By Jonann Brady
The chamber has hired FranchiseHelp Inc., a Westchester-based consulting firm, to market Baldwin as an attractive location for businesses. The chamber hopes that FranchiseHelp can use its extensive industry contacts to match Baldwin with appropriate franchises.
Doris Duffy, president of the chamber, says that the community is hoping to attract a variety of businesses other than fast-food restaurants and discount chains. "We have an affluent, young population spending their entertainment dollars elsewhere," said Duffy. "Baldwin can sustain more restaurants and youth-oriented businesses."
FranshiseHelp bills itself as a "one-stop source" for franchisees and franchisers, and typically works with business owners, vendors and those who want to start franchises. This is the first time it has been hired by a town to bring in businesses.
"It's really quite different," said FranchiseHelp founder and president Mary Tomzack, who is working with Baldwin. "It's an interesting assignment that we hope will be successful."
The chamber will use part of the $6,000 raised at the summer's Community Leaders' Softball Game to pay for FranchiseHelp's services.
The chamber first crossed paths with Tomzack in 1998, when she spoke to members of the Downtown Development Committee. At that point, said Duffy, the chamber was in the midst of polling the community and putting together its Downtown Improvement Study, an in-depth analysis of Baldwin's demographics and a blueprint for future improvements.
"Before, we needed a plan and needed physical improvements to start happening," said Duffy. With the study complete and several beautification projects completed or in the works, the chamber was ready to move forward and market the town. Efforts to lure businesses like Old Navy, JoAnn Fabrics and Michael's Crafts Store proved unsuccessful.
Duffy and other members believe that FranchiseHelp will provide an "in" with business owners. "With a professional colleague reaching out, maybe they'll pay more attention," said Duffy. She added that the chamber is independently creating a brochure and updating the chamber Web site to provide ready marketing materials.
According to Tomzack, the first step will be to put together a fact sheet on Baldwin and then try to match the type of businesses residents want to see with what's out there. Though Tomzack didn't cite specific franchises, she said she would focus on casual restaurants and coffee shops, entertainment centers and businesses catering to young people and children.
The challenge, said Tomzack, will be to identify available vacant properties in town and match their specs with franchise needs. "Real estate is key," she said.
Some attractive locations, such as the former Friendly's restaurant on Grand Avenue, are off the market. The real estate broker in charge of that property declined to identify the new tenant. Other times, said Tomzack, landlords stand in the way. "Sometimes it's hard to find owners of these locations. Small owners can be hard to get to," she said.
But Tomzack said she is optimistic about the project and will soon be coming to town to "eyeball" potential properties. Both Duffy and Tomzack say that community members themselves could be an integral part of the process. "We'd love to see if there are some local residents who can step up to the plate and help find some top-notch businesses," said Tomzack.
For more information on FranchiseHelp, visit its Web site at www.franchisehelp.com.
