Residents gather to share meal, ideas

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CENTER — Center residents gathered along Worth Street Tuesday to enjoy a catered meal and explore pathways to attracting new businesses to the town.
The event was funded by a grant awarded to the town of Center by Downtown Colorado Inc. (DCI). Representatives from DCI, the Department of Local Affairs and Tom Monaco with the Small Business Development Center (SBDC) attended the dinner with fun activities intended to raise business awareness in developing Center’s downtown area.
Center Town Administrator Brian Lujan thanked community members for participating in the event, encouraging them to take an active part in revitalizing Main Street businesses.
“It’s your community, your family,” Lujan said. “Enjoy a family-style dinner, discuss the town’s future and communicate your vision for the town.”
Catherine Correll with Downtown Colorado Inc. told Center residents her organization has been planning the event from behind the scenes for some time.
“There are a lot of places here that with a little bit of love could be beautiful,” she told the crowd. “Think about the future of your children and grandchildren.”
Correll said DCI has identified key vacant buildings and now needs community input on ideas for what businesses would fit the talents of those wishing to start businesses in town. “With community involvement, these dreams can become a reality,” she explained.
Tom Monaco with SBDC asked residents to help him “try to find out what is missing in the town.” He invited suggestions for things potential business owners wish they could do in downtown Center, adding that SBDC offers workshops to help build these businesses.
Monaco introduced two residents who filled out business surveys who suggested the town open an auto body shop and a coffee shop/Wi-Fi cafe where students and neighbors could connect.
Other business ideas included an arcade, gift shop and ice cream shop.
Correll encouraged residents to begin decorating empty buildings with colorful murals by establishing a “facade squad” to enhance the appearance of vacant buildings. A group of Victor residents assembled such a squad and brightened up their entire town, she noted.
A business pitch night for cash prizes will be held in the future, she announced, and this will energize that process.
The community meal was catered by Azteca de Oro Restaurant and dished up by town employees.