The document discusses various downtown Modesto businesses, events, and organizations. It provides information about a new salon called Plush Hair Studio, a renovated restaurant called Aqua Lounge & Bistro, a new Pilates studio called Fysique Fitness, and mentions the Modesto Chamber of Commerce and Downtown Improvement District working together to advocate for economic vitality in downtown. It also discusses the Downtown Art Walk event and is seeking sponsors and volunteers.

1. the hi-five questions
Jennifer Williams | owner of Crow Trading Company at 1208 J St.
1 . Why did you choose a
downtown location?
I love the large window displays in a lot of the buildings, including ours. MODESTO DOWNTOWN NEWS
what do i do?
It’s good for business.
p romoting a p os itiv e at mosp he re in the downtown area • provi di ng pots for color m odesto
news from nancy young, executive director of the modesto did
2 . What are the benefits of We get a lot of lunch hour shoppers, as well as people who discover our store
The Downtown Art Walk is an evening The Art Walk committee is looking Kind Sponsors to help finance
being downtown? of fine art, great shops, good food and for business owners who are in the the advertising and increase the
after having to come to the county buildings.
a chance to meet old friends and make D.I.D. that would be interested in awareness of the Art Walk in
new ones. There are galleries which being on the Art Walk committee. Stanislaus County.
3. What is the number one For people to get excited about shopping downtown, and to get rid of the
change you’d like to see feature art at all times, as well as a The Art Walk committee’s goal is to
perception that downtown isn’t safe.
downtown? organize and The Art Walk brochure has been
promote the distributed for the September 2008
4. How would you describe It’s a good mix of owner-operated and larger businesses – it’s really a Art Walk. to February 2009 to participants
the business culture community within the larger Modesto community.
downtown? The Art Walk and sponsors as well as many of
committee the downtown restaurants and
5 . What would you say
“There’s always something exciting going on in downtown Modesto.” is not an coffee houses. If you would like to
should be downtown
Modesto’s motto? official D.I.D. have some of the brochures at your
committee. business, please contact me.
did would like to have your email addresses. Please
please send your email address to
motowndid@sbcglobal.net contact me And last but not least the Art Work
if you are Website www.modestoartwalk.com
interested in is under construction and should
being on the be up and running shortly. We are
committee. also in the process of designing the
The next poster which should be available for
number of shops and restaurants that season of the Art Walk is March to distribution shortly.
mount special displays and host guest August 2009. The new Art Walk
artists during Art Walk. There are applications for participants and
complimentary refreshments offered sponsors will be available in late
or current resident by many of the venues. It is a great January.
time to meet local artists and of course
purchase their work. Hundreds of Sponsorships are available.
people attend the Third Thursday Art The committee would like to
Walk from 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. have Corporate Sponsors or In
Board of Directors
Bart Barringer Law Firm of Mayol & Barringer Andrew Mendlin Law Firm of Curtis & Arata
Eric Benson J.S. West and Co. Norma Reed Basic Resources, Inc.
Frank Boots API Associates (formerly Architecture Plus) Tom Slater Slater’s Home Furnishings
MODESTO, CA
Modesto, CA 95353
David Boring Never Boring Design Associates Georgia Anderson Gypsy - A Boutique
PERMIT NO. 136 P. O. Box 1428
PAID
Tammy Maisetti Tresetti’s World Caffe and Clayton’s
1022 J Street
U.S. POSTAGE
PRSRT STD

2. Business 7 Ways To “Fight Back” NEW BUSINESS PROFILES
Watch In This Down-Economy
Aqua Lounge & Bistro
The important part of Business • Revisit your products and • Explore new markets or market 910 12th St.
Watch is to know who your services to be sure you’re still in segments. Is it time to re-invent Fans of the now-defunct Aqua Shi features American-style food with Asian
neighboring businesses owners “tune” with what customers are your business? will be happy to hear that the influences, and includes many of
and managers are and what looking for restaurant is open again under new the popular sushi options from the
hours of the day and night they • Keep your customer happy and management. New owners Pete and old menu. The interior has been
do business. Communication is • Take an honest look at your loyal! It’s much cheaper to satisfy Brandon Saavedra opened the new completely renovated to exhibit an
key to have a successful Business expenses to make sure every existing customers than attract establishment, now called Aqua Lounge ultra-modern ambience, complete with
Watch. Create a phone tree with dollar you spend is making new ones & Bistro, on October 17, 2008, and glass waterfalls with LED backlights.
contact information including you money have taken great efforts to give the Aqua Lounge & Bistro is located at
emails if you have one. If you • Stay Positive! In difficult times place a new look. The redesigned menu 910 12th St.
see anything that looks suspicious • Don’t be afraid to ask creditors/ customers look for fun, exciting
call MPD dispatch 552-2470 landlords to renegotiating places to go to get away from
with good witness information debts/leases their concerns
and then call your neighboring Plush Hair Studio
1214 J St.
businesses so they can be • Ask suppliers for better terms
aware of what is going on and and offer your customers One of Downtown Modesto’s newest says, “There’s a lot of foot traffic and
call dispatch if they have discounts for early/quick businesses is Plush Hair Studio, a salon car traffic, and a lot of easy advertising
additional information. payment 1010 10th Street that opened its doors at 1214 J St. because of the visibility on J Street.”
Suite 1400 on December 1st, 2008. Owner Erika
Modesto, CA. 95354
Medina had worked in salons for the
209.567.4985
www.stanalliance.com past several years, and when she got
the desire to open up her own, she
knew downtown was the place to go.
CHAMBER OF COMMERCE “I really like the downtown vibe” she
The Modesto Chamber of Commerce represents businesses of many
industrial sectors. However, because the Chamber’s office is located
downtown, it enjoys the many amenities and options courtesy of the
Downtown Improvement District. The Chamber appreciates the ability
to work together with the DID on issues that affect our businesses.
FYSIQUE FITNESS
1209 J St.
A robust center of commerce in the downtown is critical to the success
of our community. Working together, the Chamber and the DID Fysique Fitness is a new Pilates studio experience and innovation,” says
advocate for strong economic vitality. that features personalized training for Hughes, “we’re definitely different
individuals and classes. Co-owners than a standard gym.” Both trainers
1114 J Street Erica Hughes and Jessica Denegri boast are supporters of developing a
P.O. Box 844 14 years of combined experience, and downtown culture, and are excited
Modesto, CA 95353
seek to provide personalized training to be a part of what downtown
209.577.5757
www.modchamber.org in a relaxing and chic environment. Modesto has to offer. Fysique Fitness
“We strive to provide a unique, inviting is located at 1209 J Street.
and fun environment that is filled with