Q&A: Fells Point Main Street's Joy Giordano Talks About the Changing Tide

Fells Point is one of Baltimore's oldest and most colorful neighborhoods. It is also a neighborhood in flux. The dismal economy has forced many businesses to close. But new construction is on the horizon, including the Bozzuto Group’s $72 million Union Wharf, which will bring 281 apartments to the area.
 
Adding to the mix of changes, Fells Point Main Street has hired Joy Giordano as its new executive director. She succeeds Robin Budish, who left in the fall to become a community organizer for the Baltimore Streetcar Campaign.
 
The former owner of Distinctive Promotional Products and a former advertising and marketing representative for the Baltimore Guide, Giordano is approaching her new position from the perspective of someone who knows what it's like to run a small business.
 
She's just getting started in the job and doesn't even have her official e-mail set up yet. Giordano sat down with Bmore Media to talk about what drew her to the job, what she plans to do differently and a new marketing campaign that will hopefully bring more tourists to the neighborhood.
 
Bmore Media (BM): How do you feel about the new job?

Giordano: My husband and I live in the city and we love the area a lot. I'm excited to have this opportunity to help small businesses. Fells Point is a really cool place and we want to make it a destination.
 
BM: What drew you to working with Fells Point Main Street?

Giordano: When I worked in promotional products, Baltimore Main Streets was one of my customers. I live in Baltimore City and my husband and I spend quite a bit of time in Fells Point. I have also been interested in the nonprofit world and used to volunteer for Fells Point Main Street. So the opportunity to work in Fells Point with Fells Point Main Street was very exciting to me.
 
BM: What do you see as the most important part of your job?

Giordano: To encourage economic development within the context of historic preservation and planning to make Fells Point a true Baltimore tourist destination. We have a wonderful product and I love the opportunity to make sure everyone knows about it.
 
BM: What are some of the biggest challenges that Fells Point Main Street is facing right now?

Giordano: It's well documented that nonprofits face big financial challenges these days and Fells Point Main Street is no different.
 
BM: How has the recession impacted the area?

Giordano: Some of our businesses have had a rough time. This has been exacerbated by the lack of small business loans.

BM: What new developments are on the horizon in Fells Point?

Giordano: We're working on a Clean and Green Initiative and a marketing program which accents Fells Point as the premier tourist destination in Baltimore. We're in the process of developing a plan using social media, websites, newsprint, radio, lots of stuff, it really all depends on the funding. Our marketing department is in the process of defining who that market is. 

BM: Will Main Street be continuing or expanding on the Farmer's Market?

Giordano: We will be continuing our Farmer's Market on Broadway Square. Based on vendors' requests, we expect to expand the market this season.