Ulman's Jewelry Wants Oktoberfest Moved
DEVELOPING story: The owner of Ulman's Jewelry plans to present a petition to City Council tonight that asks to have the Oktoberfest event moved off of Caroline Street and at the Riverfront park area.
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Jerry Ulman, who owns Ulman's Jewelry on Caroline Street in downtown Fredericksburg, is expected to present a petition tonight signed by dozens of people that want the popular Oktoberfest event moved off of Caroline Street and over to the Riverfront park area off Sophia Street.
The announcement of the petition comes one day after the Economic Development Authority passed a resolution in support of having Oktoberfest on Caroline Street. One chief concern of some business owners is that Caroline Street is packed during Oktoberbest and the street is closed off, so it makes it difficult for people to shop.
Capital Ale House is a big supporter of the event and has promoted it through advertising and has helped organize it, but a general manager could not be reached for comment today.
Ulman, who could not immediately be reached for comment, is expected to present the resolution to City Council tonight at 7:30 during the public comment portion of the meeting.
Ryan Brosmer
6:40 pm on Tuesday, April 10, 2012
Somebody is obviously in denial about why his business is slow.
JS Mosby
7:54 pm on Tuesday, April 10, 2012
Well, perhaps if downtown retail would stay open beyond 5 O'clock, they might be doing better. By the time people get off work, get home and decide to go downtown, the only retail left open is Central Park.
This has been an ongoing battle for years.
I was down there the other night. 6pm. Two ladies came by 909, saw some shops, went "Yay!" and dashed over. Closed.
It's a once a year event, get over it and worry about the other 364 days that your locked door is what potential customers see.
Dan Telvock
2:15 am on Wednesday, April 11, 2012
Numerous business owners downtown signed the petition, Ryan. About 90 residents, businesses and real estate agents signed it. As this story says, Jerry only presented the petition and spoke to it. He didn't do this alone. I will have more details in the morning.
Dan Telvock
2:18 am on Wednesday, April 11, 2012
You make an interesting point, Mosby, and one that I have heard numerous times about downtown Fredericksburg. Today, while waiting for the council meeting to start after I attended the council work session, I was hungry and wanted a quick bite to eat. It was 6:45 p.m. and the place I checked out was closed.
JS Mosby
9:25 am on Wednesday, April 11, 2012
Don't know where you went, Dan, because food is the ONE thing you can get after 5 down there.
Dan Telvock
9:27 am on Wednesday, April 11, 2012
Well, of course you can. But this specific place that I know could have made this sandwich in about 10 minutes flat was not. Everywhere else would've been a sit down, waiter taking my order, etc etc. I had 20 minutes.
Donna Richardson
3:11 pm on Thursday, April 12, 2012
I plan to open a retail fashion accessory shop downtown Fredricksburg and sure wouldn't mind staying open a lil after 6ish to accomodate the working class individuals!