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Bob "RealMan" Timm, Owner of Ward Co Notary Services retired RE Broker (Ward County Notary Services)

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Rainmaker
1,052,211
Candice A. Donofrio
Next Wave RE Investments LLC Bullhead City AZ Commercial RE Broker - Fort Mohave, AZ
928-201-4BHC (4242) call/text

Sounds like somebody on the city council is from Chicago!

Apr 16, 2019 04:50 PM
Rainmaker
469,510
Dan & Laurie Pittsenbarger Team
Keller Williams Western Realty - Bellingham, WA
Lakeside & Coastal Single Family Homes

It works for me - quite well actually.

I was curious so I looked up Minot. Sounds like "Little Chicago" is actually an old nickname for the city and it did in fact have quite a past with illegal activities and was actually at one time a distribution hub for Al Capones booze smuggling operation. Given what I found on Wikipedia - I think it works and I do think for tourism the back story behind the town is quite interesting and certainly not dull. People love to connect with wild but true stories - even if illegal. There's something about the "heck"  with the rules attitude or something that is a draw for people.

Apr 16, 2019 05:19 PM
Ambassador
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Debe Maxwell, CRS
Savvy + Company (704) 491-3310 - Charlotte, NC
The RIGHT CHARLOTTE REALTOR!

Chicago Magic!

Well, it doesn't really have a ring to it like "Little Italy" but, we went through a downtown name change about 20 years ago when it became Uptown Charlotte. It's taken decades to get used to it!

Apr 16, 2019 09:36 PM
Ambassador
5,049,450
Jeff Dowler, CRS
eXp Realty of California, Inc. - Carlsbad, CA
The Southern California Relocation Dude

It wouldn't make sense to me to do this. Can't they come up with something a bit more creative?

Apr 16, 2019 04:35 PM
Rainmaker
4,572,183
Michael Jacobs
Pasadena, CA
Pasadena And Southern California 818.516.4393

I have never been to Minot.  Unsure if this will prompt me to visit.  It's not a negative but why?  

Apr 16, 2019 03:01 PM
Rainmaker
644,025
Greg Large
ERA Real Solutions - Grove City, OH
A Tradition of Trust

I see no advantage whatsoever to adopting such branding. Not all people have a positive view.

Apr 16, 2019 03:53 PM
Rainmaker
2,182,552
Michael J. Perry
KW Elite - Lancaster, PA
Lancaster, PA Relo Specialist

An Al Capone museum ???

Apr 16, 2019 02:48 PM
Rainmaker
1,844,301
Lyn Sims
Schaumburg, IL
Real Estate Broker Retired

Well, I am from there & I can assure you that people world wide come to see the old Chicago bootlegging & mob stuff. We even have stuff from Capone's era around & we wouldn't call it Little Chicago.

It is not a compliment IMHO. There is also a weekly street sale called Maxwell St. that  people might be thinking of also. Anything 'stolen' was found at Maxwell St.

I'm with you, why highlight this? There are probably things about Indians in your area & you wouldn't highlight those attrocities any longer.

Apr 17, 2019 05:01 AM
Rainmaker
921,504
Annette Lawrence , Palm Harbor, FL 727-420-4041
ReMax Realtec Group - Palm Harbor, FL
Making FLORIDA Real Estate EZ

Here is Tampa Fl many festivities and the NFL team are centered of the alleged invasion of pirates and the raping and pillaging that ensued.

Gasperilla, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, led by accused rapist Jamis Winston, and the former Devil Rays of baseball fame are the CELEBRATED banners of the region.

As a culture, regardless of the signs we wave when we advocate for our cause, as a people we are violence loving and get pumped walking on the dark side.

In Minot, it will be seen if the leaders walk in light or darkness.

My money is they have giving themselves over to darkness.  What the citizen teaching valuers to their children think is irrelevant.

Apr 17, 2019 04:23 AM
Rainmaker
931,002
Chuck Willman
Chuck Willman - Alpine, UT
NewHouseUtah.com

Sounds like an inferiority complex slogan. There has to be a less “needy” seeming way to promote the place.

