Hello
Recently I had coffee at the brightly decorated Gravel and Grind artisanal coffee and bike shop on East 6th Street in Downtown Frederick. What an amazing adaptive reuse of an old auto showroom with large plate glass windows and major cool factor. One property at a time, Frederick’s north end is buzzing with energy generated by new businesses, from crossfit to coffee, haircuts to hospital equipment, and bikes to beer. But downtown isn’t alone in that regard, as my wife and I recently had a date night on the Golden Mile at the new Thai Meric Eatery and Bar followed by a showing of the movie Belfast in reclining seats at Warehouse Cinema – what a great experience. I am told that Warehouse Cinema is one of the top performing 10 screen theaters in the country. I am simply in awe of Frederick’s entrepreneurs and small businesses which help make our city one the most livable in the country according to livability.com. Please consider supporting your local businesses through holiday purchases and gift cards – it makes a difference.
I also want to highlight a huge step forward by the City through newly adopted Purchasing Policies which will launch Minority & Women Owned Business Enterprise & Small Business Reserve Programs. Getting a foot in the door with local government contracts for products and services is one way that small minority and women owned businesses can scale sustainable operations and stabilize revenue. This issue of Business eNews is chock full of stories about those new programs along with workforce Biotech Bootcamp, North Market Street Revitalization, State of the Golden Mile, Airport Taxiway completion, and more.
Best wishes for the season – Shop Local!
Best,
