Spring has finally Sprung!

The April  meeting was on Tuesday April 11, 2023 at 6pm-7p at Una Vida at 7960 Niwot Rd SuiteB12. Thank you to Una Vida for hosting! See  https://www.unavidaniwot.com/ to learn more about this business.  The speaker this meeting will be Sarah Cioni of Belle Terre. She will talk about “Losing it all along the way, and then gaining it back..plus some!” 

See https://www.belleterrefloral.com/about-sarah-copy to learn more. 

THIS MEETING WILL BE INDOORS.

Meeting Notes are below!

Nancy

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Niwot Business Association

Monthly Report 04/11/2023

11 April 2023 / 6:00 PM  Una Vida

ATTENDEES

See list

NOTES FROM THE PRESIDENT

Happy Spring! Spring means that Niwot will be blooming with activities and its signature flower pots. There will be events through Spring and into Summer in Niwot hosted by the NBA and championed by NBA members. 

Other Spring changes are in the air!  With the end of the Economic Development Director position, the NBA is allocating those funds differently to keep Niwot fresh and moving forward with projects. More will be discussed at the NBA Meeting next week. 

The NBA website is being worked on to help with functionality and content with help from Alicia Zamora. Julie Stenz will be reaching out to individual businesses to help with establishing businesses on the updated niwot.com page. Please reach out if you wish to help!

NOTES FROM THE VICE PRESIDENT

The retail map is signed off and in print – you will see two new retail signs up in town by the end of the month – one in the Emporium and the other in Niwot Market. 

We have finalized dates for Round the World Day   for May 20th, Lobsterfest for June 3rd and Honey Bee festival for September 16th.

Please watch out for an email this week asking storefronts on how they want to participate in all these events.

Also there was brainstorming around making Niwot the welcome stop town as part of the large MS Bike race for the weekend of June 24th/25th to encourage spectators to come to town, they stay, shop and dine.

Several businesses have signed up for the Scout guide and the NBA are considering a lower price option than originally presented – lots of exciting discussions taking place.

NOTES FROM THE SECRETARY

ACCESS TO MONTHLY MEETING NOTES

If you wish previous reports,  NBA bylaws, or meeting notes, please send your request to [email protected]

The April  meeting will be on Tuesday April 11, 2023 at 6pm-7p at Una Vida at 7960 Niwot Rd SuiteB12. Thank you to Una Vida for hosting! See  https://www.unavidaniwot.com/ to learn more about this business.  The speaker this meeting will be Sarah Cioni of Belle Terre. She will talk about “Losing it all along the way, and then gaining it back..plus some!” 

See https://www.belleterrefloral.com/about-sarah-copy to learn more. 

THIS MEETING WILL BE INDOORS.

The  NBA Executive Board has been elected, and thank you all for your votes!  There are still volunteer positions to be filled and, if you are interested in these positions,, or to learn more, please email [email protected]. 

 Please read about the NBA Exec Board positions here Succession Planning/Primer for NBA Executive Board Final Version 

The meeting schedule has been emailed to you each, and please reach out to [email protected]  if you wish a paper copy.  It is also listed below. I have attempted to have some new and some favorite hosts with beautiful venues for each month in 2023. Thank you to everyone who has agreed to host the NBA this year!

At each meeting of the NBA for 2023, there will be a meeting topic and a speaker to talk for 10-20 minutes. If you have a topic that you would like discussed, or if you would like to be a speaker, please reach out to [email protected].  Future topics include a mixer for NBA businesses and “Losing it all along the way, and then gaining it back..plus some!” 

Ribbon cuttings are back! If you wish to do a ribbon cutting for your NEW Niwot business, or if your business has a 1st, 5th, 10th, or other anniversary, please reach out to [email protected] for insights, support, and the world’s biggest pair of fake scissors. Catherine McHale has created a streamlined process for Ribbon Cuttings, so even if your business is not new-ish to Niwot and the NBA, you may wish to create a buzz by hosting a Ribbon Cutting.

