Have you taken art classes at The Art Room?
It’s the first week of the Winter Session of classes at The Art Room, and while many locals take the classes, a new session also brings new kids to town, and the parents who drop them off and then stay to wait to pick them up. If that’s you, welcome.
Want to get out of the car while you wait? You’ll find lots you can do on foot once you’ve parked near The Art Room, from taking a friendly stroll and browsing our downtown stores to buying organic groceries or ordering Take Out for dinner.
If you’re like many small business owners, though, you need to use this time more efficiently to move down your to-do list. Here are three things you can do easily while you wait.
(1) Simple Errands, including Send UPS Packages, Make Copies and Buy Office Supplies
The best bet is Fed Ex Office (Kinkos), in La Fiesta Square, across the street from The Art Room. Walk along the sidewalk next to Chow’s towards Moraga Road. You’ll find Fed Ex Office in the Southeast corner of the Square, next to Sharp Bicycle. In addition to the usual business services, they’ve recently expanded their office and packing supplies inventory, including phone and computer cords and other accessories. There’s also a UPS Store next to Wells Fargo (corner of Mt. Diablo and Moraga Road).
(2) Solve Tech and Phone Problems
In addition to what you’ll find at the Fed Ex Office Store, Radio Shack on Mt. Diablo Blvd is a useful resource just an easy walk away. The AT&T Store is a half a block further and on the other side of the street, which makes it easy to access, but if you see a healthy line, come back another time. The staff is helpful and will spend whatever time you need, but that makes it harder for you to get back in the time you have before art class pick up if people are ahead of you in line.
(3) Find a Chair and Access Free Wi-Fi. You’ll find it increasingly available, thanks to generous merchants who also know that it’s a service we really appreciate. If you look closely at the picture you’ll see one Dad from Alamo found it easily, likely drafting off strong signals from Starbucks, Fed Ex or Papillons. I stopped to ask because I’ve been maintaining a Foursquare List called “Find Free Wifi in Lafayette, CA,” and wondered if he had an idea for another entry. (Do you — let me know by posting a comment below or sending me an email at robin@clientdrivenmarketing.com!)
He was genuinely happy to learn that Papillons was a coffee shop – and so close. Maybe next week you’ll see him there.
We take a lot of local Lafayette knowledge for granted. It’s easy to forget that others don’t know what we do. I hope you’ll share when you can, starting now:
What else can someone get done for their business while they wait? Here are the guidelines:
(a) Useful for business.
(b) 4 blocks or less from The Art Room.
(c) Takes less than 50 minutes to get the job done — don’t want to risk a late pick-up!
For those of you whose children have classes that start before 3 or 3:30 p.m. – here’s one more idea. Walk into the Lafayette Chamber (100 Lafayette Circle), and find out how being a member might help your business grow, even if you don’t live in town. They’re open until 4pm, M-Thursday.
