, $5 at the event. The Harvest Moon Hayride wagon rides are $3 and can be purchased that night (“lapsitters” ride for free!).
For more information, call Stephanie Fuller at 821-1384 or the Summerville D.R.E.A.M. office at 821-7260.
The Junior Service League, Inc. of Summerville is dedicated to reaching out to all women who demonstrate an interest in and a commitment to volunteerism. Individual and collective efforts work to foster the spirit of volunteerism, improve and benefit the Summerville area, build a sense of community, facilitate educational and leadership opportunities and provide charitable contributions to the Summerville community. www.summervillejsl.comSummerville D.R.E.A.M. is a non-profit organization dedicated to improving the quality of life in Summerville by enhancing the aesthetic, cultural, social and economic aspects of the Historic Downtown district while preserving its historic identity. Affiliated with Main Street SC (MASC) and the National Main Street Association, Summerville D.R.E.A.M. works to enhance community identity and pride by providing “hometown” events, assisting businesses with design improvements, building tourism and marketing Historic Downtown Summerville to residents and guests. www.summervilledream.org
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