NOTES FROM MEMBERSHIP

• Membership Numbers

• Julie Stenz is the NBA Membership Chair.   If you know of a new business in Niwot, please invite them to reach out to Julie Stenz, the NBA Membership Chair at [email protected]
• In 2022, 15 new members joined the NBA. WELCOME!In 2023, new members are welcome!
• Watch your email (and spam folders) for membership dues. Membership dues are due by the end of March 2023 if your business wishes to be included in the NBA Directory. Contact [email protected] if you do not receive an invoice or if it is incorrect. If you would like to pay dues for 2023, pay online or mail a check to P.O.Box 92, Niwot, CO 80544
• To be included in the 2023 Directory, reach out to Julie Stenz soon! The directory will be published in May 2023
• Julie will be reaching out to many individual businesses to ask if they want one-on-one help with the updated website. 
• Information about membership can be found in a document sent to each of you. Please reach out if you wish more information! 

NOTES FROM ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT & NIWOT MARKETING

March 2023 was Catherine’s last month as EDD/Marketing Director. Please applaud her for work well done!  After March 31st please address questions to Eric Bergeson. 

A Marketing and Advertising Committee will be formed, and Alicia Zamora and Kristina Burgooon will be part of that Committee. Additional volunteers are encouraged and please reach out to any NBA Board Member about this ASAP as the Committee needs to be formed by 14 April 2023. 

An Administrative Coordinator will be hired as a paid position for 10 hrs/wk. A job description is in the works. This person will help with data entry and coordinating events for the NBA.

NOTES FROM RETAIL COMMITTEE

We had a great turnout for the March retail committee meeting. Thanks everyone.

Retailers all agreed that Lucky Niwot Day was a success. Thankful for Deb Fowler and her team for all their hard work in making the event fun while driving customers and sales to our shops.

On another note, there seems to be an uptick in shops reporting theft crimes and there may be a trend with this happening during these special events. One retailer suggested that we hire a security guard to stroll thru the town during events, simply to make their presence known. Sarah is going to call the boulder county sheriff’s office to see if they have any suggestions. 

Kathy Trauner talked about championing an October Fest with Gene on Sept. 30th. Everyone was excited about seeing this event back on the calendar. Their plan is to have live bands, food trucks, a bier garden and pop up vendors.

Next meeting is Thursday, April 20th 9am Winot Coffee. See you there. 

NOTES FROM STREETSCAPES

IMPORTANT: There will be a paving project on 2nd Ave in May 2023 by Boulder County and there may be partial street closures for 1-4 days. Dates are yet to be set, and the NBA will be notified via email multiple times about this project to improve Niwot. See https://bouldercounty.gov/transportation/closures-and-construction/ for updates.

Eddie Running Wolf’s Tree Carving:  

The Spear Lodge Man tree sculpture was cut down on Saturday, Oct 3, 2021 and was moved to Jeff Wolcott’s bay late Fall on Niwot Road.Repairs have begun, and this will be a labor of love and time. We expect to have the repairs done by late summer or early fall, 2022. Maquettes that are 18-24 inches tall are being designed to be sold to help fund this project. Ongoing work 

Maquettes

The project to have maquettes of Eddie Running Wolf’s Tree Carving is coming into being. Dave Lee and the class at CU have made 3D print images of this sculpture. Thank you to Dave Lee! Image below:

Here, also, is a link with a video about restoration. https://niwotsculptures.weebly.com/

Requests for Streetscapes will be made to the L.I.D. by Eric Bergeson for now. 

Anyone interested in helping Niwot Streetscapes, please reach out to any NBA Member and to Eric. 

              NOTES FROM VOLUNTEER COORDINATOR

• Alison Steele of Niwot Market has agreed to become the NBA Volunteer Coordinator. THANK YOU, Alison!  As she takes on this role, she may reach out to NBA members who have volunteered before for advice and to volunteer again, and she is likely to reach out to NBA members who could join as volunteers. Volunteers are what makes Niwot hum with zest and activities all year long!
• Upcoming needs: See Keep Niwot Strong and please volunteer for 1-2 events!
• Interested in serving the community with us?                         Have a youth group or student in mind to volunteer?                                                                                                Contact Alison Steele at [email protected]
• Other ideas for events? Reach out to any of the NBA Board members by clicking on any of the email addresses in this report, or by contacting [email protected]

NOTES FROM ROCK & RAILS

• Rock & Rails’ 2023 season opens June 1st and runs through August 31st, for a total of 14 concerts this year! The ever-popular summer concert series is currently seeking sponsors, and there are a range of packages to choose from. For sponsorship information, contact Kathy Trauner at [email protected]. 

