2024 Woodfords Corner Business Inventory & Survey Results

This past winter, FWC conducted a deep dive into our commercial district as a part of our efforts to support the economic vitality of our community. This assessment of neighborhood conditions will guide us in helping businesses and in planning and advocating for Woodfords Corner.

Our assessment was two-fold: We assembled an inventory of the 231 businesses located in the Corner, and distributed a voluntary survey. This project took hundreds of hours, and, at times, up to seven people. Prashiddhi, our Muskie Graduate Student Assistant, led the inventory and survey projects. Alongside her, Martha, a board member, and Jamie and Lily, two dedicated neighbors, walked the Corner and handed out surveys door to door. During the process of building the inventory and survey, we also had support from our Economic Vitality Committee, which includes local business owners.

The inventory confirmed our hunch: If you live near Woodfords Corner, most of your needs can be met by a business or organization within a ten minute walking distance. From art galleries to Halal markets, our neighborhood establishments are a reflection of our population’s varied needs and interests.

93% of Woodfords Corner’s businesses are independently owned - a handful are even owned by fellow neighbors! Of our 32 survey respondents, 29% live within 1 mile of Woodfords Corner. Some survey respondents noted that they chose to locate here because they liked the community or lived in the neighborhood already. “We fell in love with our space and then the neighborhood,” said one survey respondent.

Part of what we do at FWC is supporting these small businesses that help make our neighborhood special. Survey responses will help us gauge the challenges they’re facing, such as marketing the district and attracting new customers to the neighborhood.

Stay tuned in 2024 for more information and results from our inventory and survey project!

Thank you to our Economic Vitality Committee - Prashiddhi Pohkrel, Martha Elkus, Jamie Facciola, Lily Sage, Zara of Coveside Coffee, Becca of Back Cove Books, and to all the businesses who filled out a survey!