Downtown Boulder featured in New York Magazine

Downtown Boulder, Amante's Coffee, and Boulder Creek were some of the great photographs featured in New York Magazine's article titled "25 Square Miles Surrounded by Reality". The spread also included the following downtown businesses in its Travel Essentials section; Black Cat, The St. Julien, The Boulder Dushanbe Teahouse, The Kitchen, La Atelier, Sunflower, Common Threads, Two Hands Paperie, Six Persimmons Apothecary, and our Farmers' Market in its Travel Essentials section. Click on the image below to view the entire article.

Pedestrian Shops to go solar

From today's Daily Camera, " Local shoe seller the Pedestrian Shops, under the name of Pedestrian Energy, announced it recently began operating a solar system that the company says will generate almost 50 percent of the power necessary to run its 1425 Pearl St. store."

Click here to see the entire article.

Boulder is a Best Green Place

Boulder makes the list coming in at number 5 for Country Home magazine's "Best Green Places". It also ranked number one in the "Best Organic Food Supply" category.

Click here for the Country Home website

Yellow Cab's Enviromental Friendly Cabs

Boulder's Yellow Cab company has added two Prius hybrids and two propane-powered cabs to it's fleet of vehicles. Click here for the BCBR article

Downtown Boulder Newsletter

NEWS YOU CAN USE

To skip to a specific news item, use the links below! To read them all, just scroll on down.

• New Website Pages
• Downtown's Best People Watching
• Carriage House Art Gallery Opening
• Earth Hour
• Kidlinks Golf Tournament
• Website Survey Results
• Parking Pay station Q & A
• Website Tips and Tricks
• Spotlight On: Kathy & Robin Beeck of BIFF

New Website Pages
We have a couple of great new web pages for the community to enjoy at boulderdowntown.com. The first is our Happy Hour Page, housing a comprehensive list of Downtown Boulder happy hours in one convenient location, which can also be downloaded as a PDF.

The other newbie is our Sales and Promotions Page. This page features the latest in sales and promotions in downtown and is updated weekly. If your store would like to be added, please email us. We encourage you to check out both of these stellar debuts.

Win $50 Downtown Boulder Gift Card
Did you know that hanging out and people watching is the number one activity in Downtown Boulder? For the inaugural issue of our new magazine: "Downtown- Local Shops Local Stories" we would like to know where you people watch Downtown. Vote for your choice by clicking here. Respondents will be entered into a drawing for a $50 DBI Gift Card.

Carriage House Gallery Opening @ Zing Salon
The Carriage House Homeless Community Center invites you to its first gallery opening of selected work by our homeless artists. Entertainment will be provided by Holly and the Husbands and refreshments will be served. All proceeds from sales of artwork will benefit artists and programs at Carriage House. Location: Zing Salon, Friday, March 28th, 7:30pm - 9:30 pm www.bouldercarriagehouse.org

Earth Hour
Earth Hour is an international event to raise awareness about energy use. From 8-9 pm on March 29th, cities across the world will participate by turning off lights for one hour in buildings, homes and restaurants. For more information visit www.earthhour.org

KidLinks Golf Tournament
Help Downtown send special kids to summer camp by participating in the KidLinks Golf Tournament on Wednesday, May 21st at Lake Valley Golf Club.
Downtown businesses can play in the tournament or participate by contributing prizes. To donate a prize or for more information, contact Renae Foxhoven (renae@dbi.org)

Website Survey Results
Thank you to the 683 persons that took our recent online survey rating the Downtown Boulder website. The results showed that 70% primarily use the site for event information and 39% visit for shopping/dining information. When asked satisfaction with the website on a scale of 1 to 5 (1=”Very Unsatisfied”/5=”Very Satisfied”), the average score was 4.1.

Downtown Boulder would also like to congratulate Ellen Buckley of Westminster on winning the $150 gift card drawing of those that took the survey.

Parking Paystation Q & A

Q: What happens if a pay station doesn’t work?

A: The pay stations communicate with the parking division employees to report a problem. The problem will be corrected quickly, but until it is fixed, it is your responsibility to pay another nearby unit.

If you have a specific question you would like answered send an email to parking@dbi.org.

Website Tips and Tricks
Did You Know…

We have a comprehensive section on starting a business in Boulder?

Try it...

1. Go to www.boulderdowntown.com
   
2. Click on the “biz” icon (shaking hands, 4th row, 2nd column)
   
3. On left side, click on “Resource Guide” button

Use the links to navigate and find a wealth of information on starting a business in Boulder!