• If you would like to volunteer at a concert as a greeter, contact Alison Steele at [email protected]. 

NOTES FROM KEEP NIWOT STRONG

EVENTS

See https://niwot.com/events  for upcoming events!

Save the dates with all the following fun :

April 2023

• April 7 First Friday
• April 8 Annual Easter Egg Hunt
• April 16 Open Stage at Left Hand Grange

May 2023

• May 5 First Friday Art Walk
• May 20th Round the World Day
• May 20th House Blend Band(2nd Ave Summer Concert Series) 6-9pm
• May 20th Niwot Clean Up day

June 2023

• June 2 First Friday Art Walk
• June 3rd Lobsterfest
• June 10th House Blend Band(2nd Ave Summer Concert Series) 6-9pm
• Rock & Rails begins!
• Dancing Under the Stars begins!
• 24th June – MS Bike Ride – Niwot welcomes

July 2023

• July1-Aug 31  Why Not Niwot Art Show People’s Choice Voting
• July 4 Fourth of July in Niwot!
• July 7 First Friday Art Walk
• July 15 House Blend Band(2nd Ave Summer Concert Series) 6-9pm

August 2023

• August 4 First Friday Art Walk
• August 5 Flower Fest
• August 19 House Blend Band(2nd Ave Summer Concert Series) 6-9pm
• August 31st Rock and Rails last night of 2023

September 2023

• Sept 1 First Friday Art Walk
• Sept 7 Jared Foundation Concert
• Sept 9 House Blend Band(2nd Ave Summer Concert Series) 6-9pm
• Sept 16th Honeybee Festival 
• Sept 23rd Niwot Out and About
• Sept 30th Ocktoberfest

NOTES FROM EDUCATION OUTREACH

This position is open for applicants. 

To reach out for linking your business with Niwot High for mentorship or jobs, reach out to Adam Lotito [email protected]

NOTES FROM TREASURER

Specific questions about the NBA budget can be directed to [email protected].

Off to a great start for the year.   We have received about 50% of the membership dues.   If you have not yet paid, or need an invoice, please contact me at the email listed above.

HERE IS THE LINK TO THE L.I.D. Strategic Plan: https://docs.google.com/document/d/12oX9sdAy42K8lxpaMNmcUtFz3R44wn2Y5RKOf7tQIUM/e

Meeting Notes

Eric Bergeson opened the meeting and thanked Una Vida for hosting the NBA. Kristin Dura thanked the NBA for coming, and noted she respects each small business owner in Niwot for all they do. She thanked Niwot Tavern for the delicious food. She thanked Sarah Cioni for speaking today.  Kristin spoke about the practices that they offer including Flow Yoga, Chi Gong, and other practices to energize the body and mind. She invites NBA members to come and collaborate with Una Vida. Please look at https://www.unavidaniwot.com/  Eric thanked her for her courage in opening a business and taking a leap of faith. 

Eric noted that the NBA had a meeting with the L.I.D. and Eric had a “State of Niwot” address to the L.I.D.  Mary Coonce is away for this meeting, and Eric said she and he can answer He shared his thoughts

• Commercial occupancy rate is over 95% and this is not to be taken lightly, as 10 years ago, this was not the case. The NBA is 
• L.I.D. revenue (1% tax) has grown over 40% since 2019 and revenue for this tax is over $300000 and this is remarkable for a small town
• There is a full calendar of events for 2023 and we all should be proud of the events that are put on
• Anchor businesses in Niwot are doing well, including Niwot Market, the restaurants in town, and many of the shops
• We have excellent partnerships with the organizations in town, including the NCA, NCAA, Rotary, etc

