Wanamaker and Franchising
We wanted to talk to Tim Wanamaker about the outcome of the International Franchise Association (IFA) conference at the Pearl Street Brewery on Tuesday. Wanamaker's assistant, Melanie Gregg, promised a call from him on Friday, so we waited.
When the call came in, we remarked on the background noise. Is that traffic? "Actually, I'm in Disney World," Wanamaker said. And then talk turned to the seminar.
"We did it because it's the mission of the BERC to help people open businesses. We've created a relationship with the IFA specific to minority development within the organization," Wanamaker said.
The seminar was designed to look at franchising from two perspectives. The first topic covered the question of how to go about owning a franchise from scratch such as a Domino Pizza, Mac Tools and so on. See a full list here. The second topic covered how to franchise an existing business.
Was Wanamaker satisfied with attendance? "We had 60 people from the Buffalo/Niagara region in attendance, compared to New York City, which had 250. Considering the difference in the size of the cities, the IFA was pleased and so am I," he said. In what he plans to make an annual event, Wanamaker said he didn't get to talk to all of the attendees, but of those he did speak with, he knows three or four will be taking the next steps toward franchising, and he was very pleased with the interest.
And then it was time to ask a few more questions about the Vegas trip. Again, Wanamaker identified two tasks that were the intention of the retail conference. "We wanted to get the word out about our canal side. That is where I think we'll have an opportunity to bring in more retail," he said.
So, what about stores like the Gap, Pottery Barn, and Williams Sonoma? That brought up the second task. "We want to attract commercial business to our older quarters—Main, Jefferson, Hertel, and Seneca," Wanamaker said. How successful those efforts were is yet to be seen.
We couldn't help but ask at the end of the call, "How's the line looking? You must be up front by now, huh?"
"No, still waiting."
"You know you're going to need another three-day vacation when you leave the Enchanted Kingdom, right?"
"That's about right," he laughed.
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Comment Options
chris69
Dear Mr. Wannamaker...you mean to tell me that you spent the funds of BERC, yourself and your staff to attend a retail conference in Disney World of minimum wage highly transient retail jobs!
You sure it wasnt so that the taxpayer could pick up a free vacation for you, your family and your staff?
Come on!!! Buffalo is a logistical city (Warehouses and Transportation), a city of Material Science, of Telecommunication, of Banking and Finance, of Medical Instrumentation, Pharmaceuticals and Healthcare, a city of Power Generation and Distribution, a city of the media (printing, tv, film, documentaries, educational training), etc.
Does the list need to go on?
Any one of the above jobs and industries may not be glamorous enough to be pampered with free retail samples and all day excursions on disney worlds various entertainments...but these are well paying industries with well paying permanent jobs that have a historical relationship with our city.
Frankly Buffalo doesnt need a boost from retail...there is no need to convince them to come here! Our growing canadian customers more than compensates for our declining incomes and population.
The fact that retail jobs are the focus of your attention...after buffal is littered with industrial sites waiting for a new company to move in and redevelop....says to me that your either a self centered political patronage appointment that doesnt know how to do their job....or you are extremely mis-informed about exactly what industries need assistance finding out about the benefits of Buffalo.
As my african american friends would say....Mr. Wannamaker....you deserve 3 slaps and a snap!
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HelenGood
Chris-
Have someone read the post to you--I think you might be what they call an audible learner, which is okay, except that BRO involves some reading and comprehension skills. It's clear from the article that there were two conferences in question: Pearl Street IFA on Tuesday and the former conference in Vegas. C'mon you haunt this site, you should know...oh, wait...the comprehension thing at work again.
The man is on vacation.
And are you suggesting that the Canadians are keeping our retail industry going? Are you referring to the folks who clean the debris out of the parking lots after they buy and purge? You're Canadian, aren't you?
As for industry, we have all you say we do, and we can use retail too. Why would anyone not want that?
African American friends? You're pulling my leg, right? Are you talking about reruns of Fresh Prince?
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HelenWheels
I think that in the past few days Chris69 has proven himself to be a true a-hole. Maybe he needs prozac.
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Chief_Psychic
LMAO Chris69... have your "African American Friends" read your comments from a few days ago about reverting segregation and integration rulings? Do they agree with your diatribe on African-American politicians and streets named in honor of prominent figures in American History? What are their views on your overtly racist comments about community activism and social programs?
You have once again proven that you are an uneducated and ill-informed idiot.