NEW MEMBERS

Easytrack Payroll
Contact: Brian Senjem
4247 Prado Drive | (303) 618-7287
State-of-the-art web based payroll service specifically designed for small businesses with 1-50 employees. Taxes filed for you, direct deposit, Quickbooks import, email reminders, employee online access to paystubs, MBA business quality support, and more.
www.easytrackpayroll.com

prAna
Contact: Kat Guay
1147 Pearl St. | (303) 449-2199
With deep roots in rock climbing and yoga, prAna designs include performance and lifestyle apparel. PrAna is truly unique in its ability to blend purposeful fabrics and features with contemporary style, creating genuine versatility. PrAna is also known for its contributions to sustainable business practices including use of renewable energy and integration of organic and recycled materials.
www.prana.com

Oliv Me & You
Contact: Patti Scott & Jodi Spencer
2043 Broadway| (303) 444-1118
Specializing in Olive Oils from around the world as well as fine foods and gifts. Serving espresso drinks, teas, patries, and ciabattas. Come in and enjoy a European experience right here in Boulder.

SPOTLIGHT ON

BIFF and the Beeck Sisters

As the founders of the Boulder International Film Festival, which just completed it's fourth season in Downtown Boulder, Kathy and Robin Beeck have worked hard to see their dream become the successful reality it is today.

The sisters, who spent their youth dispensing popcorn and movie tickets at now bygone theatres here in Boulder, realized that the silver screen was in their blood. After both spent time in the corporate world, they made the switch to cinema with the documentary "Grandpa's In the Tuff Shed" in 1998 with Kathy as Producer and Robin as Director. They reprised the theme with 2003's " Grandpa's Still in the Tuff Shed".

In 2005, after more than a year of planning, they brought Downtown Boulder the first Boulder International Film Festival. That first year less than 5,000 people attended and by this year more than 13,200 chose to take in more than 50 films, featuring filmmaker Q&A's and the popular opening and closing night galas.

Festival Director Kathy Beeck remarked that "Being Downtown makes it easy for everyone to access venues and receptions and be able to enjoy all the wonderful facilities." With an increase in audience of 65% over last year's festival, this four year old festival just keeps getting bigger and better!

Downtown Boulder salutes Kathy and Robin Beeck for bringing the world of independent film to Boulder. If you would like to become a sponsor or volunteer with the BIFF, visit their website at www.biff1.com

Spending Up in Downtown Boulder

Click here to read Richard Valenty's very informative Colorado Daily article on the fiscal realities of the 2007 Downtown Boulder survey and spending habits of downtown patrons. Of course if you want to look at the data yourself, click here for the entire survey in PDF form.

Boulder's 3rd Straight Year of Record Bus Ridership

In today's Daily Camera Local Section, learn how Boulder averaged over 31,000 people per day on its buses, up almost 2,000 from last year's total. Click here for the full article.

Downtown Boulder Newletter

News You Can Use

• YWCA Event
• Toofy Film Festival- Call for Entries
• Electronic Gift Cards -- A Success
• Kidlinks Golf Tournament
• Earthwood Grand Opening
• Parking Pay station Q & A
• Website Tips and Tricks
• Spotlight On: 2007 Downtown User Survey

YWCA 16th Annual Hall of Fame Awards
Join the YWCA for an exciting evening as they honor those who help make our community a better place. Saturday March 8, from 6:30 to 10:00 p.m. at the Omni Interlocken Resort. Event will feature a host bar, elegant hors d'oeuvres, seated dinner, live and silent auctions and music by the Rebecca Folsom Band. RSVP by Mar 3rd. www.ywcaboulder.org; 303-443-0419

Toofy Film Festvial- Call for Entries
The Toofy Film Fest takes place at the Boulder Theater Sep 12-14, 2008 and exposes the raw untapped talent that exists in the independent world of
cinema, fashion, art and music. Toofy provides audiences with the freshest independent content available and is now accepting entries. Deadline Apr
8 - www.toofy.com

Electronic Gift Cards -- A Success
Downtown Boulder's electronic gift card has been a success for both customers and merchants. Since transitioning to the program, last February, Downtown Boulder has seen an increase in sales of over 47% ($130K in 2006 vs $192K in 2007).

Merchants are seeing more of that money already. The previous redemption rate was 31%. The electronic cards, which are more convenient, have seen a redemption rate of 52%. This has put over $99,000 in our merchants' pockets. Downtown Boulder thanks its customers for making this program so successful.

KidLinks Golf Tournament
Help Downtown send special kids to summer camp by participating in the KidLinks Golf Tournament on Wednesday, May 21st at Lake Valley Golf Club.
Downtown businesses can play in the tournament or participate by contributing prizes. To donate a prize or for more information, contact Renae Foxhoven (renae@dbi.org)

Earthwood Grand Opening
You are invited to the Grand Opening Celebration at the Earthwood Gallery, Downtown's newest gallery. You will be able to meet many of the gallery's local artists, enjoy refreshments and have a chance to win a free oil painting of the Flatirons by award winning Colorado artist Terri Sanchez. www.earthwoodgallery.com

Parking Paystation Q & A
Now that the solar powered pay stations are up and running there are a few questions that people have. This section addresses these questions.