There are challenges:

• The NBA could work on driving re construction of various business properties, including Colterra, the Feed Store, etc. The owner of the Feed Store has been very accommodating to let businesses use this space. Niles Dentistry is redeveloping the Lefty’s building. 
• The NBA wants to boost foot traffic, and more of this is needed. Events help during the event, and to encourage people to return after the events. Marketing for Niwot and improving infrastructure also helps.
• The NBA wants to continue to improve continuity of 2nd Ave and Cottonwood Square to connect Niwot together
• The NBA Exec is keeping pace with more work. The NBA Exec is volunteer based, and is getting stretched. 
• The NBA is concerned with the safety of Niwot Rd and 119. The NBA is working with Boulder County and CDOT to improve bus lanes, improve bike and pedestrian traffic, and to help with safety concerns. 

Eric spoke that the Economic Development Director role has been discontinued with Catherine McHale’s blessing and understanding. Eric spoke about the NBA needs more help with coordination of events and champions.  To help with this, there is a NEW part time role to help with the day to day maintenance of a master calendar, minutes from meetings, following up on details from meetings, following up on financial statements, and being a point of contact for NBA members. 

In regard to safety at Niwot Rd and 119, extensive discussions have On Thursday April 20th at 9:30am, please write in to the commissioners or attend in person or virtually. PUT IN WEBSITE. The NBA is asking them to put a tunnel in from the center lane to Niwot for safety for cyclist and pedestrian traffic. 

In light of the EDD going away, a Marketing Committee has been formed including Deb Read Fowler. They will survey marketing, bring it to the NBA Exec Board, and monitor the marketing budget. 

Questions were asked about The Scout book. There are 4-5 businesses in Niwot that have signed up, and the NBA is considering asking the L.I.D. for funding of a bifold layout in The Scout book.

Kathy Koehler spoke about The Grange on Wed April 19th at 7p will have Boulder County Transportation speak about the 119/Niwot Rd issue.

NHS has a lecture that discusses Niwot in the 1980’s and 90’s that shows how far Niwot has come in just a short time. https://niwothistoricalsociety.org/news-events/

Challenges with the website were discussed. In the future, an update on how this can work better will be sent out. 

Jess at Healing Collective introduced herself as a physical therapist who has joined the team. Please reach out to get to know her! https://www.thehealingcollective.us/physical-therapy

Rikki Fryeya and Kelly Smith were here to discuss Niwot Youth Sports. Thank you for all your support! They are at ⅔ of their $500000 goal for updated and improved sporting fields with bathrooms, field support, concession May 6th there will be a Kentucky Derby party as a fundraiser. They are looking for donations of auction items and for businesses to sponsor Niwot Youth Sports…if you want your business logo on a tee shirt, REACH OUT! There are 1500 children involved, and that is a LOT of potential shoppers and clients for your business! Reach out to https://www.niwotyouthsports.org/

Jamison Weise of Sunburst Window Cleaning at https://www.sunburstllc.com/ has a window washing business in Niwot.  Heis graduating high school and is looking for connections in the community. NBA members suggested reaching out to the mortgage companies and realtors.He was invited by Eric Bergeson to join the NBA. 

Sarah Cioni spoke about her inspirational story that spoke of how she dreamed her work as a florist, began her businesses, loved her work, and then lost her business. She spoke of how sad that was, and that she still loved her work, and so she dreamed again, and re-began her work. As a single mom who wanted to work, she struggled to find a landlord. Her landlord believed in her, and she was soon doing 75 weddings per year. She was a huge success at Painted Primrose in Niwot. She then moved to LA to support her brother in his fight with cancer. She was the florist for posh and famous weddings and the likes of Cher and Kim Kardashian. She then was part of the cast of TV show and then COVID hit. Hollywood shut down. She returned to Niwot, and within 6 weeks 3 beloved family members passed away. She dreamed it again, and dreamed about how to bloom again. She has learned how to think outside the box and encouraged us all to dream it again!

Meeting ended at 7:15p