Beyond Pizza and Pedicures

We have all heard the jokes about Melrose having too many pizza shops and nail salons. The reality is, market demand and financial considerations drive our small business community and apparently pizza and pedicures reign supreme. But we know residents would like to see variety throughout our downtown and secondary business districts. And we also know variety is good for small businesses and good for a vibrant and healthy community. From bookstores to microbreweries, the people of Melrose have amazing ideas. When we embrace these ideas, engage stakeholders to support our planning, and create a more business friendly climate, we can turn ideas into action and create the small business community we crave (well, not more than a buffalo chicken calzone).

After years of engaging with residents, small business owners, the Chamber of Commerce, commercial property owners and developers, attorneys and real estate professionals, I have a clear understanding of the challenges and opportunities we face in Melrose. With a strong managerial approach and a commitment to effective implementation, I am confident we can make changes quickly that will encourage growth and still preserve what we love about Melrose.

As Mayor, here’s what I will do right away:

• Ask the Aldermen to amend liquor license ordinances in order to attract new restaurants and strengthen existing establishments.
• Change permits to encourage restaurants to provide more outdoor seating options.
• Support the Inspectional Services Department to use tools to fill vacant buildings and hold contractors accountable to timelines.
• Use technology, like tablets and online forms, to speed up permitting and inspections.
• Streamline the process for new businesses that interact across multiple city departments.
• Create additional small-scale public events to engage residents of all ages and bring our community together to stay and spend across all of our business districts.

I will also create a Small Business Task Force, including City staff and community experts, to:

• Recommend strategies to address barriers and challenges for small businesses.
• Host workshops to support merchants with smart strategies like how to sign leases that set them up for success.
• Explore tax initiatives to match commercial property owners with desired businesses.
• Review our current parking challenges and find ways to encourage more walking and biking.
• Ensure our practices are business and community friendly, but also leverage opportunities for financial and economic development in our city.
• Create an annual set of small business recommendations for consideration and implementation.

The Mayor’s office and City Hall play an important role in attracting the businesses our community wants and setting those businesses up for success. The actions I will take as Mayor cost little and are achievable within our current budget, yet will yield powerful results as we build a more vibrant and sustainable small business community in Melrose.