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Happy Holidays from Believe in Bristol!

December 21, 2011
Downtown Bristol is OPEN for business! With only 3 shopping day left, don't go to the big box, shop local and save Bristol's economy!!! Get superior customer service and those unique gifts! As always, there are many places selling gift cards — so if you don't have time to shop around, gift cards are great!

Check out this article by ROGER BROWN, BRISTOL HERALD COURIER

Photo by Bristol Herald Courier

December 21, 2011
By: Roger Brown , Lizz Marrs | TriCities.com
Published: December 20, 2011
Updated: December 21, 2011 — 6:01 AM

Bristol Va. City Council Tuesday approved an agreement with CityMac for the Apple computer retailer to open a downtown store at a yet-unknown site on State Street in May 2012.

During an afternoon session, four City Council members voted to support the minimum five-year contract with CityMac and Jim Neu, the company’s chief executive officer, to open the State Street store, which would sell Apple computer products and employ at least 18 people.

However, a fifth City Council member, James Heaney, abstained from voting on the deal, saying the city’s agreement with CityMac was “missing something that was supposed to be put in, but wasn’t.”

Following the vote, Heaney declined further comment when asked about his vote to abstain. “It’s not worth getting into,” Heaney said.

But the deal with CityMac, which also plans to open a Wi-Fi coffee shop (called “CityMug”) and a chocolate café inside the downtown site, was hailed by Bristol Mayor Edward Harlow as a major economic move that would have a major, positive impact on State Street’s future.

“This is going to change the whole scope of our downtown,” Harlow said.

The mayor suggested that a tech-oriented store like CityMac would not only fit in well with State Street’s current roster of restaurants and stores, but also serve to bring an even more diverse traffic of people to downtown Bristol.

“I’m constantly reminded of how great our downtown is — and this is going to make it look even nicer,” Harlow said. “Everyone will profit from this.”

As part of its successful bid to snag CityMac – which had also considered proposals from other Tri-Cities communities – Bristol Va. agreed to provide the company with a $575,000 package of incentives and grants.

In the past, some area residents would go to other towns, such as Knoxville, for Apple repairs. Now the future Bristol site provides an Apple repair location close to home, said Doug Weberling, chairman of Bristol Va’s economic development committee.

The CityMac Bristol store will sell all of Apple’s Mac products – from small iMacs to desktop computers – with the exception of iPhones.

Neu, who attended the City Hall announcement with two of his children and wife Neely – who serves as CityMug’s owner and manager — said CityMac’s agreement with Bristol would be a solid, long-term partnership.

“It’s a small town and a small business coming together,” Neu said. “It feels good. It feels right. I won’t let you down.”

Neu praised Bristol City Manager Dewey Cashwell and other city officials for their aggressive pursuit of CityMac – as well as their willingness to offer an attractive incentives package that outweighed any risk in expanding to Bristol.

“It’s going to be a lot of work,” Neu said. “[But] you people are amazing. Every time I wanted to say, “No,’ I kept getting drawn back [to Bristol].”

### — — -###

Anyone who loves technology and new gadgets — listen up.

A big announcement for Bristol today is that City Mac, an Apple authorized seller, will soon be coming to town.

This will be the first store of its kind in the TriCities. Currently, the closest Apple Store is in Knoxville, Tenn. The same company owns a similar store in Asheville, NC.

Bristol, Va. city leaders and developers have been working to secure this business development for months. Today, they unveiled their plan to have City Mac move in to a location on State Street.

Believe in Bristol — needs your help!

December 21, 2011
Dear Friend,

Your financial support to Believe in Bristol has been and will continue to be a vital component for the future success of Historic Downtown Bristol. Believe in Bristol continues to grow our work plans, strengthening our community, and unifying our downtown as “Two States, One State of Mind.” The key is YOU! Our community must want a downtown environment full of shops, eateries, and entertainment, a safe and clean place to visit where we are proud to bring our visitors, we must want to support our local businesses and continue to make Bristol a great place to live, work, shop and play year round!

Times are tough, and with much work behind us we still have more work in front of us. We cannot expect others to keep our program afloat; we need YOU to help Believe in Bristol remain a viable organization. With your support Believe in Bristol will continue to provide resources that create and foster an environment which promotes all of downtown Bristol. We have a track record for streetscape revitalizations, preservation efforts, and business retention. The Main Street Program gives our community focus and direction; it keeps us on task and continually moving forward. Individuals realize that participation in our Main Street Program truly does have a direct impact on protecting our commercial district's future as the center of community life. We have great relationships and partnerships with both city governments and other community advocates; we work closely with them to achieve common goals for our downtown district.

