According to this article in the StarTribune, Farmington businesses are banding together to try and attract more businesses and more potential customers to their small town. Named “Grow Farmington”, this group of ~80 businesses met and came up with some ideas on how to entice people to stay in Farmington as well as come from far and wide to Farmington to spend their money.
The first initiative, “Farmington Friendly” is aimed at bringing people to Farmington. The business leaders believe that by sprucing up downtown through cleaning efforts and by bringing back the flowerpots lost to city budget cuts in recent years, that people will want to spend time there. In addition they plan to continue such exciting events as the wildly unpopular Minnesota Soybean Festival and have plans to bring an classic car show with unrelated fire-breathing entertainers and a street dance to heat up one evening in July.
But they have plans to extend the opportunity for even more people to visit Farmington by adding even more events including ones in the winter. While they already had the incredibly popular Dazzle Days in December where an astonishing 0.95% of Farmington’s population (200 out of 21,000) showed up downtown to take advantage of all that was being offered, they created another winter event, Super SnoBlast which promoted riding your snowmobile between bars.
From the article:
Super SnoBlast featured a snowmobile run between city bars and a coffee shop on Super Bowl weekend. It’s a way to “familiarize the metro area with the city of Farmington and all it has to offer,” said Vida Raine, a local florist and event promoter for the business association. The cold-weather festival, which included a buffet dinner and karaoke singing, was planned “to make use of Farmington’s abundance of farmland in the winter months,” her release said.
While bringing back flowerpots and small town activities to a downtown area may sound like a great idea, some may wonder if it’s really going to do much to attract anyone to Farmington. What are your thoughts on what is being offered? Would flowerpots, soybean festivals, and Christmas tree lightings bring your dollars to Farmington or do you believe there are other offerings that could be made which would be more attractive to you? Would you like your own city’s businesses to band together and chip in to fund items like flowerpots and the city worker’s time to care for them instead of having special assessments or tax dollars fund it such as what happens in Burnsville?
Whatever you have to say about the efforts being made by Farmington’s businesses to attract more people as well as other businesses to the city go ahead and comment on as I’d love to hear what you have to say.
Dakota Complaints Map
Dakota Inmate Dashboard
Loading ...
May 5th, 2011 at 9:47 am
I think that these initiatives are going in the wrong direction. I live in Farmington, and am not interested in attending a soybean festival or a snowmobile booze cruise. What WILL keep me and my dollars in town would be more opportunities like the ones I drive to Northfield or say in Minneapolis or Apple Valley for. I would like to see the grocery store offer better produce and grocery selection and deli items, and have better management so that things like the price of cheeses is readily available, and so that their staff are trained to offer help to customers rather than hang out behind the service desk chatting; more than once I have left a full cart without buying because of poor customer service at the Farmington Econo Foods. I have contacted management with complaints, tried again, and then had the same experience. They are undergoing a store upgrade/new layout, which may mean there are other changes taking place.
I would also like to see some good, independently owned restaurants, that focus on a quality food product (not a pre-made or pre-packaged one). We can go out to breakfast in town and eat pre-cooked eggs on a benedict (the waitress actually let me know that the poached/basted eggs were pre-cooked first thing in the morning and left to languish throughout breakfast service), or visit another newer establishment where most food is clearly from the food service truck, but these types of venues do not keep me in town. I would love to see restaurants or even bars that built community and drew in the outliers; I know many people who have a Farmington address but who never even drive through the downtown because there is no reason to go there.
I do love Farmington for a number of reasons, but my entertainment/fun money does not get spent here, and I think the city could better focus on bringing in the right kind of business to make that happen.
May 5th, 2011 at 10:08 am
I think its great that business owners are making an effort and not looking for handouts from local govt. I would say the intentions are in the right place, and they have to start someplace.
I feel like the next step would be to seek out and consider feedback and advice from people in town and in surrounding communties. The feedback Shannon has given above is truly priceless.
I am much more likely to go to Farmington for a Car Show than I am to drive there from Burnsville to shop at Econo Foods. So I dont think they are really on the wrong course, just that they may be trying to do some big things when they could be looking at lower hanging fruit to get things started.