Apr 17, 2019 12:33 AM
Ambassador
6,393,494
Bob Crane
Woodland Management Service / Woodland Real Estate, KW Diversified - Stevens Point, WI
Forestland Experts! 715-204-9671

We have two areas known as "Little Chicago" that I know of, neither of them are a good thing.

Apr 16, 2019 10:41 PM
Rainmaker
679,404
Diana Dahlberg
1 Month Realty - Pleasant Prairie, WI
Real Estate in Kenosha, WI since 1994 262-308-3563

After reading all the responses thusfar ... I like Dan Pittsenbarger comments. Very interesting.

Apr 16, 2019 07:54 PM
Rainmaker
711,852
Lynnea Miller
Bend Premier Real Estate - Bend, OR
Premier Real Estate Service in Central Oregon

Little Chicago in my mind is a negative.

Apr 16, 2019 06:05 PM
Rainmaker
4,882,355
Richard Weeks
Dallas, TX
REALTOR®, Broker

Whats a Minot?

Apr 16, 2019 05:02 PM
Rainer
509,449
Susie Kay
Ultra Real Estate Dallas Fort Worth - Plano, TX
North Dallas Specialist

I wonder why they selected Chicago.  Why not Dallas? 

Apr 16, 2019 04:58 PM
Rainmaker
5,104,931
Nina Hollander, Broker
Coldwell Banker Realty - Charlotte, NC
Your Greater Charlotte Realtor

Well then, why not brand it as little New York?  I see nothing appealing about it at all.

Apr 16, 2019 04:51 PM
Rainmaker
2,071,025
Evelina Tsigelnitskaya
SIB Realty - Sunny Isles Beach, FL

Great one.

Apr 17, 2019 05:16 PM
Rainmaker
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Valeria Mola
SIB Realty - Miami, Sunny Isles Beach - Sunny Isles Beach, FL
305-607-0709 SIB Realty Condos for Sale and Rent

Apr 17, 2019 05:07 PM
Rainmaker
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Sandy Padula & Norm Padula, JD, GRI
HomeSmart Realty West & Florida Realty Investments - , CA
Presence, Persistence & Perseverance

Looks like Minot is selling itself short?

Apr 17, 2019 05:32 AM
Rainmaker
758,035
Peter Testa
Nationwide Homes - Danbury, CT
PETER TESTA

I like the current name, the Magic City, better than Little Chicago. Maybe name a street in Downtown Little Chicago Way & call it a day.

Apr 17, 2019 04:36 AM
Rainmaker
901,535
Carla Freund
Keller Williams Preferred Realty - Raleigh, NC
NC Real Estate Transition & Relocation 919-602-848

I think they need to go back to the drawing table for this one. Maybe they can have a contest and let the residence come up with cool branding. 

Apr 17, 2019 03:52 AM
Rainmaker
628,814
Buzz Mackintosh
Mackintosh REALTORS - Frederick, MD
“Experience, reliable, leadership”

Sounds like you have local politicians who are blowing hot air. Just like the ones that were the reason Chicago was labeled "The Windy City".

Apr 17, 2019 03:30 AM
Rainmaker
5,772,575
Ron and Alexandra Seigel
Napa Consultants - Carpinteria, CA
Luxury Real Estate Branding, Marketing & Strategy

In my oh so humble but esteemed opinion, why would Minot want to be Chicago or Little Chicago...Why steall Chicago's thunder?

A

Apr 16, 2019 03:35 PM
Rainmaker
1,502,998
Ryan Huggins - Thousand Oaks, CA
https://HugginsHomes.com - Thousand Oaks, CA
Residential Real Estate and Investment Properties

I'm not a fan of rebranding, especially when it references another city.  It's like trying to make yourself seem more important.

Apr 17, 2019 09:27 AM
Rainmaker
938,537
Bruce Walter
Keller Williams Realty Lafayette/West Lafayette, Indiana - West Lafayette, IN

Bob, what about "MISSLETOWN"?

