Website new hub for local business info
Thursday, September 17th, 2009
By: Elizabeth Fiedler
efiedler@whyy.org
If a website launched Wednesday is successful, new businesses could be opening their doors in Philadelphia. In an effort to attract new and expanding businesses to Center City, stakeholders unveiled the site Wednesday at an International Council of Shopping Centers conference in Philadelphia.
Philadelphia-retail-dot-com is designed to serve as a one-stop shop for people thinking about opening a business in the city.
Center City District President Paul Levy says compare Philadelphia to a regional shopping center…
Levy: If you wanted to be in King of Prussia or Cherry Hill there would be one phone number to call to find out everything about the demographics, everything about available space. Obviously we're a much more diverse city. What this website does is give people that equivalent. One place to get all information about demographics, about other retailers, and about available space, and how to finance your business.
When asked if the city's proposed sales tax hike could impede efforts to attract new retailers, Levy said he's not worried because the retail environment is strong and the increase would be temporary.