May 5th, 2011 at 10:30 am
I think there is a glaring issue Farmington can’t really get over, it’s actual geography. IMO, there is just not enough population south and east of the city to support what might bring more people to town. Specifically, places like Target and other large national retailers.
Lakeville residents can go over to AV or Eagan or Burnsville to shop at popular retailers that help keep the residents of those cities within their cities. South and east people from small communities can go to Hastings.
Am I saying that it is a good thing that the majority of people want to shop at big national retailers? I am not sure, but it seems to be a fact. I know I would rather drive to Byerly’s (large local chain place) for fresh food than go to the Econo place for example.
Those businesses need to succeed because they are differentiated from the big box places, but without the traffic you get from bigger attractions, it seems like they are sort of set up to fail from the get go.
May 5th, 2011 at 10:34 am
Yes, let’s promote drunken snowmobiling IN TOWN! Brilliant! (I’ll pencil that day in on my calendar as the one to be AS FAR AWAY from Farmington as possible)
Aside from that, I don’t think businesses banding together to create events to attract people to town is exactly a revolutionary concept. Having family in towns of similar nature (with a quaint “downtown”) up north — Park Rapids and Walker, I’ve seen all kinds of things that bring us into town. They usually center around well-planned sports events like triathlons/duathlons/5k every year, or parades (we freeze our asses off every year with several hundred other people in Walker for their Christmas parade the evening after Thanksgiving).
If you really want to draw people in, you have to create something really off-the-wall like the “International Frozen Turkey Bowling Championship” weekend in the middle of January when it’s 20-below, complete with closing off the main drag, setting up some some “lanes” and adding stuff like a well-organized chili cookoff, parade, etc. Something hard core like that will get attention in the media and maybe, if done right, attract one of those 3rd rate Food Network celebs that have a following of millions of sheeple like Guy Fieri.
May 5th, 2011 at 10:35 am
Actually, now that I think of it…maybe Frozen Turkey Curling (as in the olympic sport) might be more fun and even more unique.
May 5th, 2011 at 10:38 am
I didn’t want to point out my true opinions on what I felt the bar-hopping snowmobiling outing was all about but I’m glad others think the same way I do.
May 5th, 2011 at 10:39 am
The group should focus on one things: quality. Keep the area clean, have quality restaurant, and sell good quality stuff. Once those are down, then have a few simple events to show off the area. Shannon seems to confirm that work needs to be done on the fundamentals.
Groups like this tend to over think the problem and try to get too creative. People will pay for quality and say “thank you sir may I have another”.
May 5th, 2011 at 11:22 am
It just seems to be much ado about nothing. The planters while charming are not much more than a fresh coat of paint on a barn in that it doesn’t have any impact on the bottom line but it looks nice. I’ve noticed the lovely planters they have in Red Wing but the planters don’t make me go there more frequently or motivate me to make any purchases.
Like other posters I would prefer to keep the drinking of snowmobilers to a minimum, especially as they have a tendency in Farmington to drive along the railroad tracks and drunks and trains are not a good mix. This is beyond the grasp of our local police. The local newspaper even had a pictures of snowmobilers crossing Elm/Highway 50, the main drag through town, on the railroad track. If I were a cop that’s just where I would sit. Pull everyone over as it’s nowhere near a snowmobile trail, it’s trespassing on the railroad right away and then to protect the public pull out the old breathalyzer while you’ve got their attention.
But in Farmington plain old common sense can be hard to find, i.e. blocking off the main north/south street for a farmers market when the parking lot at the old city hall is available which wouldn’t affect car traffic.
The Soybean fest, Dew Days, etc. are fine but in the end they’re just more paint on the barn. No one is going to come to Farmington to shop because they remember having such a great time at a special event. The vendors that they enjoyed are just that, temporary vendors. Might make them come back a following year but the City doesn’t get any revenue from these events as they waive all the permit and garbage fees and the vendors are by and large from out of town.
May 5th, 2011 at 11:39 am
I respect that they’re trying to do something like this and think they have the right intentions. But I agree with Lefty in that geography is very much working against them here. The last time I deliberately went to Farmington for anything was to go to the county fair several years ago, and I’ve maybe passed through it once or twice since. There’s just no reason for me to trek down there from where I live, let alone somebody who lived in another part of the Metro.
