Bringing Lake Worth into the 21st Century

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On Tuesday the Mod Squad will present Ed Berkhof who will be making a multi-media presentation about bringing Lake Worth into the 21st Century of Marketing--Making our entire town an Internet hot-spot. He has worked for over two years with a team of tech geniuses. Lake Worth will be the first city to be shown the presentation. The MOD says "Each of us will have the opportunity to do on-the-spot marketing to a whole new community."

Come to Brogues Downunder at 9am, April 15. According to the Mod Squad, this meeting is so important that the mayor and the city manager will be present to give their support to this new, untried concept.


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The mod, mod world of Lake Worth

Everyone knows that Ella of Lake Worth jewelers is a jewel!  She just thought of an interesting program:

Joyce at Clay Glass says,
Traveling Coin: Ella would like to kick of a “Traveling Coin” program that starts here in Lake Worth, is recorded on the Internet and sent all over the country and world.  This is yet another way to put Lake Worth on a larger map.

Then there is a Loyalty program being explored by Lea, publicist for the Lake Worth Playhouse: She has been exploring the best “Loyalty Programs” for our merchants and restaurants to participate in. Each Loyalty Program issues a card which is swiped by the merchant

The customer gets a percentage off of the sale (5%)

Each merchant and restaurant is listed on an International network.

Each merchant gets a percentage of the sales made world wide, if we are a part of that network and sales are made in our shops.  We build and earn residuals

Our goal in this town will be 7-10 merchants to start with to make it worth while.  As we grow and benefit, we are certain others will join us.

There will be local maps handed out with participating merchants on them.

The Mod Squad of Lake Worth

MOD Squad meetings Every Tuesday Morning, 9AM at Brogues

April 1st, 9:00AM-- At the April 1 meeting, they will be discussing a comprehensive list of questions and concerns they would like addressed.

April 8th, 9:00AM-- Guest Speakers: William Waters, with Mark Woods of Code Compliance

It's intoxicating

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Get ready for a LOT of beer being sold over this Street Painting festival weekend. If it's an approved city held event you can now walk around with an open container.  This was passed by this commission on September 3, 2013 on a 4/1 vote, McVoy dissenting.

What it says: This Ordinance now allows for the possession and consumption of approved alcoholic beverages at City coordinated events and within the approved event boundaries. Locations to include: Bryant Park, Cultural Plaza, City streets, Beach Complex and other designated City event spaces used in the production of City coordinated events.

It's going to be one heck of a party-time. But the latest City of Lake Worth "rule" is restrictive on those businesses that have licenses to sell alcohol.  They have to ensure that their patrons don't walk out with a go-cup if a not for profit is competing with them at this city sponsored event. Does anyone remember this ever being discussed?

The Mod Squad was told by the city of Lake Worth's Events Coordinator that,

"When a non-profit (501(c)(3) petitions to close a street for events, and that non-profit uses alcohol as part of its fund-raising efforts, the other vendors of alcohol within the business district are prohibited from allowing the sales in their establishments from going into the streets.

To protect yourselves from fines and loss of license, you must post a sign at every exit saying that no alcoholic beverage can be taken from the establishment past the exit.

This, and your vigilance, should protect you from any fines or retribution. Please take the precaution of photographing your signs at each exit as proof of your compliance."

Lake Worth bends over backwards for downtown businesses

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The downtown businesses say they are hurting. The merchants are trying everything within their power and persuasion to attract more business.  They even formed a new downtown merchant's association, the MOD Squad. They already have a political advocate on their side, Commissioner Andy Amoroso, who owns a downtown business. How much more clout can you ask for?  William Waters has already solved the ADA issue but now it's a city owned alley up for grabs. The city has had discussions about closing it in order to provide seating to adjacent restaurants by renting the space. I never see standing room only at CJ's or any restaurant for that matter.

One thing that we do know by this photograph is that this business is in violation of two city ordinances: Right Of Way Permit and Sidewalk Cafe. Before any business gets a special favor, can they at least prove they will  operate within our ordinances first?

