SMITH STREET BUSINESS ASSOCIATION RE-INVIGORATED

New leadership and vision for re-emerging Melbourne retail strip
Melbourne, VIC, April 2, 2013 –  Smith Street Business Association is turning the corner into the social universe, according to its new leaders.
We have abandoned this website for the present, but you can follow us on Facebook.  See also the March 2013 story that appeared in the Herald Sun and there was a Radio Interview with Glenn Ridges of 3MP.  

 “We have to come to grips with the social media and promote Smith Street as the centre of retro, vintage, music, history, art, cuisine and all the other essentials of Melbourne”, says Howard Frederick, newly elected President of the Association.  

“Positioned between trendy Abbotsford and yuppie Fitzroy, Smith Street has an image of being a bit more spirited and roguish than its neighbours”, says Frederick. “Smith Street’s edgy vibe has now turned into an alluring hub for all things eclectic”.
“Through social media and e-commerce we want to take the 400 small business traders of Melbourne’s oldest shopping street into the Internet age. The City of Yarra has been very supportive to help jump-start our revival”, he adds.  

Initial efforts will go into repositioning Smith Street’s image as a shopping, dining, and visitor destination by revamping its Facebook and web pages and through workshops for traders about how to maximise their use of social media.  
Encouraged by Tourism Victoria, the group wants to implement a visionary marketing plan developed last year in partnership with the City of Yarra to re-ignite Smith Street’s nous.

Other newly elected leaders of the Association are Dianne Harris as Vice President, and Arthur Papagrigoriou as Secretary. The group spearheads the City of Yarra’s “Smith Street Business Activity Centre” through marketing, promotion, business, and tourism development.  
 “Just a short walk from Parliament Station, Smith Street is a hotbed of innovative retro-vintage fashion and collectibles coupled with international yet homely cuisine landing it on the top of Melbourne’s must-visit list”, Ms Harris says.

“We are dispelling the myths that Smith Street is merely full of outlets. It has great fashion, but the outlets left some time ago”, she adds.
New President is Dr Howard Frederick, honorary professor of entrepreneurship at Deakin University and owner of two businesses in the neighbourhood.  
“This is an exciting challenge to take best-practice lessons into this fertile territory”, he adds.