Downtown Strategies provided validation and legitimacy to what we were trying to accomplish. The team really helped create focus. I do not know where we would be without the Strategic Plan. Seeing the implementation of the Strategic Plan has helped us to hit goals from our own Comprehensive Plan.

“Lake County EDC believes in securing and supporting our small businesses through retention, creation, expansion, and attraction. Our partnership with Retail Strategies fulfills these initiatives by providing direct consulting and deliverables.”

Retail Strategies has been outstanding to work with. Their combined strategy of webinars and one-on-one sessions was ideal in offering valuable information and invaluable personalized service to our small businesses.

“The new Entertainment District is two streets and encompasses 6-8 blocks - we started small. In the ordinance, we wrote to allow for changes in the future so that we can expand it and add businesses to it. Currently, it covers three venues and when people purchase a drink within the Entertainment District, they’re allowed to walk around with their drinks while staying in the district. People are walking up and down the streets hanging out. It has helped the businesses that don’t serve alcohol. It’s already creating more foot traffic downtown.”