Closing all the alleys in the world won't encourage more visitors to our downtown until we get rid of slum, blight and crime along with the homeless who are scattered about, panhandling downtown businesses and their customers.

Meet and Greet Lake Worth Events Planner

Mod Squad Special Meeting

Meet and Greet our new Events Planner for the City of Lake Worth

Dottie Carson

Tuesday, February 18, 9:00 AM

Brogues Down Under

Bring your questions and ideas

Black Friday and small business Saturday in Lake Worth

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HUGE SAVINGS!

Shop downtown Lake Worth

Come on down to Lake Worth's downtown for bargains galore!

The MOD Squad

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Merchants of Downtown : Lake Worth

The MOD Squad

Ten NEW Reasons to Shop Lake Worth

Black Friday and Small Business Saturday

All Day and All Evening 

Friday, November 29 & Saturday, November 30

Small towns often suffer during the holiday season, deserted by the masses for the large malls; lured by glossy ads and non-stop commercials.  The Merchants and Restaurants of Downtown Lake Worth (The MOD Squad) are fighting back.  Downtown Lake Worth vows to take back the crowds with extraordinary wares, great pricing, quality merchandise and exceptional food and entertainment.

Top Ten reasons to shop Downtown Lake Worth on Black Friday and Small Business Saturday:

• You pay local merchant prices rather than the high mark-ups of the malls. Most of shops are mom and pop owned.

• There are unique, one of a kind gifts rather than the mass-produced products one sees coming and going; those gifts that are everywhere and on every commercial. Our gifts stand out as special.

• You will find Artist-run galleries with affordable works of art for the home, the table, to wear and to admire.  Works of art direct from the artist to you.

• Specialty shops abound with gifts from all over the world and gifts made right here in the United States.  Teas, soaps, jewelry, toys, costumes, decorations, chocolates, clothing. Find unusual gifts for your pets as well.

• Forget the food courts with their unhealthy trans-fat foods. Lake Worth has bakeries, café after café and restaurant after restaurant for you to stop into, rest your weary toes and gear up for another round of shopping.

• Stop for a music break on the streets as each corner has local musicians, from folk to blues to jazz to Caribbean drumming.  Have your caricature painted, or watch artists as they create unique works.

• Lake Worth is known for its shops filled with collectables and antiques.  They come in every price range.  For decades folks have been discovering Lake Worth and its unusual antiquing experience.

• Tis the holiday season to wander through an Americana, Old Fashioned town. Window shop, enjoy the competition between shop keepers to make their window the most festive,  see a wonderful movie, visit the theater and feel like you have fallen into a modern day Norman Rockwell painting.

• Parking is ample and free with four hour limits during the day and unlimited late afternoon and evenings.  Bring your treasures to the car and go back for more. Lake Worth has a great Sheriff’s Department patrolling and protecting your purchases.

• Your pockets will have plenty of green protruding when you leave the scene. Use that to take the kids to the beach.

The Merchants of Downtown Lake Worth is a group that meets weekly to make Downtown Lake Worth a welcoming destination for neighbors and visitors alike.  The MOD Squad, as they fondly refer to themselves, organizes block by block bringing activity, unity and camaraderie to the Downtown corridor.  For additional information contact JClay6@aol.com.

The Mod Squad in Lake Worth

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Merchants of Downtown Lake Worth
The MOD Squad

(215)205-9441<
JClay6@aol.com
For Immediate Release
Date: September 27, 2013

Merchants of Downtown : Lake Worth
The MOD Squad Arrives in Lake Worth
A New Merchant Movement in Lake Worth
October and the Mod Squad

In the early days of September, in the back room of Brogue’s Down Under, a new and vital organization emerged in Downtown Lake Worth. Calling themselves Merchants of Downtown (MOD), this MOD Squad hit the ground running. With freshness and enthusiasm this newly formed group has grown week by week, its members bubbling over with enthusiasm and ideas, all geared towards making Downtown Lake Worth an exciting and memorable place that neighbors and visitors will want to return to again and again. Their activities include dancing in the streets and on the sidewalks, music everywhere, block parties and special event gatherings. Mentored and led by Ella Riggs, Lake Worth Jewelers’ and a veteran of decades in downtown Lake Worth, this group is primed and ready. From a seedling group of eight they have quickly grown to over thirty participants, all eager to work together for the good of the community.

