Sign up for the Open City talk on small business survival April 21

Click here to sign up to attend the next Open City meeting, April 21.

The Southwest Detroit Business Association and Open City Detroit are co-hosting the event, intended to help small business owners weather this economic downturn. The event is titled "Surviving a Downturn for the Long-Term: Strategies for Small Business Longevity."

It will be held at Cliff Bell's, located at 2030 Park Ave., from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. April 21. It is free and open to the public, but space is limited so we ask that you sign up in advance. It is co-sponsored by Chase Bank and Model D.

Speakers are seasoned local business owners who are here for the long haul. They will share their stories and offer ideas about being creative in a changing urban landscape and include:

• Christina Lovio-George from Lovio-George Inc., a public relations and marketing firm in Midtown;
• Dave Zainea of The Majestic Theater Center in Midtown; and
• Jeanette Avila of El Rancho Mexican Restaurant, which has been located in Southwest Detroit for 25 years.
• Irwin Danto, of Danto Furniture in Southwest Detroit;
• and Dave Muer, owner of the Blue Pointe restaurant on the East Side.

Source: Vittoria Katanski, SDBA and Liz Blondy and Claire Nelson, Open City Detroit
Writer: Kelli B. Kavanaugh