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Council asks staff to study a 'Quack It Up' small-business week to boost local shops
Summary
Council asked staff to study a new small-business week concept—"Quack It Up"—to coincide with National Small Business Week and culminate in a Friday market event in Town Center in May 2027, with a focus on home-based and brick-and-mortar University Place businesses.
Council Member Graci requested at the April 6 study session that staff study a small-business week concept called "Quack It Up," timed to National Small Business Week and culminating with a Friday market in Town Center in May 2027.
Graci said the event would spotlight local brick-and-mortar and home-based businesses with a modest participation fee, city promotion, and a coordinated week of yellow-themed shop-front promotions leading into the city’s Duck Days celebration. She said the event aims to address a perceived gap between the city’s signature events and consistent visibility for small businesses and suggested the Economic Development and Events teams collaborate on implementation.
Council members supported the study request and asked staff to return with feasible timelines, budget estimates, and ideas for sponsorship, volunteer support, and low-cost promotion. Several council members offered program ideas (e.g., scavenger hunts, a town-center market) and asked that staff consider how volunteers, sponsorships and nominal fees could offset staffing costs. The council did not commit city funds at the session and scheduled follow-up study details for future meetings.
