Name of Community: Farnam Population: 227
Name of Project: New Business
Project Contact Person: Doris Bellamy
Day/Night Phone: 308-569-2320
E-mail: djb2320@yahoo.com
Category: Economic Development
Subcategory: Business Assistance and Development
Annual/Ongoing? Yes
Date Started: Dec 2009
Date Completed: Aug 2010
Volunteer Hours: 320
Number of Volunteers: 7
Nominated for Special Project Awards? Yes
1. Give a brief description of the project.
A long time discussion of finding a way to relieve their homes of unwanted items that had outlasted their usefulness finally came to fruition for two local women.An auction had been discussed, garage sales had been tried, give aways utilized, and yet their objective of successfully de-cluttering had not materialized as they desired. A new idea was to start up a business where they and others could dispose of their 'extras' therefore helping the seller and creating a source for the buyer. The Second Chance Store was created for that purpose in an existing building in the downtown area of town.
2. Identify the planning and implementation of the project.
a) Describe methods used to plan and implement the project3. Describe volunteer involvement in planning and implementing the project.The permission to use the front part of the Incubator building owned by the Farnam Economic Development Corporation was secured. The project was undertaken on December 7th and the store opened it doors for business on December 11th, the day of Farnam's Annual 'Little Town Christmas' celebration. Shelving and tables were in place, merchandise marked and tagged for sale, four vendors had rented 8x8 foot spaces, and the door opened to welcome the soon to be buyers.b) Describe how the project relates to the community's overall goal (including the goals identified by the community on its Intent to Enter form).
Bringing new businesses to town has long been a goal of the community. In the creation of the business, 'The Second Chance Store,' several needs of the people of the community have been met.c) Describe how the project was identified as a priority for the community.
The project was made a priority for the community through the efforts of two local women. The project is a way for local people plus those from away to display their wares and make some money. It also utilizes a building that had been standing empty.
a) Describe how responsibilities were delegated among volunteers.4. Identify Project Outcomes
Volunteers were responsible for securing furniture, ie., shelves, tables, and etc., with the exception of one table or shelf which was provided by the proprietors, for the display of their merchandise.b) Describe how volunteers were recruited for the project.
Several male members of the community volunteered to move eight computer tables left over from the sale of the school auction. They had been stored in the gym area along with several shelving units which they also moved to the building housing the future store.
a) What did the community intend to change as a result of the project5. Describe how resources were identified and used to successfully implement the project.
The community intentions were to change the lack of a business in an existing building. Additional intentions were to provide a service for local people to purchase items they needed economically, provide a place to socialize, and to meet the need to downsize without wastefulness.b) Describe community-wide support behind the project.
The community has shown support by filling eight of the vendor spaces out of the fourteen available. The remaining six have been filled by vendors from five surrounding towns. The members of the community patronize the business and help advertise by word of mouth and distribution of flyers in area towns.c) Describe how the final project impacted the community, including measurable data. (Measurable data includes both qualitative and quantitative information.)
The proprietors feel that their business has had an impact on the community through the economic benefits provided to the vendors, the availability of merchandise locally, and the bringing in of people from areas outside of the community. The proprietors promote other local businesses such as The Three Brothers Vineyard and Winery, The Glass Trap, The Country Blues, The Stock-aid Vet Clinic, and others. The visitors are encouraged to visit these establishments and hopefully help to make Farnam a destination place instead of a place to pass through, thereby increasing the economics, also.
a) Monetary (grants, fund-raising, bonds, etc.)6. Future Plans
None were utilized or needed. The building had been created through a grant utilized to establish an Incubator business building several years ago.b) Materials and supplies (purchased and donated)
Supplies purchased were kept to a minimum to keep down the overhead costs of setting up. Additional shelving, a front desk (both used), some advertising materials, and material for a dividing curtain were purchased and with all other needs being provided by the proprietors.c) Labor (volunteer, in-kind, and paid services)
Volunteer labor consisted of those who moved furniture from the school auction. Additional help is from the local volunteers who come in each day to help with the business. Several are the vendors, others are members of the community who donate their time helping the customer, sorting of donated merchandise, cleaning, and relieving the proprietors when needed.
a) How will the community build upon or follow-up with this project in the future?7. Please describe what aspects (if any) of the project were especially unique or creative.
Members of the community will continue to provide these services as long as feasible and there is a need for such. From the four vendors who rented space for the opening day and the items displayed by the proprietors, the business has grown to a total of fourteen spaces being rented plus the opening of another area by the proprietors for additional room for consignments and more of their salable items.b) What has the community learned from this project that can be applied to future development efforts?
The community has observed that several working together can provide with little or no expense a service to those who are in need of what they have to sell. Believing that a venture such as this can be successful when some said that it wasn't possible, hopefully will give others the confidence to try something new and unique.
Creativity came into play when the two women were able to pull off establishing the new business in four days utilizing the available space and materials at hand. A unique aspect of the project is having some of the elderly of the community coming in to look around, shop, and visit. It provides a service for them when it is difficult to get out of town to shop. Several have also donated items to be sold and the profit of the sales to be used for expenses in operating the business.
 Santa greets the visitors to the Second Chance Store at the grand opening during 'Little Town Christmas' on Dec. 11, 2009  A view of what you see when you walk in the front door....just the beginning of the merchandise available  Mayor Kent Larson visits the store not long after the opening. Many changes made since that day |  (click image to enlarge)  One of the first vendors at the grand opening set for Christmas sales  (click image to enlarge) |