Plus, they’re not a small town anymore, they’re a suburb, and need to focus on what current residents want and need. A snowmobile bar crawl? A soybean festival? Seriously? Maybe twenty years ago, but I doubt that’s what people who moved to Farmington in the last decade are looking for. The quaint small town marketing angle might work for some places, but not Farmington.
May 5th, 2011 at 11:44 am
Especially when Northfield, only a short drive away, doing it far better for much longer.
May 8th, 2011 at 11:11 am
I’m sure lakeville’s down town benefits from the converted church, the bowling alley, and Babes Bar in the area to drive some business there. Unfortunately for them, down town Farmington lacks what it is that drives people there: Things people want.
I tried to go downtown more but there just wasn’t anything I needed. I tried to use the auto parts store down town, but either they were closed (not open on sunday, short hours on Saturday) or the part I needed wasn’t there, but they had it at their warehouse. Their warehouse is in Lakeville, and has better hours than they do. So I started just going there first.
I try to hit the hardware store down there whenever I can. There isn’t anything to keep me there after I buy my 49 cent nut or bolt. I’m reminded of a time when friend who’s daughter plays hockey was coming to Farmington for a hockey tournament. She asked me if there was someplace good around to take the team to for lunch afterwards that was close to the arena. Where in Farmington should I have told them to go? I really couldn’t think of anyplace “good”.
May 10th, 2011 at 12:17 pm
Farmington doesn’t really have anyplace “good” to eat…it is one of my greatest sadnesses. There are a few isolated gems if you search hard, though: the Farmington Steak House has an insane following online, and although it’s not for me every day, I do enjoy a gyro sandwich there about every 2-3 months. Also, the Long Branch has an okay breakfast…they are a very friendly small-town place with a breakfast that is better than the VFW or the like. Finally, I’ve heard from friends that The Ugly Mug has great sandwiches but haven’t ever been moved to actually go in. I know it’s been reviewed on this site…but has anyone tried it since the new owners took over at the end of 2010?
May 11th, 2011 at 9:24 am
Shannon, I haven’t been there since the new management took over but I am interested in trying it again. The food wasn’t anything special but it would be a nice place to meet up and have a meal with friends.
Maybe I should get in there again. Any takers?
May 11th, 2011 at 12:08 pm
I get the feeling the Ugly mug does pretty well, as the few times I hit Subway over there it seems that the lot is full and in the summer I see lots of folks outside. I could handle a meet-up over there.
May 17th, 2011 at 7:36 am
From: http://www.bizjournals.com/twincities/morning_roundup/2011/05/farmington-chucks-its-branding-slogan.html
I want to personally thank the MSPBJ for giving me a great laugh this morning.
May 17th, 2011 at 8:50 am
I am imagining a pretty funny photo op when the first billboard goes up with that slogan.
May 17th, 2011 at 8:35 pm
I thought “There’s Something in the Soil” was the slogan for the possible Vikings stadium in Arden Hills, myself. It’s one of the worst slogans for a town I’ve ever heard.
May 20th, 2011 at 12:57 pm
Ugh: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Thisweeklivecom/~3/uYDmHtyd9YY/
June 19th, 2011 at 9:26 pm
Ok, Shannon so hit the nail on the proverbial head……..esp with Econo Foods, they do NOT care about their customers (there is one cashier, an older lady that does but that seems to be it). Yes, they are doing a remodeling but as someone said, that is just slapping paint on the barn. They hire lots of high schoolers which is great but they are interested in mainly socializing…….the floral manager, Martha, is great but the deli is disgusting, the produce is too, and check meat and dairy cuz it’s probably out of date or close dated.
As far as Dew Days goes, don’t bother with it unless you are one of the Farmtown good ol’ boys, then they care about………and forget about volunteering with anything in this city, they aren’t interested in community members volunteering, they only want the Farmtowners (Farmtowners are people who were born in Farmington, schooled in Farmington, raised in Farmington and still living in Farmington in their middle ages)..they don’t want real change or fresh ideas. If you don’t follow their commands then your opinion doesn’t count. Heck even the newpaper doesn’t allow citizens/readers to comment on their stories as they have gotten some bad comments and they don’t like it so they just did away with the comments on each article, viola!, no more bad comments, just sunshine and roses.