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chris69
what part of "you mean to tell me that you spent the funds of BERC, yourself and your staff to attend a retail conference in Disney World of minimum wage highly transient retail jobs!" didnt you get
retail jobs are worse than call center jobs. Their low paying, their transient and how many retail names have lasted more than 10 years! What happens when that retail store closes or leaves town because of a dip in sales or because their stock isnt fashionable or they cant compete with the internet/walmart...or some such reason.
Im just saying that retail is something ridiculous to chase after...your city either has disposable income and population to support retail or it doesnt..and wooing a retail company to Buffalo is kind of stupid...successful companies arent wooed...they make their decisions off of marketing data and demographics and disposable. Even on the slight chance you convince a company to come...they stay or leave on sales data...which is the same reason they would have chosen or not chosen to come here.
If you want retail....you dont do it in disney world...you do it by luring real industries that pay good salaries so your population is both growing and has high disposable (spendable) income.
And what exactly is wrong with Canadians....without canadians not only would there be half the retail there is now but half the brand name stores too.....nor would you have your cherished regional airport that outserves Rochester with cheaper flights and stimulates your economy. Shall I go on?
I remember when the Canadian dollar was 75cents US but now that you have so screwed up your economy its now descended to parity...and soon...your dollar will be so worthless that your going to love Canadian dollars but by all means....tell us how great Buffalo is and how much you appreciate the patronage of canadians. You know alittle polite gratitude would go along way when serving customers.
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chris69
do you have any idea how many empty strip malls and shopping plazas are empty in Buffalo....with Buffalos declining jobs, declining income and declining population....dont you think your leaders should be smart enough to focus on investment and production....rather than expenses and consumption. Is that to complicated for you? I can explain in simpler terms.
Come on this guy is either incompetent and stupid or he used taxpayer money for an expense paid trip for him, his family and his staff to disneyworld....luring business that shouldnt even be lured to Buffalo.
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chris69
Now that I think of it...Spitzer appointed an economic czar for upstate to be headquartered in Buffalo...and guess what...your economic czar doesnt want anything to do with investing his life living in upstate...hes going to be really convincing selling someplace he himself doesnt believe in....and proof is in the pudding your local economic czar wannamaker doesnt seem to have any better common sense compass!
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Nan-C
Just a suggestion, I have blocked Chris69 and am no longer subjected to his inane babbling. Just hit 'avoid user' and the best part is that I /you don't have to read any foolish responses from him.
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IMADIVA
Nan-C...thanks for the solution to a very annoying problem. It' s one thing to encourage discussion but to be subjected to ignorant "rants" from an indivdual who fails to read and comprehend before "ranting" is downright maddening.
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HelenGood
Chris 69 (you wish)
I knew you were Canadian. It makes me glad that you've begun refering to American/Buffalonians as 'you'. I am happy that it's not we. Your misunderstandings have become tiresome. Your diatribes are pointless. Your inability to separate the facts is just plain crazy. Rant less, read more, and you know that box that says, "What do you think?" It isn't directed toward every uninformed, knee-jerk reaction you have. Think first. That's all we ask.
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chris69
oh my goodness Im being chastised by three women...whatever will I do...
Please .... your women....who probably voted for brown and support the abusive teachers unions. Lets see you must either be on welfare or stay at home moms because atleast professional women would understand the lunacy of spending taxpayer money to attract retail to a city with decling disposable income and declining population though even an uneducated housefrau should understand the difference between production and consumption.....investment and expense.
Let me explain...putting money in the bank where it receives interest would be a form of productivity as an investment. Getting your hair and nails would be a form of consumption or an expense.
retail is low wage, short term, transient, temporary and consumptive....wannamaker would have to be either stupid, incompetent or using taxpayer money for an expense paid trip for him, his family and his staff. The fact that none of you three women understand this explains perfectly why we continue to have such incompetent corrupt local politicians.....women like you vote because you dont understand what whom and what your voting.
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platt4
C69- The conference in Buffalo was on Tuesday, Wannamaker was in Orlando on Friday talking to BR while on vacation. Understand now?
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urbanesque
CHRIS69 IS THE GEICO NEANDERTHAL! This explains his hatred of call center jobs, suburban development, and his inability to assimilate into the modern era. He is sexist and racist, and has yet to evolve to the point that he understands society and culture. It is all about him.
I mean no offense to the Neanderthals by making this comparison.
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HelenWheels
urbanesque, you definitely have a point, but, at least the neanderthals on the Geico commercials make some sense. c69, however, is a neanderthal of the lowest form. Girls, I'm with you - avoid user - on now - as I have done with others on this site.
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ChristaSeychew
I have a silly little notion.
