07/10/2026
Just putting this out there for other small business owners who may agree. I will be writing this to the city and the council as well.
City of Kimberley I find it difficult to reconcile the City's stated goal of making Kimberley a “Good Place to Be” with some of the experiences small businesses are having this summer.
The City has placed a large tent in the Platzl as a presence in the downtown core on farmer’s market nights. While I understand the intention behind creating a City presence, a truly welcoming downtown is built through relationships, collaboration, and the people who bring the space to life. A tent alone does not create community—the businesses, residents, visitors, and small moments of connection do.
At the same time that the City has established a presence in the Platzl, small businesses are now being scrutinized over things like sandwich boards. On one of the busiest evenings of the week, Farmers' Market night, when the Platzl should be at its most vibrant, the focus was on enforcing sign regulations rather than celebrating and supporting the businesses creating that energy.
Our sandwich board is not a corporate advertisement. It is hand-drawn by our teenage staff. It is creative, personal, and reflects the character of our business and our community. It gives young employees an opportunity to contribute, it creates smiles, and it helps visitors discover what we offer. These are exactly the kinds of authentic touches that make Kimberley a “Good Place to Be.”
Small businesses in the Platzl already make a significant investment simply by choosing to operate here. Property owners pay a premium for downtown commercial spaces, and those costs are passed down to tenants through higher rents. We accept those costs because we believe in Kimberley, we believe in the Platzl, and we want to be part of making downtown successful.
What is difficult to understand is why the City would focus energy on generating small amounts of revenue through sandwich board permits when the businesses displaying those signs are the ones creating the atmosphere, attracting visitors, hiring local youth, supporting events, and encouraging people to spend time downtown.
On a busy community night, the goal should be to make the Platzl feel welcoming and alive. That means the small details matter: businesses being able to share their personality, public amenities like the water feature adding to the experience (which IS NOT on by the way as many families have noted), and a sense that the City and businesses are working together toward the same vision.
Kimberley’s slogan is “Good Place to Be.” The reason it is a good place to be is not because of signs, bylaws, or infrastructure alone. It is because of the people who invest their time, money, creativity, and passion into this community.
Small businesses are not an obstacle to manage. We are one of the reasons people come here.
If we truly want Kimberley to remain a “Good Place to Be,” then we need to make sure the people creating that feeling every day feel supported, valued, and welcomed.
My teenage staff design that sign every farmer’s market night to use literally once a week and if it is taken down you will find me continuing to put it right back out 💃.
