Serving Boone, Blowing Rock, Banner Elk, and other towns of the North Carolina High Country | Founded 05-05-05

June 5, 2008 issue

Extreme Downtown Makeover or Minor Touchup?

Strategic Retail Evaluation Set for Blowing Rock Downtown

The Town of Blowing Rock Tourism Development Authority has hired HyettPalma, Inc., of Alexandria, Va. to evaluate the existing retail market conditions in downtown Blowing Rock and make recommendations for long-term enhancements and improvements.

“This evaluation will benefit all the citizens of Blowing Rock and those who visit us in the future. It’s important to note that this important economic development tool is being paid for without the expenditure of a single taxpayer dollar,” said TDA Executive Director Tracy Brown.

HyettPalma will receive $25,000 to study the existing downtown retail environment, meet with Blowing Rock officials and stakeholders and subsequently make recommendations for changes and enhancements as appropriate. The process is already underway with data compilation, according to Brown.

“HyettPalma is honored to have been selected to develop a retail strategy for Downtown Blowing Rock. We look forward to helping the business community, residents and town in their efforts to further enhance downtown to better serve year-round and seasonal residents, and a growing visitor market. HyettPalma specializes in the renaissance of downtowns and understands that these are special places in every community—places that add tremendously to the quality of life enjoyed by those who live there or visit,” said Doyle Hyett, chair of HyettPalma.

“The Tourism Development Authority is pleased to assist the Blowing Rock Town Council by retaining HyettPalma,” said Bernie Keele, chair of the Blowing Rock TDA. “Their efforts will aid us in developing the economic data we need to plan the future of tourism and the retail environment in our beautiful mountain village.”

Keith Tester is on both the town council and the TDA board. He and his wife Danielle operate a shop in the village, so they have a commercial interest in the future of downtown Blowing Rock, and he sees the value of the strategic review and recommendations. “Change is inevitable, and the village of Blowing Rock is already experiencing its impact. The look and feel of the village is changing, and at an accelerating pace. We can’t avoid change; our choice is to manage it or let it manage us,” Tester said.

Visits to Blowing Rock and work sessions should start in July, and the strategy development process will culminate three months later with a public presentation to a joint meeting of the town council and TDA board, according to Brown.
For information about HyettPalma, click to hyettpalma.com.