Annually Believe in Bristol has a board retreat. The daylong event is to determine what our goals will be for the following year. The work plans are derived from assigning these objectives to the appropriate committee. The work plans explain how we will implement and achieve the objectives. Our outcomes are hard to quantify, however we gauge our success by the obvious transformation of our downtown and the communities enthusiasm for the revitalization. Based on feedback from our community, citizens are impressed with and excited about the re-birth of our downtown. We have seen the downtown population increase with loft dwellers, annual economic impact continues to grow, and overall our sense of community spirit and pride has been restored.

By supporting our organization, you are investing in the heart of our local economy. Be the change you want to see in our town. YOU can make a difference. Make your financial pledge or get in touch with our office about volunteering today – we need you to BELIEVE in Bristol!

Sarah Hull
BIB President

Click here to help http://www.believeinbristol.org/support.php

Downtown Bristol Blog

Sip and Shop at Inari Wines

December 24, 2011
While there will be no formal wine tasting at Inari Wines on Christmas Eve, we will be offering Sip and Shop. At our Sip and Shop, we will have something open for our customers to sip on while shopping!!!

Book signing at State Line Bar & Grille

December 23, 2011
Friday Dec 23, 2011 from 6-9PM — How do you tame the untamable? Bryan Wharton has been through more than any child should bear, leaving him emotionally scarred. When his new ‘family’ prove to him that love and encouragement do exist, Bryan pursues his only dream. With the friendship and support of a few boys from school, they succeed in making their wild fantasies of becoming rock stars a reality. Through their hard work they rise to fame, while Bryan’s confident, cocky attitude generates animosity within the group. After a particularly grueling ordeal, he meets a young woman who captivates him in ways like no one else ever has. Donna’s. ignorance over who he really is and her genuine concern during their fleeting time together allows him to freely open up to her. The two form a bond, becoming oddly entwined. After getting back to what Bryan knows best, he realizes he needs to devise a way for Donna to be near him for what he believes is his own selfishness. Donna was ready for an adventure knowing she’d become the envy of young women worldwide and was hoping that this could lead to more, this offer was too appealing to refuse. What does this mean for the two—friendship, love or…?
Click here to read more.

Painting class at blowfish emporium

December 22, 2011
December 22, 2011 — The Grape Easel is an experience dedicated to combining fellowship and enjoyment with artistic creation and expression. When you attend a Grape Easel event, you, your friends and family will each be provided with a canvas, paints and brushes with which you will then create your very own masterpiece. Providing experienced art instructors, The Grape Easel highlights one painting per event which you and your comrades will be guided step-by-step how to recreate, while still allowing you to explore your own artistic expression.
Click here to read more.

DJ Haha to perform at Machiavelli's

December 22, 2011
December 22, 2011 — Machiavelli's is located at 8 5th Street, Bristol, TN. For more information, please visit their website at www.machsdowntown.com or call 423-573-9955.

Holiday films featured at Bristol Public Library

December 21, 2011
December 21, 2011 — The Bristol Public Library will be showing the following holiday films:
Click here to read more.

Annie Robinette to perform at 620 State

December 21, 2011
December 21, 2011 — This fantastic new restaurant on State Street will be featuring American and Asian Cuisine, live music, private dining, banquet rooms and a full bar in a casual upscale historic atmosphere. For more information, please visit them onthe web at www.620state.com.

Apple Authorized Retiler Coming to Downtown Bristol, VA — Official Press Release

December 21, 2011
What started as a recommendation by a local businessman to the Bristol Chamber Of Commerce for the purchase of chamber staff Apple iPads has lured the iconic Apple brand to downtown Bristol, Virginia. Lisa Meadows, President and CEO of the Bristol Chamber of Commerce, made the pilgrimage over to CityMac, an Apple authorized retailer in Asheville, North Carolina in May, 2011 to purchase iPad devices and while there, asked CityMac CEO, Jim Neu if he would be interested in locating a store in Bristol.
Click here to read more.

Take A Stroll Down Cranberry Lane...

December 21, 2011
...for simple pleasures and treasures for your home. We are the Tri-Cities largest country decor store featuring home decor as well as a full line of furniture covering such styles as Americana, Primitive and Colonial. You can also find that perfect item to reflect your unique personality among our extensive selection of framed art, lighting and curtain designs. Need that special touch that only a perfectly designed floral arrangement can offer? We have an in-house floral designer that can create the perfect arrangement for any decor. Stop by and see us! Our store hours are Monday — Saturday 10 am — 5 pm.

Visit Wm. King for the classic gift!

December 21, 2011
Classic clothing for gentlemen and ladies — 534 State Street, Bristol, TN 37620 — 423-968-9383 http://wmkingclothiers.com.

Stone AcScents to host food drive and SALE!

December 21, 2011
Stone AcScents is having a food drive event! If you purchase $100 or more on the Large Lampsyou will receive$20.00 OFF, and an additional 5% OFF on any products ifyou bring in 3 or more Nonperishable food cans or boxes for the food drive! Not only do you save but you help area less fortunate. For more information visit Stone AcScent at 525 State Street or facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/#!/events/182278528532619/.