INDIANAPOLIS — Businesses in downtown Indianapolis are hoping a new campaign will help attract people back inside their stores.
“It’s been a roller coaster ride for sure,” Michael Cranfill said.
Cranfill is the proprietor of The District Tap, which is celebrating one year in downtown Indianapolis.
“It’s been difficult for everyone downtown,” Cranfill said. “Between not having anyone in the skyscrapers, to not having the conventions in town, to no sports traffic, we’re doing about 40% to 45% of what we normally would be doing.”
Outside seating along Georgia Street is helping business at The District Tap, but Cranfill is looking forward to restrictions being lifted in Marion County.
“It would mean so much for us to regain our bar top back, but at least right now we are able to comfortably serve customers,” Cranfill said.
A new campaign launched by Downtown Indy Inc. called “Back Downtown” focuses on helping businesses recover from the pandemic.
According to a press release, the concept serves as a rallying cry that aims to inspire residents to discover downtown again.
Downtown Indy Inc. has created a recovery committee that is being provided $750,000 by the city of Indianapolis to focus on safety and security enhancements to the mile square area of downtown.
“Downtown is the heart of Indianapolis, we are working very hard to get that message across and make sure people know that so when the pandemic is over and people are back in offices, we still have options for them,” Danielle Cooney said.
Cooney is the manager of Soupremacy on Market Street near Monument Circle. Her store relies heavily on employees from downtown offices ordering lunch.
“Before people went home and people were working from home, 85% of our business was lunchtime,” Cooney said.
Now, she says the number has significantly dropped.
“We’re probably doing 15-20% in store, what we were doing at the same time last year,” Cooney said.
Throughout the campaign, Downtown Indy Inc. will feature a different business every week.
Businesses that need your support are listed here.
