East Area Board Collaborates with Poly Main Street Initiative and Texas Wesleyan Students for East Rosedale Business Walk 

The Fort Worth Chamber’s East Area Board, in collaboration with the Polytechnic Main Street Program, recently joined Texas Wesleyan University students for a hands-on business walk along the Poly corridor. Chamber Business Walks are a volunteer-based effort designed to better understand the needs, challenges, and strengths of locally-owned establishments that anchor the neighborhood. 

The walk paired Chamber volunteers and East Area Board members with students studying business, economics, and community development, giving them direct exposure to how small businesses experience day-to-day operations and long-term planning. In addition to showing appreciation to nearly 20 businesses with goodie bags, three businesses along East Rosedale participated in structured interviews, offering valuable insight into the realities of running a storefront in Polytechnic. 

While each business had a unique story, several themes emerged from the survey data collected: 

• Longstanding community roots. Participating businesses ranged from six to twenty-five years in operation, with owners expressing deep ties to the neighborhood and a commitment to staying local. 

• Consistent desire for stability. All three businesses reported that they expect to remain in their current locations—some even planning expansions or transitions into warehouse space as they grow. 

• Challenges shaped by the environment. Owners highlighted issues such as parking availability, traffic congestion, and concerns about crime. These are not new conversations in Polytechnic, but the walk underscored how strongly they continue to shape daily operations. 

• Shifts in customer behavior. One retailer noted that although foot traffic is limited, shoppers tend to make large purchases. Another is exploring an online sales model to broaden reach beyond the corridor. 

• Optimism about Fort Worth’s business climate. Business owners cited Fort Worth’s central location, strong spending patterns, and supportive community as reasons they continue to invest here. 

Students were able to see firsthand how external factors like transportation access, neighborhood perception, and infrastructure intersect with economic development efforts. For the students, it was their first opportunity to connect classroom learning to real-world business retention and expansion work. 

East Area Board member, Paul Kerpoe, shared “I have been on at least six walks over the last two years. Yesterday, I experienced the two most informative interviews of them all. We met with two businesses with long standing presences in the community, strong ties to their neighborhoods, and a desire to continue to thrive and contribute locally.” 

The Chamber’s East Area Board collaboration with the Poly Main Street Initiative reflects a shared goal: creating a clearer picture of how local businesses are faring and identifying practical ways partners can strengthen commercial corridors. The insights gathered will inform ongoing conversations with city staff, community organizations, and area stakeholders as the East Side continues to develop. 

Interested in talking with local business owners and helping capture real-world insights into Fort Worth’s business environment? Consider joining our 2026 Business Champions cohort. Learn more and express interest using the link here.