The Southern Theater: Transition, change, and working with an organization in flux

The Southern Theater: Transition, change, and working with an organization in flux

The historic arch lights of the Southern Theater

One in four businesses on the West Bank is a nonprofit organization, among which are our cornerstone venues: The Cedar Cultural Center, Mixed Blood Theatre, Theatre in the Round, and The Southern Theater.

Specialized business structures, nonprofits of course have a special set of needs as well. This was especially the case with The Southern, a historic venue on the edge of the West Bank district. While they went through a major transition in 2008, The Southern was back …

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Malabari Kitchen – photos so flavorful you can taste them!

Malabari Kitchen – photos so flavorful you can taste them!

Malabari Kitchen

Sometimes our client service projects kick off organically – as it did with Malabari Kitchen. WBBA staff often frequents West Bank restaurants – with such tasty options, how could we not?

While out for lunch one day at Malabari Kitchen, the owner Biju asked if we could recommend anybody to help with some photography. He’s a talented photographer himself, but lacked the time and equipment to capture photos-especially in instances where he was doing the prep work himself. So, WBBA staff came in to help! …

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The Wienery – Video and Marketing Assistance

The Wienery – Video and Marketing Assistance

The Wienery – Video and Marketing Assistance

Pat serving up lunch

 

The Wienery, one of our long-time anchor small businesses, is a success story of our combined programs and marketing assistance. The had recently adjusted their hours to a more sustainable time frame (Sun-Th 11-3, Fri-Sat 11-8). Trouble was, a lot of their regulars were used to their old hours, and they were looking for the best way to notify them.

The West Bank Business Association worked with Wienery staff to craft …

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West Bank Superbowl & Event Planning, Northern Spark, and a big grant opportunity!

West Bank Superbowl & Event Planning, Northern Spark, and a big grant opportunity!

Save the dates and mark your calendars!

Superbowl 2018! (& other event planning)

The Superbowl Host Committee has lots of plans for downtown MPLS and St Paul – but very little slated for the West Bank neighborhood specifically.

This leaves the local planning up to us! What do you want to do in preparation for the game and events in general? What will our plan be for parking and business promotion? How can WBBA help you get a boost in revenue during a traditionally slow time of the year?

Join …

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Safety Meeting tonight + 2017 Brochures are in! + West Bank Vision coming up

Safety Meeting tonight + 2017 Brochures are in! + West Bank Vision coming up

Save the dates and mark your calendars!

Reminder – this afternoon, May 8th, 4pm! Join us for a happy hour and networking event centered all around safety. Come meet your neighbors and local officers.

In attendance will be:
– Carla Nielson, Crime Prevention Specialist from the Cedar Riverside / West Bank Safety Center
– Officers Kevin Lazarchic and Shaun Harrington – Day Beat Officers;
– Beth Roberts, City of Mpls Licensing.
– Melissa Wisniewski, Securonet (one of the city’s partners on safety networks)

We’ll hear from our local representatives, learn about upcoming meetings …

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West Bank / Cedar – Riverside Call for Art – 2017 Northern Spark & Springboard Pilot

West Bank / Cedar – Riverside Call for Art – 2017 Northern Spark & Springboard Pilot

Share gifts of light, gifts from the earth on the West Bank during the 2017 Northern Spark.

Gifts are nourishment for humanity, and our first night market will focus on the gift economy.

“A gift economy, gift culture, or gift exchange is a mode of exchange where valuables are not traded or sold, but rather given without an explicit agreement for immediate or future rewards.”

Northern Spark is a free all-night art festival exploring the effects of climate change through participatory projects happening in …

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We’re Hiring! Environmental Manager & Advancement Assistant

The West Bank Business Association is hiring for two part-time positions.

The West Bank Environmental Manager will work to support the West Bank as a clean and welcoming district, coordinating clean-ups, trash and graffiti removal, and more.

2017_WestBankEnvironmentalManager

The Advancement Assistant will work with our Executive Director and Program Manager to manage grant and fundraising opportunities for the WBBA and West Bank businesses.

2017_WestBankAdvancementAssistant

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Adventures in Way-finding

Adventures in Way-finding

This is the story of a business association’s quest to put up some signs.

2017_AdventuresInWayfinding_Draft (pdf)

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Fall Outreach / Opportunities for West Bank Businesses

Fall Outreach / Opportunities for West Bank Businesses

Hello awesome West Bank Businesses!

Below please find a summary of some opportunities, events, and meetings of note.

Small Business Saturday is Coming!

Join the On The Green Line marketing team on Nov 26, 2016 for Small Business Saturday! Send info about your promo or event to westbankba@gmail.com by Nov 1 to be included.

Market to Students!

Do you offer a student discount? Would you like us to highlight this in the 2017 area directory, which will be distributed on campus, at student orientations, and …

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2016 Facade Grants – applications now being accepted

The West Bank Business Association is proud to partner with the City of Minneapolis in administering their façade improvement program on the West Bank.

As money becomes available, eligible businesses can apply for matching grants for façade improvements.

***The WBBA is now accepting applications for the 2016 Facade Grant cycle. Applications will be reviewed monthly and accepted on a first-come, first-served basis. If you have any questions, please contact us.

Resources

2016 Business Guidelines: 2016-WBBA_BusinessGuidelines (pdf)
2016 Facade Grant Application: 2016-WBBA_App_and_Agreement (pdf)
2016 Completion Certificate (to be finished after project has been approved and completed): 2016-CompletionCertificate (pdf)

* We highly recommend that …

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