Artist & Business Opportunities

A Peculiar Business Guide

(Helpful Information for Opening an Artmazing Business in Downtown Peculiar)

This packet has been designed as an aid to those wishing to be a part of a truly unique opportunity by opening an arts district compatible business either from their home or from a commercial building location within the Downtown Peculiar Arts & Culture District. DPACD's goal it to assist and provide some of the basic tools necessary for success to those who share the vision with us.

Not every business will use every document and some businesses will need other items to get set up but we did our best to collect the basics to get you started. We do encourage you to turn to your mentors, legal counsel and CPA to ensure you have all of your bases covered as this packet is not intended to cover every business start up consideration or to be applicable in every situation, nor is it to be considered comprehensive.

We wish you success and enrichment as you set off on the path to small business start up and management-it is not a course for the faint of heart! Know also that you are part of a something bigger than a small business and only by working together can we create the fruits of this unique opportunity. DPACD stands ready to help if we can so don't hesitate to ask!

Download Business Guide

Arts District Zoning

A lot of things have happened in Downtown since the inception of the Downtown Peculiar Arts & Culture District-hustle, bustle and art all over the place! Arguably, one of the most far reaching was the "official" creation of the Arts & Culture Overlay District by creating specialized zoning that will allow the District to grow and prosper.

This multi step process involving DPACD, the City, Downtown citizens, property owners and business owners started in March and was completed on May 19th, 2009 with a 6-0 vote by the Board of Aldermen in favor of adopting the zoning.

The mixed use zoning allows for the most important element in successful arts districts-live/work space for artists. It also protects the small town, bungalow character of Downtown while setting the stage for controlled growth and thoughtful development. Big box stores will be prohibited by the zoning, preventing large franchises from coming in and pushing out small business and/or leveling existing buildings thus scarring the face of Downtown. Small business and home businesses which are a fit in an arts district will find a haven within the new zoning.

Moving forward, the focus will be to best leverage the zoning by continuing our efforts to grow this fledgling, pedestrian based, shopping and entertainment district which is woven within the fabric of a mixed residential and commercial district.

Artist Opportunities

These are the upcoming opportunities for artists to share their gifts, talents and art forms with the public: Call for Artists

These are the opportunities for artists to live/work in the Downtown Peculiar Arts & Culture District: Member Properties for Sale/Rent.

Please take some time to get to know Peculiar. Our community is dedicated to maintaining our small town feel. We have great schools and easy access to services and shopping. The Downtown area is being revitalized to be a more pedestrian based area with entertainment, shopping and public areas around every corner. This type of shopping and entertainment district will be the only one of its kind in our area making it a refreshing destination for residents, those in surrounding communities and tourists. The new City Wide Master Plan (found at www.cityofpeculiar.com under the community development tab) provides for live/work zoning and a commitment to maintaining the bungalow footprint of Downtown architecture. Our local Lions Club just reprinted A Peculiar Heritage or a Century of Persons, Places and Events in the Life of Peculiar, Missouri 1868- 1968 which was originally published for our centennial. If you would like to learn more about the history of Peculiar including the railroad, border war, how we got our name and more, we suggest you contact the Peculiar Pharmacy at (816) 779-6100 to secure this book. The Peculiar Pharmacy is also kind enough to display DPACD artists' pieces.

You will find that we feel our unique past and our funky, fun future can go together like paint and canvas; set and stage; orchestra pit and sheet music.

Please join us and be added to our email list to be in the know and ahead of the wave. Members will also receive call for artist opportunities and event opportunities via email.

We invite those interested in business opportunities in Peculiar to take some time to get to know about the community. Please review the history tab, the economic development tab (including the Community Profile and the Market Conditions Study) and the community development tab (including the City Wide Master Plan) on the City of Peculiar website www.cityofpeculiar.com.

Peculiar is perfectly positioned to be the southern point of the "arts triangle" that is formed by the Kansas City metro, Johnson, County, KS and northern Cass County areas. In addition, many of the cities around Peculiar have larger populations who could easily travel to Peculiar for the types of shopping and entertainment available in arts districts that are not available in the communities in which they live.

There are businesses which historically do better in arts districts and the following list (not intended to be comprehensive) can give you a feel for those business which are a good fit.

• Antiques stores
• Jewelry stores (preferably hand made)
• Vintage clothing
• Cafes/restaurants
• Gift/card shops (again - handcrafted is better)
• Hand Crafted home decor
• Galleries
• Studios (artists' live/work space)
• Bookstores
• Coffee shops/tea rooms
• Performing arts venues - theatres, concert hall
• Bed & Breakfasts
• Visitors' Center
• Museums (historical, art)
• Dance studios
• Night Life (bars with food, live music and/or dancing; micro breweries)
• Garden shops (again, preferably handmade pieces)
• Availability for sidewalk kiosks
• Ice cream/candy shops
• Import stores
• Art supply stores
• Health food stores

Please review the member properties which are currently for sale/rent/lease in Downtown as well as the innovative economic incentive program we're working on.