By Michael O’Hearn

michael.ohearn@tryondailybulletin.com

 

Landrum Area Business Association members met Tuesday morning to discuss the events of December as well as look forward to this year’s schedule. The association also elected new board members for the year.

 

Landrum State Farm agent Tiffany Freel was elected to serve as the association’s secretary for a one-year term. Todd Cox will continue to serve as vice president for the board for the next two years.

 

Reflection on the Christmas stroll and parade in December followed on the agenda. President Shawn Evans commented on the events, saying both were “fantastically attended” and that he noticed the restaurants were busy during the time.

 

Comments on these events followed and mixed reactions about the time of the event came forth.

 

Changing the time of the events to either Saturday or Sunday was considered, but issues arose from that proposal, including getting volunteers to show up and parking problems creating chaos around downtown Landrum.

 

The business association ultimately decided to save the discussion of when the next Christmas stroll will be for the next meeting in February.

 

Next on the agenda was discussion of the potential for a car show coming to Landrum sometime at the end of April.

 

According to Evans, this project has been stirring around for a few years and Linda Fitzgerald-Howard, treasurer of the business association, explained she made contact with Upstate Car Shows to get the ball rolling on the event.

 

Evans suggested tying it into the Week of the Horse event held each year by Tryon Equestrian Center, even coming up with the name “Horsepower Weekend” and proposing the prizes for the show’s winners have something to do with horses in each category.

 

The general consensus for the type of event this car show would be pointed toward the event being a “cruise in” show, meaning people could bring their cars to the show and pay a registration fee, maybe $10, according to Evans.

 

Fitzgerald-Howard added to this by stating the offering of food and vendors was suggested to her by the representatives at Upstate Car Shows. She explained to the committee it would be a “great venue to pull everyone in” and a “way for business owners to get together for the event,” citing how the Lion’s Club in Landrum sells hamburgers and hot dogs, for example.

 

Additionally, Fitzgerald-Howard mentioned that the event could be a great way to raise money for Christmas lights at this year’s Christmas stroll and parade.

 

“I can imagine all of Landrum’s storefronts being lit up by Christmas lights,” Fitzgerald-Howard said.

 

Car shows have taken place through Upstate Car Shows in Maggie Valley, Tryon, Greer and Inman, according to Fitzgerald-Howard.

 

“Landrum is the perfect location off of I-26 on Trade Street,” Evans said. “People would come to the town for the car show and linger afterwards, especially if the show is big enough. It would draw people into town and bring them back.”

 

The committee determined the date needs to be set with Upstate Car Shows soon so as to notify people in the area about the upcoming event as well as registration fees and parking spots.

 

The Love Landrum campaign was brought up towards the end of Tuesday morning’s meeting, and will be headed by City Administrator Caitlin Martin Cothran.

 

Stores in Landrum are being asked to decorate their storefronts with hearts to celebrate Valentine’s Day in February and the town. A deadline was decided upon as being Feb. 1 for stores to decorate their windows.

 

A social media campaign for Facebook and Instagram is being initiated by Cothran with the hashtag #lovelandrum. The central theme of the campaign will ask residents and visitors why they love Landrum.

 

“I want people to take selfies with the hearts and tell us why they love Landrum,” Cothran said. “When people meet me and see what I do, they’re like, ‘Oh, I love Landrum,’ and it’s a catchphrase that has caught on.”

 

Cothran said she also wants to include a “Why I Love Landrum” wall similar to Asheville’s “Before I Die” wall in the campaign.

 

Taking place on Feb. 20 is the annual Foothills Chamber of Commerce Business Expo. This year, the expo will take place at Landrum Middle School, transitioning from Polk County High School in the past.

 

“I’ve done it once before,” Evans said. “It’s good to get out there and show your wares and what you’re selling.”

 

The topic of a new gazebo in Landrum was discussed by the committee at the close of the association’s meeting.

 

Evans suggested it be placed more to the center of Trade Street whereas some members, including Patty Otto, owner of The Hare and Hound, suggested it be moved towards the Landrum Depot.

 

“Whatever you decide to do with it, it has to be movable,” Otto said. “Anything can be movable. I don’t expect the town to pay for it and I can spearhead the campaign to fund it, but we need an action plan now.”

 

Fitzgerald-Howard suggested the idea of the Landrum Area Business Association starting a capital campaign for the project, though nothing was set in stone regarding the endeavor.