I can't believe that someone out there not only has such ridiculous belief systems, but is also so incapable of reading an article and culling its information correctly that they would then spend the whole weekend ranting about something they mis-read. Add the inability to spell or punctuate correctly on an even semi-regular basis, and I think we've all been had.
I think that chris69 is in fact an angst-riddled teenager with bad skin and an addiction to internet porn. In his eyes, his claim to fame is that he riles folks up on BR as often as he can, working educated adults into frothy-mouthed, all cap diatribes.
Or maybe we're all part of some silly performance art piece dreamed up by an imagination-challenged arts major.
Whatever the case is, I think we should all hit "avoid user" and end his ability to repeatedly divert conversations to build his sad little ego.
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ECB
BRO faithful-
Thanks for putting Chris in his place. When someone llike Tim Wanamaker is gracious enough to call me from his family vacation, I think it speaks well of his dedication to getting the good word out and his devotion to his job. No one should be held up to scorn by someone who fails to comprehend the whole story.
Subjectively speaking, I think Tim Wanamaker is heading the best BERC we've had in some time, and I'm glad he's kept his dealings transparent. I wouldn't want someone like Chris to discourage that transparency.
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dude
Don't be so quick to completely dismiss Chris69's long-winded rants. After filtering through all his bigoted diatribe, he makes some damn fine points, namely that retail does not lead to growth. It's a consumptive activity that feeds of the economic output of REAL industries that pay good salaries. Retail comes when a real economy is established.
With that said, building up a retail destination like Canal-Side is a good idea, it has the potential of being a mini tourist/visitor draw. BUT, thinking we can rebuild an economy just by luring in some big names retailers is plain foolish. If Mr. Wanamaker is foolishly spending his taxpayer-funded time scratching his head on how to lure a Pottery Barn onto Jefferson Ave, then perhaps he isn't best fit to be the Director of Strategic Planning. Perhaps the city should hire a real urban planner next time around....
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ECB
Dude-
From the February '07 print issue of Buffalo Rising Magazine:
Planning is the key for Wanamaker. Born in La Puente, California, in Los Angeles County, Wanamaker attended Virginia Commonwealth University in Richmond, Virginia--both undergraduate and graduate schools--and came away with degrees in Architecture, Urban Studies, Urban and Regional Planning, and Economic Development.
After his architecture and economic development degrees, Wanamaker spent five years gaining experience at Freeman & Morgan, an architectural firm, also in Richmond. But it occurred to him that he wanted to be on the front end of a project…the planning end, and so he went back to VCU for the urban studies and planning degrees. All of which, as one can imagine, helps him in his present-day work for the city.
The first real hands-on experience Wanamaker got was part of his master’s internship with the City of Richmond, in which his immediate superior, seeing the potential in her mature, well-educated intern, allowed him to do staff work. He was nurtured in this development role, which led to permanent employment.
The next step in Wanamaker’s career--one that should be of special interest to Buffalonians--occurred when the director in the Richmond office left in order to take a position as the Neighborhood Economic Development Manager for the city of Baltimore, Maryland. He called on Wanamaker to join him as the Vice President of Local Economic Development, which put him directly on Maryland’s Art Space Project. Buffalo is in the process of building an Artspace residence on Main Street. (www.artspacebuffalo.org)
“I was thrown into it,” Wanamaker said. “The project was log-jammed, and it was my job to move it to fruition.” With no prior knowledge of Art Space, Wanamaker immediately acclimated himself with housing and development and managed the end result of the project. And that is Wanamaker’s forte; the ability to see a project from every angle, from inception to fruition.
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dude
ECB, good for you, you know how to cut and paste something from your own magazine. I'm proud of you.
Academic credentials, however impressive they might be, don't speak for someone's real accomplishments on the job. If he was such a great planner, the city wouldn't still be stuck with a Byzantine zoning code from 1951. I'd rather have someone in charge of city planning that is more concerned with important stuff like zoning codes rather than shallow political posturing crap like "minority development." and luring retail stores into bombed out neighborhoods that 98% of WNY's population is scared shitless of.
When I see Timmy start making real accomplishments, maybe I'll change my mind.
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CKBuffalo
Dude, I think Wanamaker knows hat Pottery Barn will not move to Jefferson, but others will and can provide the needed services in that area. Canal Side isn't a project designed to create jobs. While it is a byproduct of what is being created, it is not the intended result. Creating a retail specific destination will attract others from outside the City of Buffalo and, in turn, brings in new dollars to the area through the sales tax and related spending patterns of the patrons. This is how we get a proper return on our investment.
I agree with you that retail jobs are not great jobs, but the services they offer and the people they bring can help bring back a community.
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