long branch news november 2014 final
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Volume 7
Supported by:
Long Branch Business League Issue 11 November 2014 Long Branch Business League
Join the Business League
Over the last four years the Long Branch Business League, with its Dis-cover Long Branch! initiative, has gradually built a more exciting im-age for Long Branch commerce. We brought the community the suc-cessful Super-Block Party last May; we started a Salsa Night series this September and we have helped install art work.
What is more, the Business League's newsletter keeps you up-to-date on important events, local business news, and business tips.
What are the benefits to you of membership? Preferred access to store design improvements Assistance with marketing and business planning Help with Enterprise Zone tax credit applications Greater visibility in business league marketing materials
And with big changes coming to our area because of the Purple Line, now more than ever we need to stand together to make sure all of us benefit from the expanded customer base the Purple Line will bring.
Making Long Branch successful for everyone.
Carlos Perozo, President Long Branch Business Leagues [email protected]. 301-587-4829 or 301 812-4141
IN THIS ISSUE
Profile of Ilana Kramer
Page 1
La historia de Ilana Kramer
Page 2
Design firm visiting Long Branch
Page 2
Marketing tips from experts
Page 3
Euro-style pastries in Long Branch
Page 3
Join the business league!
Page 4
Resources
Page 4
Resources:
Small Business Development Center
SBDC provides counseling and classes. Coun-
selors speak Spanish and other languages.
301-403-0501x11
7100 Baltimore Ave, Suite 303,
College Park, MD 20740
Enterprise Zone Tax Credit Program
Access to County tax credits for real estate
improvements and employee hiring.
Mr. Pete McGinnity
240-777-8126
Montgomery County Council
240-777-7900
Department of Permitting
Responsible for all permits to make property
improvements and signage.
permittingservices.montgomerycountymd.gov
240-777-0311
DED’s Small & Minority Business Empowerment
Resources and training for small businesses.
Judith Stephenson
240-777-2012
Montgomery County Police
Non-emergency dispatch for Long Branch:
301 279-8000
All emergencies: 911
Montgomery County (All other services)
For all Montgomery County services there
is now a single number you can call, this
includes bulk trash pickup
(5 requests annually)
311 (English)
311 + 1 (Español)
Department of Liquor Control
DLC licenses and regulates businesses that
sell alcohol, and provides education and
assistance to businesses and their
employees.
Emily DeTitta
240-777-1904
Long Branch Business League Gathering
Tuesday, November 4 from 10:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.
El Golfo Restaurant, 8739 Flower Avenue
Guest Speaker: STREETSENSE (design and retail strategy firm)
NOTE: All League Meetings are Free!
Long Branch Business News, a monthly publication , Paul Grenier, Editor 301-622-2400, x 41 [email protected]
From Downtown to our Town: A profile of Ilana Kramer
Last summer Ilana Kramer decided it was time
to take the plunge and find a place to open her
immigration law firm. Since Kramer lives in
Gaithersburg, that seemed the logical place to
look. However, she chose Long Branch.
Here’s why. “The community was so warm;
there was all this artwork, people walking
around. It seemed so much warmer than other
parts of the County – that’s what drew me in,”
said Kramer. And when local restaurants quickly
learned her food preferences and offered them
to her before she could even remind them, she
was hooked.
So this August, Kramer opened the Kramer Immigration Firm above ZP Tax
on Flower Avenue. The office is freshly painted yellow and has new furniture.
As far as we know, hers is the only immigration law firm currently practicing
in Long Branch. She brings to the position an impressive background.
Kramer graduated from University of Maryland ‘cum laude’ (with honors)
having studied philosophy and English literature. She then studied at New
York University School of Law (ranked no. 5 in the nation by U.S. News and
World Report) where she was an editor on the Review on Law and Social
Change.
After law school, for the next eight years Kramer worked in securities
litigation, first in New York, then in D.C.
Ilana KRAMER
(See Kramer, page 2
(Kramer, from page 1)
3 2
Why the move from securities
law to immigration?
“I’m more interested in people
than in corporations,” said
Kramer, who admits to being a
fan of the novels of Jane
Austen.
Kramer’s interest in
immigration law is not quite as
unexpected a change as it may
seem. She worked for a time at
a legal clinic (PACE Women’s
Justice Center) supporting
victims of domestic violence in
Yonkers, N.Y. Many of her
clients were Spanish-speaking
She also minored in Spanish in
college, spent a summer in
Madrid. “I feel comfortable
talking to my clients in Span-
ish,” Kramer said. “Like most
people, I am motivated by
helping people,” she added.
Kramer has no doubts about
being the right person to help
immigrants with difficult
problems to solve: “You’re
dealing with someone who
does their homework,” she
said.
