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'Downtown' becomes 'Home Town'
(by Barbara Christian - May 06, 2009)
WINDOW ON MAIN STREET, BY BARBARA CHRISTIAN
'Downtown' becomes 'Home Town'
Downtown Chagrin Falls board President Lisa Turner got a drum-roll moment at last Friday's annual meeting, when she announced a new name for the hardworking community and business booster organization.
Mrs. Turner said retired ad man and adviser Jim Rucker suggested the group "brand" itself to keep up with the times. That's the new term for giving the organization a name to better describe what the Downtown organizations does. It was thought that the name "Downtown Chagrin Falls" is not inclusive enough and that a new handle should be all encompassing and reflective of the partnership among businesses, merchants and residents in the Chagrin Valley.
It's a tall order, but Mr. Rucker knows of what he speaks. He's the guy who coined the knock-out hit slogan, "With a name like Smucker's, it has to be good." Remember that the next time you see the commercial, because he lives right here in Chagrin Falls.
OK, so here we go. The new name of Downtown Chagrin Falls is -- and as Lisa would say, drum roll, please -- "Your Home Town -- Chagrin Falls."
So what do you think? The new name will receive its first big roll-out in the Blossom Time Parade May 24. Volunteers are needed to help with the project, so get on the bandwagon and on the phone. To be part of the history-making event, call (440) 247-1895. But that's just the first order of business.
Keith Latore, Downtown's vice president, announced that there will be a party to celebrate the new name. It will be on July 11 in conjunction with annual Fine Wines by the Falls wine tasting. And there's a new venue. Instead of Hamlet Hills Atrium, the party will be in the soon-to-open Kraftmaid Experience showroom on North Franklin Street. Building owner Susan Harris White is responsible for the new stage.
Also new this year will be an outdoor beer garden for those who prefer hops to grapes, live entertainment, a raffle for $3,000 toward a new kitchen and food by Fire, the popular restaurant on Shaker Square.
As for that new name, "Your Home Town -- Chagrin Falls": With all due respect to Jim Rucker, isn't it really more of a slogan than a name?
"Your Home Town -- Chagrin Falls" doesn't roll off the tongue easily, and we think it might sound awkward or confusing to say, "Hi, my name is Jane Doe from "Your Home Town -- Chagrin Falls. I'd like to sell you a raffle ticket."
We have a hunch we will all find a shorter way to say it. "Home Town" may be it. As for what a better name, we haven't a clue. We always liked "Downtown Chagrin Falls."
Another great piece of news announced by Home Town's executive director, Nancy Haag, is that the Chagrin Falls Farm Market, beginning its second season June 7, has been recognized as the top Sunday farm market in the country.
Unfortunately, she had no other details or the name of the awarding group. The judges, from wherever, did visit the North Franklin Street market in person, said Donita Anderson, co-founder of North Union Farmer's Market, which includes the Chagrin Falls market. She will get to us with the details.
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