Something's weird on Gilead Road - Carolina Weekly Newspapers

NewsConsultant: Davidsonhas niche for ‘different’Regional market in ‘complete,utter state of flux’by Frank DeLoachefrank@huntersvilleherald.comDAVIDSON – A consultant advisingthe town of Davidson about its brand andmarketing strategy told commissioners“the news is all good” about the town’s futureprospects.Tripp Muldrow, a member of Arnett-Muldrow & Associates, compared Davidson’sreputation to that of Culpepper, Va.;Ocean Springs, Miss.; and other upscalecommunities that would be featured inSouthern Living Magazine.“We’ve been in Southern Living,” CommissionerBrian Jenest observed.“But not enough,” fellow CommissionerMargo Williams quipped.As town board members prepared to begina three-day annual retreat, Muldrowgave commissioners initial findings fromhis firm’s study of local and regional salesand economic data and interviews withDavidson businesses and citizens.“From a marketing position, you’re ina luxurious position,” Muldrow said. “…People want to be in this market.”He noted the town’s primary trade area– residents in Davidson’s zip code and DavidsonCollege students – have a medianincome of $83,714. That’s twice the stateaverage, and Muldrow said he’s workedwith only one other town with a highermedian, located in northern Virginia-suburbanWashington, D.C.At the same time, the larger northernMecklenburg market, stretching fromNorthlake Mall north to Mooresville, isin “a complete and utter state of flux” becauseof the recession. “And the dust reallyhasn’t settled,” he added.But people don’t come to Davidson forbig box stores and retail chains, Muldrowsaid. “What will bring people here is yourniche,” he said. “… You’re unique in theregional market.”Jenest asked Muldrow to define Davidson’sniche, asking if the town was knowas “quaint” or “old.”“You’re different,” Muldrow responded,offering shops and restaurants differentfrom anything else in the area.The town’s small-town setting is “valueadded,” the consultant said.Davidson’s neighbors – Huntersville,Cornelius and Mooresville – comprise itsrich “secondary retail market” with $2.7billion in retail sales, Muldrow said. Sothe town may be wise to build more loyaltyamong residents in those towns who don’tvisit as often as they could. qBLACKLION’S Semi-AnnualRED TAGNow in progress...save up toSouth Charlotte DermatologyWhy WaitMonths?It’s time for your Skin Cancer check!All Skin Issues, New PracticeFrom Acne to Moles to WartsHurry in for the BEST deals!• New items added daily• Up to 70% off Holiday Items• Unbelievable prices on home décorDAvID B. SChulMAN M.D., F.A.A.D.Board Certified DermatologistGeneral Dermatology - Adult and PediatricGraduate of N.Y.U. School of MedicineFormer Clinical Instructor Harvard Medical SchoolWeekday, Evening, Emergency and Saturday Appointments AvailableAetnA | BCBS | Cigna | GHI | Humana | Medcost | Medicare | tricareUnited Healthcare | Wellpath and OthersReasonable fees for non-insured patients704-542-3003 | 10370 Park rd. | CharlotteJust Off I-485, Near CMC-Pineville & The Black LionYour One-Stop Source For Gifts,Decorative Accessories & Furniture!HUNTERSVILLE • I-77, EXIT 25 AT NORTHCROSS SHOPPING CENTER704.895.9539 • www.blacklion.comALSO VISIT US IN CHARLOTTE • 10605 PARK ROAD • 704.541.1148www.huntersvilleherald.com The Herald Weekly • Jan. 15-21, 2010 • Page 5