Meet Streetsense, Nov. 4!
Streetsense, a top architectural
design and strategy firm, will
lead our regular meeting Nov.
4 (see front page for details).
Streetsense’s team of speakers
is to include Priya Bettadapur,
their Vibrant Streets program
manager and Jim McCandless,
director of retail.
El camino a nuestra comunidad—la historia de
Ilana Kramer El verano pasado Ilana Kramer decidió que ya era tiempo de buscar un
hogar para abrir su nueva oficina de abogados de inmigración,
especializada en las leyes de inmigración. Siendo residente de
Gaithersburg lo lógico era abrir su oficina allí. Sin embargo escogió la
comunidad de Long Branch; y esta es la razón.
“La comunidad es muy amistosa; hay muchos murales de arte, y gente
caminando tranquilamente. Se sentía mucho más acogedora que otras
partes del condado, eso fue lo que me atrajo,” dijo Kramer. Cuando
restaurantes locales empezaron a prepararle su comida a su gusto aun
antes de ella solicitarlo, ella decidió que era el lugar perfecto para ella.
En agosto, Kramer abrió las puertas de su oficina Kramer Immigration
Firm localizado en el segundo piso de la oficina de ZP Tax en la Flower
Avenue. La oficina esta recientemente pintada en amarillo y tiene nuevo
mobilario.
Tiene una experiencia impresionante. Kramer se graduó de la
Universidad de Maryland ‘cum laude’ (con altos honores académicos) en
filosofía y literatura de inglés. Después estudio leyes en la Universidad
de New York Escuela de Derechos (clasificado quinta en la nación por
U.S. News y World Report) donde fue editora de Review on Law and
Social Change.
Después de estudiar derechos, Kramer trabajó por ocho años en litigios
de valores, primero en New York y después en Washington D.C.
¿Por qué escogió leyes de inmigración? “Estoy más interesada en la
gente que en las corporaciones,” dice Kramer, quien admite ser una
fanática de las novelas de Jane Austen.
Aunque es un cambio, no es un cambio tan inesperado para Kramer. Una
vez trabajó en una clínica de derechos (PACE Women’s Justice Center)
apoyando a víctimas de violencia doméstica en Yonkers, NY. Muchos de
los clientes eran de habla español.
También estudió español en la universidad, pasó un verano estudiando en
Madrid, España. “Me siento cómoda hablando español con mis clientes,”
dice Kramer. “Como mucha gente, estoy motivada por ayudar a la
gente,” explicó Kramer.
Kramer no tiene ninguna duda que es la persona ideal para resolver
problemas difíciles y ayudar a los inmigrantes. “Estas hablando con
alguien que hace su tarea,” explica Kramer.” [Información de contacto:
Marketing Tips for Long Branch Businesses
On October 7 a large audience of Long Branch
businesses and visitors gathered at la Pasion Bakery to
hear marketing tips from consultants Edith Yanez and
Wendy Coulton. Here are the hi-lights, beginning with
some tips from Coulton.
Smile: Marketing starts with the smile your
customers see on the faces of your staff as soon as
they walk through your door. “It’s important to
keep the people working for you happy so that they
can do a friendly job,” Coulton said. “Someone in
need of a cup of coffee would love to see someone
with a kind smile on their face!”
Plan success: It’s not enough to hang up a sign and
expect success. “You need to know exactly who
your future customer will be, and have a plan for
how you are going to get to meet them.”
Be unique: Competition from similar businesses is
best overcome by creating your own identity, in
other words, by branding. “Uniqueness is what
makes it work.” Everything in the store should be
unique, specific, and colorful. “Make sure your dis-
plays are eye-catching,” Coulton added. “If you sell
cakes, consider putting them in the front window!”
Edith Yanez stressed that marketing is not a choice, it is
a necessity. “That’s why big companies are always
investing in marketing.” She also urged cooperating
with neighboring businesses.
Network: “Let people in other stores know what
you are doing!” Share your discount ads. While
waiting for their computer to get fixed at Cyber
Web, they could be going to your store!
Smart phones — are widely used in Long Branch, so
be sure to put your website and phone number on
your window, where customers can see them.
Keep in touch: Reward programs can be effective
because they encourage repeat customers. With
associated software, they can also provide a wealth
of useful information. For example, letting a
restaurant or bakery know when a customer has a
celebration coming up, allowing you to send a gift
card a few weeks in advance.
One of many European-style cakes available at the new
‘la Pasion’ bakery (8484 Piney Branch Rd.)
University of Maryland dancers at the Long Branch
Flower Fiesta and ‘Placeholders’ dance event this
September