Minutes - 02-22-12 - Artisan Marketplace at Gene Suttle Plaza Sub-committee

Fillmore / Lower Fillmore Neighborhood Association
ARTISAN MARKETPLACE AT GENE SUTTLE PLAZA SUB-COMMITTEE

MINUTES – February 22nd, 2012 (Draft)


Actions
• Create Marketplace Outline to submit to Gene Suttle Plaza property owners. (Andrea)
• Bring more info on Motion Loft which registers the number of people that walk by. (Andrea)
• Skill set/ Job Description(s) for Market place staff(s). (Helen)
• Schedule follow-up meeting (Jed)
• Draft/Send-out Minutes. (Jed)

Committee Member Agreement
• Goal to establish the Fillmore Artisan Marketplace at Gene Suttle Plaza.
• Create test-market opportunity for micro-businesses.
• Build an effective and organic tool that is profitable for merchants and benefit community.
• Create a place for folks to gather, talk and purchase arts & crafts, music and other exciting merchandize that complement local restaurants and retail stores.
• Yummy food from limited and strategic street vendors/trucks that increase foot traffic for local retail stores and other merchant. Innovated local restaurants and caterers will be encouraged to set up shop at the artisan marketplace.
• The Fillmore Neighborhood Association (FNA) will act as “master tenant” and permit the use of food vendors and artisans for a six month pilot/trial period.
• At the end of the pilot period a determination to make the marketplace permanent and ownership structure will be made. Examples of ownerships structures: the neighborhood association will continue as “master tenant”, collective/cooperative ownership among street vendors; master tenant by local consultants, for-profit biz, non-profit; or collaboration.
• Gene Suttle Plaza is used as a walk way for people going to Safeway and other businesses in the Safeway area; the plaza will be used as a walk-way during operation of the marketplace as well.
• Material translated into several languages and assessable. Create DVD to give to local merchants.
• Priority will be given to local promoters producing events on days of operation.
• We will start small with one day and possible add one more with a maximum of three days per week while constantly building, clear analysis, measuring and adjusting the operation.
• An equitable operation will be maintained.

Test Market
• Entrepreneurs can us the marketplace as a safe and affordable environment to put their product or service out there to see what comes back. Merchants don’t have to invest a whole lot in capital to test their product, service, viability of assumptions and learn valuable lessons.
• Create fee structure that works for both start up and established merchants.
• Arts and Crafts, music and other merchandize are perfect complement for local restaurant and retail stores.
• The Fillmore Farmer’s Market space is for produce and other food and seems to be a good place to test market food trucks and food carts. There may be no need to wait for the artisan marketplace to open to test market food-trucks and food carts at the farmer’s market. They should be contacted soon. Farmer’s Market has a lot more space than Gene Suttle Plaza. Off the Grid can be a model on a smaller scale of one or two.
• Live dance, music and other street performances can be tested, especially creating opportunities for talent of local youth and young people.
• This test market create an opportunity for vendors starting out to see this is something they are really comfortable with. Talking about street vending is one thing and doing is another.
• Partner with upcoming incubator kitchen at West Bay Conference Center by Red Rose Culinary.
• Allow merchants with business plans to test their assumptions.

Vendor Registration
• Start-up street vendors must participate in a 2 week workshop to help put them in a position where they don’t lose money.

Calendar of Events
• Partner and collaborate with local promoters/events including Art Walk, Jazz Festival, Black Ball, Juneteenth, Black Family Day, Salsa on the Fillmore, Reggae in the Fillmore, Kwanza, Mardigras and more.

Who is not here?
• Youth/ Organization Representing Youth
• Residents from Czetos, Heritage Center, Fillmore Center and surrounding community.
• Korean Churches, Chamber of Commerce, Consulate and Organizations. Take advantage of Korean Constitution Week.
• Liz from SF Travel (Standardized their neighborhood map)
• Upper Fillmore (Someone from down here, working with them)
• Arts Organization
• Upper Fillmore

Marketing Themes
• Rock and Roll,
• Youth and Hip Hop
• Build new history around art.
• New Salsa, Jazz, Swing
• Local residents and tourist will come if authentic.

List of Priorities
• Create business outline and list operational plan/needs.
• Plan for garbage, Electrical, related permits,
• Continue discussion with Heritage Center to store carts.

Marketplace Staffing and Consultant(s) / Marketplace Staffing / Consultants and Budget
• Look at job description/list of skills needed to produce and manager artisan marketplace and compare to existing resources, CBOs and other pro-bono services that are currently connected to artisan marketplace. Determine the staffing needs/skills remaining.
• City Officials keep brining in consultants and then they are gone after the job is over and the connections and resources they gain leave with them. Here one day and then they are gone.
• Paid and pro-bono consultants/staff have to know what they are doing?
• $9,000