Rosslanders!
I am curious about a few things, and was hoping for input from the lovely people who live here.
Regarding our downtown core:
What do you think is awesome about our downtown? Which businesses do you love? Where do you like to shop? What do you like about what our businesses offer?
What is missing from our downtown? What would you like to see downtown, business-wise, that isn't there?
Do you know that we have local shops located from the far east end of Columbia (Columbia + Park intersection), down to the Miner's Hall, and up to 2nd avenue?
I am excited to hear about people's experiences regarding the downtown business vibe in our little mountain town!
Town: Rossland, BC
I've sometimes thought it would be cool to have a gaming cafe. Somewhere with high end gaming computers where people could play games in teams or competitively. But other games types of games too.
Also, I've always thought a maker space would be cool. A place where people could learn to make things together and use equipment that they may not be able to justify purchasing and owning themselves.
I love all the unique stores we have, my favourites are the Goldrush Bookstore (& Fools Gold ice cream), Sister Sister Mercantile, Alpine Grind, Mountain Nugget, Bear Country Kitchen... honestly, I could keep going!!
The one thing I miss is Red Mountain market! I know we have the Rooted Table, which is amazing, I just wish there was a little more there like bulk goods.
board game cafe
I vote arcade.
Board game cafe is a fun idea!!
parking!!!! and lots of it
A park'n ride. either to the ski hill or car pooling, a park'n ride location in Rossland is definitely missing (Especially if we are a "green" city)
@Bentobox: what's missing is parking at the ski hill. Parking is the number one reason I stopped buying a pass for the ski hill after more than 20 years of doing so. It'll be even worse this winter. But I think that is going off topic.
Interesting re:parking. Agreed parking is problematic at times. I wonder regarding the park and ride / carpool idea, if it's initiative that is missing? There is a parking lot behind NDCU, beside cold beer and at the museum that could all work for that idea - I wonder if people already use these spaces for that? Or do you think there needs to be signs up suggesting to use these spaces for carpooling in order for people to do that?
Rossland is also a small town. Surely people are leaving their cars at home and jumping in to carpool with someone? Or walking to a shuttle?
Hmmm.
I'd vote for a date night, sweet treats, specialty coffee, board games kind of place.
Board game cafe and Arcade would be really fun!
Thanks for the feedback greenpea :) All of those shops you listed are amazing, we love them all too!
Adding bulk options to our shop has been on our horizen for awhile, the issue is that it is very, very expensive to start - the upfront investment to purchase bulk is huge. And based on our experience, there is not enough interest here in Rossland to support that investment :( Space is also an issue. We have already outgrown our space, and there are no commercial options available in town to expand. We would love to offer bulk options though, and at times have bulk spices/herbs and teas, and will have Mint Cleaning product refills available in the Fall.
parking
I love all of our stores!
My wishlist: Board game cafe
Bowling
Car Wash
And more than anything, a maker space! Many of us don't have the room in our apartment/houses to do things like painting, woodwork, sewing, repairing. If we had a couple of knowledgeable people in residence to help out, even better. That would be the BEST.
CAR WASH!!!!
A payphone! For kids who's parents arent interested in giving them a cell phone in the next 20 years but still need an option to touch base!
Wants vs needs. While it's not a small biz idea we could use a small RCMP detachment, a satellite station in conjunction with the Trail detachment.
A veterinarian?
Payphone - that is a fantastic idea! We are not interested in our kids having phones either, so this would be handy. I wonder how to go about getting one installed - through the city?
Payphone - that is a fantastic idea! We are not interested in our kids having phones either, so this would be handy. I wonder how to go about getting one installed - through the city?
I'm guessing through phone providers though a request through the city wouldnt hurt
Or at the very least a community use phone where appropriate. Maybe one can be accessible at City Hall to help any skate park/arena/RSS after hours kids contact their parents. But one downtown would be nice too
^^^ Parking, board game cafes, and parking. ^^^
I laughed out loud. When you see people asking for parking you know you're in trouble.
The single biggest contibutor to vibrancy of economy and culture is diversity, and Rossland just doesn't have it. If there existed diversity of culture, thought, ideals, ideas, and ways of life, this thread would not be unneccesary.
But here are some ideas for ya
Vintage shopping — housewares, furniture, clothing
Restaurants — Banh Mi, shawarma, street meat, anything but another burger FFS
Art supplies
A competitve grocer — fish, meats, green grocer market
(monopolies are bad for economic growth but Rossland seems to love them)
Gardening/plant shop/farm supply/landscaping place
Tool rental/swap place
Yes, a car wash
Sewing and fabric place
Clothing — Sister Sister is the only place even trying, and thank you!!!!
The reality is that the majority of Rosslanders want it as quiet, small, and uninhabited as possible. They're happy to drive far and wide to get all the things listed above, drive back home, and enthusiastically badmouth the communities they went to that support the businesses they so dearly rely on. Just embrace your bedroom community for what it is.
Good luck with it all and goodbye.
ACD - What?!
Rossland has had in the past MOST of your SO thoughtful ideas...
I'm confused as to what your issue is with the town?? I mean, clearly you hate it, but I don't get the hate.
Well... as you said... Goodbye!