OUR LATEST LETTER:

Dear Members an interested businesses along Grand Avenue,

Our new Board has been working behind the scenes to get GABA up and running again. As you have all experienced, Covid has taken a toll on people and businesses in different ways. GABA currently does not have an Executive Director, but still has a strong grass-roots group of small businesses who share an interest in seeing Grand Avenue thrive! We want to thank Jason Koenig from The Odd Couple and Scott Fare from Wet Paint for helping us with membership and also to Brian Wagner of Coldwell Banker for spearheading PAWS on Grand in August! We invite you to volunteer your time, talents, and treasure to refresh GABA and create a vibrant business association. We can’t do it without you!

Current GABA Board:

Angela Brasel, Coldwell Banker Realty

Deanna Seppanen, Macalester High Winds Fund

Lanai Koep, Kinderberry Hill

Nancy Berger, Coldwell Banker Realty

Chris Jensen, Axia Home Loans

Nick Sundsmo, Lloyd’s Automotive

Please join us on September 23rd for a Meet and Greet of the Board and to discover the time, talents and treasures of our membership. We look forward to seeing everyone.

A note about our website: as many of you know, the GABA website had to be recreated this summer. We are thankful to Ha Do, a talented Macalester student, and Jimmy Fritz (mentor and resource) for getting our presence back online. Please be patient as we continue to layer on information and make updates!

The best way to reach out to the Board right now is through [email protected] or [email protected]. Board members are monitoring those addresses.

Older letters:

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Hello Fellow Grand Avenue Businesses,

As the current Board of Directors we would like to thank all of you for your support as we rebuild the Grand Avenue Business Association.

As mentioned in a letter sent in April, this last year had been tough but we are confident there are great opportunities to support one another and for growth as we look forward.

Our goals for the remainder of 2021 include the relaunch of our website and an active social media presence highlighting the businesses in the association. We are also planning two re-imagined events, Paws on Grand and Grand Meander, intended to drive traffic to local businesses. We are also renewing partnerships with other membership groups to build awareness of our neighborhood businesses and adding opportunities to learn and network.

Additionally – we are looking ahead to Grand Old Day 2022. We are currently seeking volunteers to determine the scope and budget of this project. Please contact us to get involved.

We ask that you please consider joining GABA for the remainder of 2021 with reduced membership dues of $150 for the year. This will allow us to have a small operational fund and will make sure that you are on our membership roster, can participate in upcoming events, and are connected to each other through our Facebook group and emails.

As a volunteer group, our scope is limited, as we do not have an Executive Director or any other employees. If you are interested in helping, please join a committee or serve as a board member.

We’ve attached a membership form that we ask everyone to send back via email or with your check so that we have your up-to date contact information. There are two ways to confirm your GABA membership this year.

By mail:

Grand Ave Business Association

1041 Grand Avenue #535

St. Paul, MN 55105

Venmo:

@GrandAveBusinessAssc

We are honored to serve this organization.

Sincerely,

Your GABA Board of Directors: Angela, Chris, Deanna, Lanai, Nick and Rianna

[email protected]

GABA Membership Registration Form 2021

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