A good example of the backwards ways of Farmtown…..this weekend was Dew Days, had I not seen the flyer in the complimentary Independent, I wouldn’t have realized a thing was going on in the town, probably because I live in the northern part of the city and the two parts really aren’t connected well.
Had I not purchased a house in Farmington that I love and if the economy were better and I might consider moving to Rosemount, that is a community that knows the value of their community members, whether or not those members reside in Rosemount or surrounding communities. They were very welcoming to me into their Leprechaun Days committee, yes, even knowing I was from Farmington (at that point our Rambling River Days committee was the brunt of jokes near and far with their overspending and such)
It is no surprise to me that a large portion of Farmington residents spend their money in Apple Valley, Rosemount, Lakeville and further. They offer more, more GOOD restaurants, shopping, events, activities and so much more.
August 4th, 2011 at 7:01 am
[...] ordinance to allow chickens to be raised in the “urban” areas of the city. While the City’s newly created motto is “Grow Farmington: There’s Something in the Soil,” it’s fairly clear that the [...]
October 6th, 2011 at 8:06 am
[...] those in attendance and viewing on TV/Internet to “shop local”. With Farmington’s “Grow Farmington” campaign on-going, you would think that Farmington businesses would be thrilled with his message, [...]
December 1st, 2011 at 8:24 pm
Hidden due to low comment rating. Click here to see.
December 1st, 2011 at 8:35 pm
You ought to know Tim; your wife owned it.
December 2nd, 2011 at 8:07 am
So is this the first instance of an idiot astroturfing a property that has already failed?
If so, no wonder it failed. Oh, Tim Warner, silly silly Tim Warner.
December 2nd, 2011 at 8:36 am
OK, public apology follows…sorry! The people who were actually in the shop and talked to us know that I am actually agreeing with you — this tendency that Farmington has to focus in the wrong direction and to believe that only “Farmtowners” opinion’s matter is a big part of Farmington’s problem…
December 2nd, 2011 at 8:40 am
Just to set the record straight, the business didn’t fail. The city sold the building to a very nice family who needed office space. Now, whether that is actually a good fit to attract people to downtown Farmington is another question.
December 2nd, 2011 at 8:47 am
Thanks Tim.
December 2nd, 2011 at 9:49 am
Maybe if people like Tim would engage in a constructive dialogue instead of vague, passive-aggressive, disingenuous posts on a blog, the Cities might improve the way they do things.
December 2nd, 2011 at 10:19 am
MSPD – We belonged to the business association, participated on several committees, attended city meetings — in other words, tried our best to “engage in constructive dialogue”…we cared about Farmington and still would like to see the downtown area grow into a viable business district. It’s very frustrating (that’s where my “vague, passive-aggressive, disingenuous post” came from. I’m trying to move on, OK? Just having trouble letting go :-)
December 2nd, 2011 at 10:23 am
The entertainment never ceases around here.
December 2nd, 2011 at 11:19 am
I can understand, and I sympathize.
It’s also “frustrating” to be a part of a community where folks constantly dilute good conversation with sneaky “independent reviews” of their own restaurants, anonymous insider comments, and other attempts at deceit. Yeah…I have trouble letting to too.
I give you credit. Sometimes when we call posters on their BS, they still refuse to own up to it. At least you had the guts to do the right thing and fill in the blanks.
December 3rd, 2011 at 3:45 pm
I have lived and worked in Farmington for nearly 30 years and beleive Farmington had something to offer for about the first 10 years. My opinion is that when surounding communities where growing, Farmington believed it was best to keep a “small town” feel and stunted the growth of the city, passing up on opportunties for big businesses and industries to move into town. They are now trying to play catch up and it is not working. “North Farmington” is growing in population but spends all its money in Rosemount, Lakeville, and Apple Valley. “South Farmington”, the so called downtown area is growing very little and any attempts sit empty. What Farmington is good at is throwing lawsuits around and wasting taxpayer money.
September 26th, 2012 at 7:02 am
[...] like Farmington’s “Grow Farmington” and “Farmington Friendly” initiatives, Lakeville’s “Positioned to Thrive” is cheesy and useless when it comes to [...]