The Town of Wake Forest will host a Retail 101 Workshop on Thursday, March 31, from 8 to 9:30 a.m. at the Wake Forest Renaissance Centre for the Arts on Brooks Street. The workshop will feature Michael J. Berne of MJB Consulting, who will unravel the secrets behind downtown retail.
Considered to be one of the nation’s leading experts on downtown retail, Berne will explain in language that is clear, accessible and relatively jargon-free the logic and theory that underlies how different kinds of retailers think about site location; what they typically consider, value and seek; and what all of it might mean for the future of Downtown Wake Forest.
Several opportunities for questions and dialogue will be integrated into the presentation, and the PowerPoint document will be provided as a takeaway. Anyone involved with retail in downtown or elsewhere is encouraged to attend, including elected officials, community groups, property owners, merchants, non-retail developers and brokers.
The workshop is free, and a light breakfast will be served. Attendees are strongly urged to pre-register online at www.wakeforestnc.gov/renaissance-plan-update.aspx.
The Retail 101 Workshop is part of the town’s current effort to update the Renaissance Plan for the Heart of Wake Forest. Originally adopted in 2004, the plan set forth a vision for the re-invigoration of the downtown area. Over the past 12 years several key public and private investments have occurred resulting in a renewed vibrancy for downtown Wake Forest.
In order to assist the town, property owners, merchants, and potential investors, the Renaissance Plan Update will address housing infill, a detailed streetscape plan for all downtown streets, parking strategies, events and marketing strategies and more.
For more information, contact Planning Director Chip Russell at 919-435-9511 or crussell@wakeforestnc.gov.
