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As development emerged on West Osage and civic groups began to promote renewal of Old Town Pacific, merchants in Pacific Plaza say their shopping district is losing ground as a hometown shopping venue.
Recently the merchants began to look for ways to remind citizens that the Plaza is still there.
"With all the hoopla over the new ramps at the west end of town, we could lose even more ground if we don't do something," said Mike Bagwell, who manages NAPA Auto Parts.
Nine shops are represented in the new merchant group that has yet to give itself an official name. They include Pacific Feeds, NAPA Auto Parts, The Current newspaper, Rent-a-Center, Seeds of Faith Bookstore, Bob's Barber Shop, Pit Shop smoke shop and Pay Day Loans.
Cherie Francois, who owns one of the larger buildings in the Plaza, suggested that merchants plan a series of events to attract residents to the strip mall.
She started last Christmas by organizing a Christmas on the Plaza event. Merchants offered free gift wrapping, a lighting contest and sale items - and Santa Claus visited all the stores.
"She's helping us organize some activities," Bagwell said. "Her participation has really helped us."
Bagwell and other merchants met in the Rent-a-Center conference room to throw out promotional ideas.
On Saturday, July 25, the mall will hold an outdoor flea market along the outer row of its parking lot. Roger Winning, Rent-a-Center manager, will assign booth spaces.
On Saturday, Aug. 22, the Plaza will host a barbecue fundraiser to benefit Guy Kircher, longtime barber at Bob's Barber Shop, who suffers from cancer. Bob Cox is planning the benefit.
Bagwell said the primary reason for the series of outdoor activities is to attract shoppers to the east end of town.
"We have two goals," Bagwell said. "We want to try to draw people to this end of town and we want to organize some things that give back to the community."
