BY JILL D'AMICO

As part of the re-launch of its Brooklyn Shops neighborhood retail development program, the Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce partnered with Berkeley College and the Merchants of 3rd Avenue Civic Improvement Association to hold a breakfast seminar titled, "Attract More Customers – Market Your Business with Visual Merchandising," on Jan. 22 at the Bay Ridge Manor. The event, aimed at small business owners along Bay Ridge’s 3rd Avenue, provided expert tactics to draw customers into shopping locally.

Rosalie Rance, interim COO and vice president of marketing and membership at the Brooklyn Chamber, spoke about how shop owners could best capitalize on the influx of new residents moving to Bay Ridge from Manhattan and other parts of Brooklyn.

Professor Robert Woods of Berkeley College gave a presentation about the importance of visual merchandising for small retailers and came armed with examples. For instance, 75% of consumers remember a store’s entrance. Professor Woods urged businesses to maximize that impression by livening up their window displays and entryways, which would draw foot traffic inside, as well as showcase Bay Ridge’s vibrant business community.

Carl Hum, president and CEO of the Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce said, “We want to make sure these retailers have the resources they need to present their best face to the neighborhood and beyond. There is strength in numbers, and to align a retail corridor, as the Brooklyn Shops program does, will bode well for the continuing success of these businesses and the retail corridor as a whole.”

The program could not have been possible without the support of New York State Senator and Bay Ridge booster Marty Golden.

“We all know that small businesses are the economic engine of our city and we must ensure that they have a strong environment to grow and prosper,” said Sen. Golden. “Together, with the Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce, we are going to make Brooklyn's business community stronger than ever.”

Rick Russo, vice president of economic development and strategic partnerships at the Brooklyn Chamber, said, “The Chamber is very pleased to be working so closely with the Merchants of 3rd Avenue Civic Association and Berkeley College in bringing Brooklyn Shops to Bay Ridge.  Brooklyn Shops will provide new marketing initiatives that address a changing community, and will serve to further the work of a dedicated neighborhood association on 3rd Avenue as well as the area’s consumers.”

Pictured above: (From left) Stuart Siegman, Berkeley College; Maggie Beaute-Lucien, Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce; Kevin Hill, Berkeley College; Robert Howe, Merchants of 3rd Avenue Civic Improvement Association; Professor Robert Woods, Berkeley College; Rosalie Rance, Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce; Rick Russo, Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce; Patrick Condren, 5th Avenue and 86th Street Business Improvement Districts. (Photo by Jill D’Amico)