I have learned that this town is a village in and of itself. There is more community spirit here than any other place I've experienced. I was able to learn and enjoy Kirkland by taking time in the office to talk to local diners as they came into the office after the dinner hour and tourists from around the world.
As are most businesses, the downtown Kirkland merchants are looking for that key to success, and trying to understand the market trends. Success is achieved through dedication to meeting the public's needs. It has been found that more than 70 percent of people who shop retail, do so after 4 p.m. OUR lights are on at night to cater to all those who come downtown to experience dining, shopping and evening events.
As an established business in Kirkland, we [Hallmark Realty] realize we have to be aware of the ebb and flow of downtown Kirkland. As a business we obtain our clientele through referrals, advertising, marketing materials and Web sites, and enjoy a large amount of clientele through walk-in traffic.
We have found it very important to stay open until 8:30 p.m. - a time when most of the people are experiencing downtown Kirkland. The evening hours give our agents the opportunity to meet and serve a larger number of clients. As such, our agents are available to welcome both new and past clients.
A vast number of people stop in after 5 p.m. to ask our advice on a good place to shop, dine, etc. We have met clients just from engaging in pleasant post-work hours conversations such as these. Wouldn't it be beneficial to both patrons and businesses alike to take advantage of these evening hours?
Kirkland offers a unique experience for residents and visitors alike. As custodians of your lakeside community, there is a responsibility to make ourselves available to all patrons.
Over the past eight years, I have seen many businesses come and go. Now, as I work with the new businesses looking to locate downtown, I stress the importance of knowing their market and client base, having a business plan, having enough capital to carry them at least one year, and most importantly, staying open during the busy hours of 4 and 8 p.m.
The key is for all of us to be open, so people know they can have dinner and shop. Downtown Kirkland is a great place and it's important that we offer the patrons an enjoyable, fun experience. We all need to understand that even though we have busy schedules, as retailers it is our job to be open when the public is available to shop.
I care about Kirkland's success, and I hope that we can all make the commitment to serving our patrons by being OPEN FOR BUSINESS in the evening, so they can appreciate the dining and shopping experience that only downtown Kirkland can offer.
Bonnie Lindberg is an associate broker at Hallmark Realty in downtown Kirkland and chair of economic development for the Kirkland Downtown Association.[[In-content Ad]]
