HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Goderich Signal-Star, 2009-05-13, Page 13Photo by
Gerard Creces
Susan
Armstrong,
Goderich's
new BIA man-
ager, prefers
the outdoors
to a desk any
day. The
recently hired
Armstrong
brings a cre-
ative, ener-
getic force to
the downtown
revitalization
table.
Goderich Signal -Star, Wednesday, May 13, 2009 - Page A13
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• signal -star staff
"Do you mind if we go for a walk?"
asks Goderich's new Business Improve-
ment Area manager, Susan Armstrong. "I
think better on my feet."
It's a sunny morning and around The
Square, closed signs are being turned
around to open as the downtown business
district comes to life.
It's that same district, an octagon sur-
rounded by a 65 -acre square, that Arm-
strong wants to see flourish.
That means helping businesses any way
she and the BIA can.
It's not just about getting more custom-
ers on The Square, she said. It's also about
building a sense of community downtown.
Between parades, the BIA's summer con-
cert series and the many festivals held in
the downtown, Armstrong said "mutual
support from residents and business go
a long way to making a downtown that
works.
"We try to ask businesses, what do you
want?" she said.
New businesses, • particularly unique
businesses, are what's wanted on The
Square, as was highlighted in the 2008
BIA survey, and when someone is ready to
relocate to Goderich, Armstrong is there
to welcome and support.
The challenge lay in getting those busi-
nesses to call The Square home.
That's where she comes in.
Building off her own enthusiasm, the
new manager is looking at any and every
way to attract people and drum up busi-
ness to downtown.
Armstrong has lived in Belgium,
France, and closer to home, in Toronto
and Bayfield. While the new downtown
spokeswoman has moved around quite a
bit, with a Friday morning walk around
town, you can tell she likes her new home
just as much.
"Don't you just love this building?" she
asks outside a residence on Nelson Street.
It's not the first or the last time she men-
tions the architecture, the heritage or the
history of downtown. She is full of facts
about the park, the architecture and the
heritage of the business district.
Armstrong has done her homework.
She said she has a passion for the arts,
and understands the importance of com-
munity from her ten years doing theatre
in Goderich.
She and Nina Reynolds recently co -di-
rected two plays with the GLT.
But, she said, most of her learning
comes from talking to people, finding out
what they want.
"How can we help you?" she said is the
question asked to new business in town.
Whether that be networking with similar
businesses, in-kind supply or assistance
downtown between businesses or just get-
ting to know the neighbours, approaching
the BIA is a great first step, she said.
"If (new business) are already down-
town, they're a part of it (BIA) already,"
she said.
With a background in fashion, retail
and in theatre, Armstrong's creativity and
enthusiasm will suit her well in her new
role.
Only two months into the job, she is al-
ready looking 'to the future of downtown
and with the busy summer season ahead,
there will be many more walks, and many
more opportunities to promote the Busi-
ness Improvement Area in Goderich.
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