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Business owner: Columbiana needs better planning of community events

COLUMBIANA — The city is bustling with events, but sometimes that can be a problem for local business owners, at least according to Amanda Bowker.

Bowker is co-owner of Pewter Peddler on Main Street and took her concerns to city council last week.

Bowker said the city should be more mindful of the street closures on Main Street and would like to see a community calendar put into place so that events aren’t stacked on top of each other as often.

For example, last weekend alone Columbiana featured the Dying Breeds Diesels truck show, the craft beer festival to raise money for Firestone Park, the Columbiana Fire Department safety day and Christmas in the Woods.

“While the events encourage more business for some shopkeepers it is not always the case for most,” she said.

She noted that “poor planning” of two different events in the city this year cost her store alone “thousands of dollars.”

Those events were the chalk art festival earlier this year and the truck show this past weekend since it was the same weekend as Christmas in the Woods, which usually is beneficial for her business.

“I have spoken to many shop owners and while they are frustrated none were interested in attending the meeting. It is disappointing,” she said. “Personally, I have reached a point where I am beyond frustrated. I believe in our town and I believe in our leadership. I am unsure how we go about fixing the issue at hand.”

Bowker added that she has repeatedly asked that start times for the chamber’s First Friday events be adjusted due to low foot traffic.

“It would allow stores to complete their normal work days without interruption,” she said.

She suggested possibly utilizing Sundays and taking advantage of Firestone Park for events to avoid longtime street closures.

“I am not saying to cancel events, but to make some adjustments,” she said.

Council members listened to her concerns and encouraged her to get feedback from merchants regarding a community calendar.

Bowker said she believed most would participate in a calendar.

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