Albany locals are being given the opportunity to submit their ideas for which stores, cafes and franchises they would like to see occupy vacant buildings in the Albany CBD in a newly released survey.
This five-question survey conducted by the Albany Chamber of Commerce aims to discover the gaps and opportunities presented by the city center's retail and hospitality sectors.
ACCI CEO Kristen Pills-Brown said the survey was aimed at gauging community trends regarding potential future business.
She stressed that having a “vibrant, tenant-filled” main street is essential for small communities and helps funnel money back to local residents.
Kristen Pyrz-Brown, chief executive officer of Camera IconACCI, wants to see York Street as a community hub with “vibrant tenants.” Credit: Karen Timmins/RegionalHUB
“It creates local jobs and all business owners, even franchisees, live and work in our community,” she said.
“There are also more likely to be incidental purchases that flow from store to store.
“Some people may come to York Street or the surrounding area to buy a birthday present at one location, go to another location for a card or gift wrap, and in between buy flowers or a takeaway coffee. Not just because everything is in one place.''
The two-minute survey asks respondents to indicate their age, gender, employment status, category of business they would most like to see, and specific brands or franchises they particularly enjoy.
Pills-Brown said having multiple different businesses in one location increases purchasing rates, making high-traffic areas like York Street an ideal location for entrepreneurs.
“Consumers are notorious for wanting convenience, which is why mega-malls in metropolitan areas do so well,” she says.
“The presence of a wide range of retail and hospitality stores on Main Street means more people are attracted to the 'one-stop-shop' nature of having everything they need in a small area. I will.
“We hope to see more entrepreneurs take up space on York Street and create more buzz in the city.”
Surveys are being accepted until November 12th.
