Boomtown: Downtown Washington becoming attractive business location
Downtown Washington, which for years has been populated with empty storefronts, is becoming a haven for new business.
Three ribbon cuttings were scheduled this week, putting new enterprises in the heart of the city.
“We’re really starting to pick up some steam,” said Shana Brown, Main Street Manager for the Washington Business District Authority.
Pretzels Plus, which moved from Washington Crown Center in North Franklin, cut the ribbon Tuesday on its new location at 189 S. Main St. Cutting Board Deli, at 101 N. Main St., and BaitFish, at 35 W. Chestnut St., will cut the ribbon Thursday and Friday, respectively. Both Cutting Board and BaitFish, a fishing supply store, have been operating since March 1.
The three join a number of recently opened businesses, including Destination Candy, 148 N. Main; The Table, 21 E. Chestnut; Masala House Indian Bistro, 57 W. Chestnut., and Cornerstone Dental Assistant Academy, 36 N. Main. Coming soon are Jenna’s Custom Cakery and Respawn Entertainment, a gaming and event center.
“Not only are we getting these amazing businesses, we’re also getting places for people to go,” Brown said.
Brown said she has been making a concentrated effort to bring businesses into the city’s downtown.
“I’ve been going after them,” she said. “If I hear of somebody that wants to come in, I call them and say, ‘Let me show you what we have.'”
So far, business has been brisk for the newcomers.
“We’ve been busy and gotten lots of good reviews on Facebook and Google,” said Bobbie Miller, owner of the Cutting Board Deli. “I only have a one-year lease at that building and I can already use a bigger building. I’ve been very busy.”
The same holds true for Ron Semple, owner of BaitFish, who moved from Jefferson Avenue to his new location beneath Rich’s Barber Shop.
“Parking is a little iffy at lunchtime, but other than that, it’s going good, a lot of new customers,” Semple said.
Amanda Newhouse, an owner at Cornerstone Dental Assistant Academy, is happy to be in downtown Washington.
“It’s great to see the growth downtown, and we’re happy to be a part of it,” she said.
The city offers programs, including a tiered business privilege tax, to make the downtown an attractive place to set up shop. In the first year, no business privilege tax is paid, followed by discounted payments in the next two years. In year four, 100% payment is required.
There’s also the WBDA’s Facade Grant Program, funded annually with Washington County Local Share Account money. Businesses can apply for funding to be used for exterior improvements, such as visible roof repairs, gutter and downspout replacement or repairs and power washing.
“Anything that is visible from the street would be covered by that,” Brown said. “It’s really made a big difference in the downtown area.”
Washington Mayor JoJo Burgess said adding so many businesses is definitely a benefit.
“It helps the city in multiple ways,” Burgess said. “It attracts people to come to the city and see what we have to offer here in Washington. Shana has been doing a helluva job in making sure that we get good solid businesses coming into the city. Good businesses and a good reputation bring more foot traffic and more revenue to the city whenever these businesses open up.”
Brown admitted she has a certain type of business owner that she likes coming into the city – one who has a stake in the community.
“I’ve become very picky about who I’m going after,” Brown said. “It’s the people who have been here and want to stay in Washington and make Washington a better place. This is where they want to raise a family and where they’re going to live. Those are the people that make the difference. I’m working with quite a few more that are going to be coming in. It’s really exciting.”
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