Building upon Bristol’s success as the 2017 Small Business Revolution Main Street winner and the opening of several new businesses amid the Covid pandemic, Bristol Borough’s economic development group, Raising the Bar, is launching a new marketing initiative titled, Destination Bristol.

Representatives from over thirty leading Borough hospitality entities met for a leadership breakfast last month to launch the initiative. The group included bar and restaurant owners, specialty retailers, service groups, the business association, the Historic Society, the Bristol Riverside Theater, the Grundy Museum and ethnic festival planners.

Bill Pezza, President of Raising the Bar, said, “Watching our individual businesses work during the pandemic was inspiring. Not only did our existing core survive, the number of establishments in the Mill Street commercial district actually grew. But it wasn’t easy. Proprietors understandably focused their energy and resources on their personal survival.

“The increase of outside visitors to our commercial district has been dramatic,” Pezza added. “Now, we feel the time is right to expand the practices that transformed the Borough’s image into one seen as a vibrant dining and entertainment spot.”

Plans include group and cross marketing, a billboard planned in conjunction with Visit Bucks County, a revamped Visit Bristol Borough website, and marketing seminars produced jointly by Raising the Bar and the Business and Innovation Department of Bucks County Community College, all designed to maintain and expand the Bristol Brand.

Craig Whitaker, a Raising the Bar board member, said, “The website will be updated weekly and will include links to businesses in Bristol’s hospitality industry as well as information about festivals, performances, and special events.”

“We’ve tapped into a group of highly talented and dedicated entrepreneurs,” Pezza added. “We want to foster a climate where the major players recognize that we’re much stronger when we support each other and speak with one voice.