"Focus on Retail" will be the theme of the Office of Economic Development's second annual Retail Brokers' Presentation on Thursday, January 29 from 2 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. Brokers will learn about the City's key retailing opportunities including upcoming Redevelopment projects, Pacific Commons, and the City's new Downtown project.
Don't be left out of the loop! To reserve your seat, please contact the City of Fremont's Sue Simms via email or at 510-284-4020 by Monday, January 26.
Congratulations to Fremont-based retailer Men's Wearhouse, who was named as one of Fortune Magazine's "100 Best Companies to Work For" for the fourth time in five years.
Fremont businesses can gain visibility preserving important programs for seniors by supporting the City's first annual "Meet Me On Broadway" fundraiser, to be held at the Fremont Marriott on May 20 from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m.
Here's how you can help:
- Sponsor the event. - Donate goods or services for the silent auction. - Purchase ad space in the program. - Buy a table(s) or individual tickets.
Proceeds will benefit City of Fremont programs for tri-cities seniors and their families, including the Senior Center and in-home support services for frail elders. For more information, please contact the City of Fremont's Mary Anne Mendall via email or at 510-574-2062.
Looking to stay on top of Fremont business news and information? Look no further. The Fremont Chamber of Commerce recently launched its "Top of the Week" e-newsletter. Every Monday, the Chamber sends an email to its membership filled with useful information ranging from economic forecasts, to chamber events, to business training seminars information.
If you'd like to subscribe to the Chamber's e-newsletter, please send an email to the Chamber's Napoleon Batalao. Additionally, if you're interested in becoming a member of the Fremont Chamber of Commerce and taking advantage of the many benefits they offer, please visit their website.
As part of the City's efforts to retain and expand existing Fremont businesses, the Office of Economic Development will soon launch a workshop and seminar training series aimed at helping small retail businesses. After surveying small retail businesses on workshop and seminar topics of interest, the top choices include:
1. How a Marketing Strategy Can Make You Money. 2. How to Save Money on Advertising. 3. Retail Merchandising & Customer Service.
Look for upcoming dates and information in future eBiz newsletters for these exciting new workshops and seminars.
Starting a business can be both exciting and challenging. Don't become overwhelmed by the process. Check out the recently published Guide to Doing Business in Fremont brochure - an easy to follow comprehensive reference guide on opening and operating a successful business in Fremont.
Learn about new products and services, meet potential vendors, and make new business connections. This event is free and open to the public. For more information, please call the Chamber of Commerce at 510-795-2244.
The City's First Time Homebuyer Program (FTHB) enables eligible families who live or work in Fremont to purchase their first single-family home, townhouse, or condominium anywhere within the city limits of Fremont. The program provides up to $40,000 in down payment assistance. Interested buyers can meet with City staff to discuss home buying tips and apply for down payment assistance.
Another tool recently developed by the City of Fremont is the Inclusionary Housing Ordinance. This ordinance requires all new residential developments to reserve 15% of the development as affordable and offer it at BMR (below market-rate) prices. Interested purchasers must enroll in the City's First Time Homebuyer Program to be eligible to purchase below market-rate homes.
To enroll in the City's First Time Homebuyer Program, please apply online.
Pacific Commons will open this Fall with over 700,000 square feet of "lifestyle" and "power center" retail space. Kohl's Department Store will anchor the center, along with Lowe's and Costco. The Fremont HUB will also offer a new shopping experience with a more upscale variety of retailers and restaurants. Washington West retail shops, at the corner of Paseo Padre Parkway and Capitol Avenue, will be home to Peet's Coffee, which will open in late Summer, 2004. In addition, a number of new casual dining restaurants are planned, adding approximately 31,000 square feet of new retail and restaurants to Fremont's Downtown.
- Panera Bread Frontega Chicken panini for $6.50 vs. Burger King Chicken Sandwich for $3.50. - Starbucks Vente Latte for $3.45 vs. 7-11 coffee for $ .99. - A BMW 3 series starting at $28,600 vs. a Pontiac for $20,000.
The urge to splurge may be a new retail phenomenon as shoppers are willing to spend more for something they find satisfying. Many consumers are able to afford these luxury products since they are trading down in other categories where they don't make a distinction in quality. Fueling the new luxury trend is the fact that discount stores like Wal-Mart and Target are helping to put a windfall in consumers' pockets by freeing up cash.
According to the experts, you only have a few seconds to capture the attention of the person walking past your storefront. Try to differentiate your store from others and capture customers by creating an ambience and visual appeal unique to your store.
Here is a checklist to create designs and displays that will attract customers:
- Remember the details (clean glass, working light bulbs, etc.). - Use your imagination by adding simple props. - Group merchandising so it's eye-catching. - Nix the unprofessional hand-drawn signs that are taped in place. - Create vignettes or "scenes" and place them in several focal areas throughout the store. - Position mannequins or displays in the store to lead people through.
The City welcomes MMC Technology, a wholly owned subsidiary of Maxtor Corporation and one of the world's largest manufacturers of hard disk drives, to Fremont. MMC Technology currently operates in San Jose and will be adding capacity with a new facility located in the former HMT building visible from I-880 in southern Fremont. This is a great example of a world-class high technology manufacturing firm expanding right here in the Bay Area.
- The Second Annual Ohlone Biotechnology Symposium will be held the evening of Thursday, March 24. All interested students, citizens, and biotech companies are invited to attend and learn how biotechnology evolves from research and development to manufacturing. Biotech companies are also invited to display information about their firms and products. Over 100 people attended last year's event. For more information, please contact Ohlone College's Dr. Ron Quinta via email.
- Attention biotech companies: Would you like training to upgrade the skills of your advanced level workers? Do you need assistance finding enough advanced level workers? If so, you may want to participate in a $3 million grant application from the U.S. Department of Labor. The grant application is being submitted by the Workforce Investment Board in partnership with the Economic Development Alliance for Business (EDAB) and biotech companies. For more information, please contact Alameda County Workforce Investment Board's Mark Mithaiwala via email or at 925-485-5264.
City of Fremont Office of Economic Development 3300 Capitol Avenue, Building A Fremont, CA 94538
Winter 2004
Fremont businesses can gain visibility preserving important programs for seniors by supporting the City's first annual "Meet Me On Broadway" fundraiser, to be held at the Fremont Marriott on May 20 from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. 
As part of the City's efforts to retain and expand existing Fremont businesses, the Office of Economic Development will soon launch a workshop and seminar training series aimed at helping small retail businesses. After surveying small retail businesses on workshop and seminar topics of interest, the top choices include: 
According to the experts, you only have a few seconds to capture the attention of the person walking past your storefront. Try to differentiate your store from others and capture customers by creating an ambience and visual appeal unique to your store. 