The October calendar is crowded. Each week brings additional events to the downtown. All member shops will be up and running for Evenings on the Avenue with goodies to share, musical events at their doors and sales and promotions for everyone coming through the doors. The 700 Block of Lake Avenue is a particularly active MOD Squad location. The Unknown Boutique is filled with unusual and affordable resort wear and Ramon Reyes has taken on the job of Block Captain, helping to organize the wonderful merchants and entertainment. Stop in to see Trinkets and Treasures and the Bees Knees who will be doing back alley yard sales every first Saturday of the month. The Lake Worth Playhouse and the Stonzek Theater have some of the best entertainment in the region.

The Dixie corridor is represented as well. Studio Dance Lake Worth’s dynamo Michael Puccio has offered to bring his dance and music to block parties held, starting in November, every second Friday of the month. Linda Stabile represents her many business allies on the 400 block South of Dixie.

The 600 Block of Lake has some major MOD Squad activists. Ella Riggs of Lake Worth Jeweler’s is vying for the best decorated Halloween Block with huge input from the folks at Brogue’s Down Under. Chad from the Sequel’s Boutique is single handedly, but with the support of the MOD Squad, organizing Girls’ Night out on Thursday, October 10th from 6-10 PM. This is a fundraiser for the Susan G. Komen Foundation.

Lucerne has jumped into the mix with some very special MOD Squad members. Maurici has two businesses in town. On Lucerne his Milton’s Grooming Parlor (for pets) has been very actively bringing wonderful events to the 700 block. With Marianne and Bruce Weber Galleries expect lively and high-end entertainment and events on a regular basis. Maurici’s Salon on the Avenue (500 block of Lake) is also awake and raring to go.

South Shores Tavern is an anchor in town with manager Karine Albano sponsoring every community fund-raiser that comes her way. She will be organizing her block with parties, music and great food.

And then we have the MOD Squad on J Street. With the newest shop, Coconut Planet, The Clay Glass Metal Stone Gallery, Common Ground, Poutine Dog and Coastars not to mention the extravaganzas produced by Propaganda and Bamboo Room, this street really rocks. Elvie Lerner brings the crafts from her native Philippines to her shop, Coconut Planet. She sits in her quaint little shop sewing garments, making jewelry and interacting with all of the new visitors who have found her and are entranced by her wares.

The 800 Block of Lake is waking up and beginning to stir. New merchant Eddy will be moving his shop from Worth Avenue to the anchor shop at the head of the Avenue. He is revved up and raring to go. Michelle from Carousel Antiques is the new block captain and excited to be working with the new restaurants and shops and galleries coming onto this block. Chelsea Lane juggles school and the Wallpaper and design business she and her mother Wendy so successfully run. We are looking for a re-naming, re-branding ceremony for them later this year.

The month of October is full of activity and surprises. Each block is pulling together to make the city shine. Halloween preparations are already underway. Ghouls and Monsters will be the themes of the month. Starting with Evenings on the Avenue, Have a Bloody Good Time at Clay Glass Metal Stone Gallery on Friday, October 4. Girls’ Night out will be celebrated on Thursday, October 10th on L Street. Saturday, October 12 is ARToberFest on J Street. The Full Moon Blood Drive will be held amidst Art, Music and Food at the Clay Glass Metal Stone Gallery on Friday, October 18. A Spirited Tour of Downtown Lake Worth will be held on Saturday, October 19th. The month of activities ends on Saturday, October 26 with the ever popular Monster Mash. For additional information on each of these activities contact JClay6@aol.com.

The Merchants of Downtown is a group that meets weekly to make Downtown Lake Worth a welcoming destination for neighbors and visitors alike. The MOD Squad, as they fondly refer to themselves, organizes block by block bringing activity, unity and camaraderie to the Downtown corridor. For additional information contact JClay6@aol.com.