Q: How do I add time?

A: Adding time is a key difference between the old meters and the new pay stations. One cannot add time to a printed parking stub. There are two tactics to address this issue: 1) Use a credit card to pay and press the “Max” button when purchasing parking or 2) Take the tear-off portion of your parking stub so you know when to return to your car and purchase additional time (note the three hour limit during the week).

If you have a specific question you would like answered send an email to parking@dbi.org.

Website Tips and Tricks
Did You Know …

Downtown Boulder offers leasing information for retail and office real estate listings throughout Downtown with an interactive map?

Try it...

1. Go to www.boulderdowntown.com
   
2. Click on the green “For Lease” icon at the top of the page
   
3. You will see a map of all listings in Downtown. To search by Office or Retail scroll down and select which option you prefer.
   
4. Click on a listing name to view a picture, detailed map, listing info and contact information.

NEW MEMBERS

Bodyworks Bistro
Contact: David Goetz
1100 Spruce St | (303) 440-1992
The Bodywork Bistro, located on 11th and Spruce, Open 10 am - 8 pm daily. Our massage studio and professional team serve up therapeutic clothed chair and table massage designed to fit your schedule. Visit Boulder's answer to the daily grind from the people who have brought you chair massage at Whole Foods for nearly a decade.
www.bodyworkbistro.com

Pedal to Properties
Contact: Chris Sweeney
1113 Spruce St | (303)-381-2525
Residential Real Estate Services offer the added option of viewing properties and neighborhoods by cruiser bike.
www.pedaltoproperties.com

Scentchips Boulder
Contact: Scott and Margaret Brush
1970 13th St | (303)-444-0566
The finest in home fragrances. Our potpourri can last for 140 hours if used in a simmering pot. We sell 72 individual fragrances and hundred of fragrance blends. Over 170 different simmering pots and other gift ideas are available.
www.scentchipscolorado.com

NEW OPENINGS

Patagonia
Contact: Katherine Demsky
1212 Pearl St | 702-749-2387
Building the best products, doing the least harm. Organic cotton sportswear; PCR® fleece and shells; baselayer, insulation and outerwear systems for the whole family.
www.patagonia.com

PrAna
Contact: Kat Guay
1147 Pearl St. | (303)-449-2199
With deep roots in rock climbing and yoga, prAna designs include performance and lifestyle apparel. PrAna is truly unique in its ability to blend purposeful fabrics and features with contemporary style, creating genuine versatility. PrAna is also known for its contributions to sustainable business practices including use of renewable energy and integration of organic and recycled materials.
www.prana.com

Elixir
1915 Broadway
A nightclub that offers a high-end atmosphere with 10 private booths available for reservation, each featuring a flat-screen TV. The booths sit above a central dance floor. The second floor features a lounge atmosphere for drinks and happy hour.

SPOTLIGHT ON

2007 Downtown User Survey
Over 750 interviews related to the Downtown experience were conducted this summer. Since the user survey inception in 1996, people’s perception and experiences in the Downtown Boulder area have remained high and continue to improve, making downtown Boulder a truly special destination for both locals and out-of-towners. The user survey results can be viewed at our website: BoulderDowntown.com.

Here are a few key highlights from the survey:

• Overall, the average amount spent during a visit rose slightly, to an average per person of $51.58, up 0.6 percent from $51.26 a year ago.
  
  
• Average spending was up for shopping and indicates the continued strength of Downtown as both a dining and retail district. This is also supported by the fact that 59% of those surveyed said Downtown Boulder is a “place for both shopping and dining.”

• The Downtown Boulder website is becoming more popular and valuable to Downtown patrons. Twenty-three percent of all downtown users have visited the Downtown Boulder website, up substantially from only 16 percent last summer and 11 percent the summer prior.
  
• The number one reason visitors come to Downtown Boulder is to enjoy the ambiance proving once again that the downtown experience is like none other (over 80% of those surveyed said the experience is improving (43%) or at least remaining the same (39%)).
  
• Satisfaction with the experience continues to remain very high. Of nine attributes rated, none had an average rating of below 4 on a 5-point scale (1="Poor" / 5="Very Good").

Downtown Boulder's 2007 User Survey Results Available

Downtown Boulder's 2007 User Survey results are now available on our website for download and viewing as PDF files. This annual summer survey includes a wealth of information on demographics, spending habits. and preferences.

Please check out Sunday's Daily Camera article on the Survey.