Business & Tech
Ask The Town: How Do Businesses Come to Vienna?
This week: As shops open and close in Vienna, a look at what the role town plays (or doesn't) in new businesses coming to town.
"Ask the Town" is a weekly series that features Vienna Public Information Officer Kirstyn Barr answering reader questions about anything and everything Vienna. Have a question? Leave it in the comments below; we'll answer it next week.
There has been a lot of discussion around town lately about what business might occupy the old Magruder’s space and some talk about ‘bringing in’ particular businesses to fill the void. As far as the Town’s involvement (as a government entity) goes, to put it simply, we do not “recruit” businesses to come and open up shop in Town, regardless of the location.
The Town only becomes involved with a particular property when a building or occupancy permit application is made. At that time, the Department of Planning and Zoning will evaluate the proposed application based on the zoning ordinance and what uses are permitted in that zone. Other Town departments, such as Public Works, Finance and Police are also involved during the review process.
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The Town does not actively seek out new businesses or discourage others. The locating of businesses is purely a result of market conditions. If there are a lot of one particular kind of business coming in, it is because those business owners decided there was a market for their service and the Town was a good place to open up shop.
As a whole, the Town has a nice mix of various shopping and dining options. The Town supports the business community through the Town/Business Liaison Committee, which is involved with looking at policies related to existing business and supporting new ones that might want to make Vienna their home.
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As a resident, you may really want a particular business to call Vienna home. And as a resident, you have every right to reach out to that company and bring a particular location into their purview. In the end; however, a business will select a location based on the market and whether or not conditions exist for the business to be successful.
Matt Flis, Deputy Director of Planning and Zoning contributed to this article.
Have a question? Leave it below, and we'll get it answered next week.
