My side of the line
Destination Claremont

By Rebecca JamesCourie
Editor-in-Chief

During the winter holidays, the city of Claremont and the Claremont Chamber of Commerce joined forces and created a whirlwind marketing campaign that had our heads spinning.  Rolling billboards, door hangers, special “Shop Claremont” stickers, newspaper ads and cable commercials generated such activity that, for those who didn’t know too much about Claremont, got their interest peaked.

This marketing campaign, albeit short-lived, was a wake-up call.  If we are to make Claremont a destination location, there are some changes to be made, and many Claremont businesses will have to step up to the plate and make changes as well.  One of which will be to review their hours of business.  Yes, it’s their business and they’ve worked hard at being successful.  But, now it’s time to be successful collectively. 

There’s nothing like generating interest in a town which rolls up its streets at 5 p.m.  What are we doing?  Inviting people to visit our town and window shop?  It reminds me of a monologue comedian Bill Cosby did about when his coach would get the football team riled up:

“Many coaches have different ways of ‘getting them up’ with a pep talk.  Our coach came to us and said, ‘We are out here to win and we really want to win because we want to win.  You guys want to win?’ And we said, ‘Yeah coach.’ He said, ‘Alright, then start acting like it. Let me hear you say KILL! ‘KILL!’ ‘Let me hear you say FIGHT! ‘FIGHT!’ ‘Let me hear you say WE WANNA WIN!’ ‘WE WANNA WIN!’ And we started tearing up lockers, ripping up papers, busting up benches and yelled, ‘WE’RE READY COACH!’ And he said, ‘YOU READY?!’ ‘YEAH, WE’RE READY!’ ‘OKAY, LET ME HEAR YOU SAY FIGHT!’ ‘FIGHT!’ ‘OKAY, GO OUT AND GET ‘EM!’ And we rushed the door . . . . and the door was locked.”

On Wednesday, March 19 at 8 a.m., the public is invited to come to the DoubleTree Hotel and give their input on ways to fund an ongoing marketing campaign for the city of Claremont.  We’ll discuss the feasibility of placing a ballot measure asking Claremont voters to provide a continuing funding source for marketing the community (the chamber already has something in mind) and to suggest that businesses adjust their hours of operation.      

The future of Claremont is in your hands.  Let’s not be like the coach who riled up his team only to have them smash into a closed door. Let’s welcome the shoppers generated by the campaign.  Let’s give Victoria Gardens a run for their money.  Let’s take pride in what we have to offer and let’s make Claremont a destination location.  Come to the meeting.