At Christmas instead of hanging mistletoe,  the city could hang garlands of miniture Minuteman III missles.      ^_~

Apr 17, 2019 07:38 AM
Rainmaker
3,416,038
Scott Godzyk
Godzyk Real Estate Services - Manchester, NH
One of the Manchester NH's area Leading Agents

I do not know why a city would want to be affiliated with it? Having a towns own character and being individual is more attractive. 

Apr 17, 2019 05:10 AM
Rainmaker
5,216,409
Wayne Martin
Wayne M Martin - Chicago, IL
Real Estate Broker - Retired

Stick with "The Magic City" and let imaginations of the people create what they will!

Apr 17, 2019 04:53 AM
Rainmaker
1,513,143
Raymond E. Camp
Ontario, NY

They should stick with "MAGIC" or come up with something original, I'm sorry we are talking politicians though!

Apr 17, 2019 04:52 AM
Rainmaker
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Barbara Todaro
RE/MAX Executive Realty - Happily Retired - Franklin, MA
Previously Affiliated with The Todaro Team

do you have alot of crime???  

Apr 17, 2019 04:24 AM
Rainmaker
3,626,530
James Dray
Fathom Realty - Bentonville, AR

When I read about Chicago or see it mentioned on TV, it is all negative.  With all the crime going on in that city, I would not want to give that negative thought about Minot.  Not a good way to promote Minot  

Apr 17, 2019 02:51 AM
Rainmaker
536,943
Rose Mary Justice
Synergy Realty Pros - Dandridge, TN
Synergy Realty Pros

I get a not so good vibe from the title.  Can't see how this would entice anyone to go there.

Apr 16, 2019 07:42 PM
Rainmaker
7,836,139
Roy Kelley
Retired - Gaithersburg, MD

No.

Apr 16, 2019 05:37 PM
Rainmaker
1,196,798
Doug Dawes
Keller Williams Evolution - 447 Boston Street, Suite #5, Topsfield, MA - Topsfield, MA
Your Personal Realtor®

I agree with you. Why use someone else's brand to define the community

Apr 19, 2019 07:16 AM
Ambassador
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Kathleen Daniels, Probate & Trust Specialist
KD Realty - 408.972.1822 - San Jose, CA
Probate Real Estate Services

Shaking my head in San Jose.

Apr 17, 2019 12:34 PM
Rainmaker
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Dave Martin (703) 585-4687
Fairfax Realty - Fairfax, VA
Making Realty Dreams a Reality #WeWillGetYouHome

I suppose maybe if they are trying to develop the town as a sightseeing / vaction spot and developed the ... connection to the gangster era in Chicago I guess it could be a good choice but honestly I don't know.

Apr 17, 2019 11:11 AM
Rainmaker
961,383
Mel Ahrens, MBA, Kelly Right Real Estate
Kelly Right Real Estate - Hood River, OR
Customized Choices for your Real Estate Needs

Chicago, gun deaths every day,? Chicago, murder capital?  Branding to Chicago seems iffy to me. The national news is not helping Chicago's brand.  

Apr 17, 2019 10:36 AM
Rainmaker
1,712,676
Joe Pryor
The Virtual Real Estate Team - Oklahoma City, OK
REALTOR® - Oklahoma Investment Properties

I don't undstand what the value would be. I would prefer a phrasse that evokes wanting to be there.

Apr 17, 2019 07:18 AM
Rainmaker
1,239,901
Sam Shueh
(408) 425-1601 - San Jose, CA
mba, cdpe, reopro, pe

Heard of Little Tokyo, Little Saigon, Little Warsaw, West Chicago before. 

It got be Irish and green too? 

Apr 17, 2019 07:12 AM
Rainmaker
2,781,173
Richie Alan Naggar
people first...then business Ran Right Realty - Riverside, CA
agent & author

The people who think this stuff up need to get out more often where the the true answers await. Branding a city means setting a high bar and keeping it there. First question: Is the city doing a good job now regardless of their brand?

Apr 17, 2019 07:02 AM
Rainer
344,603
Kris Collis, Associate Broker
Smart Way America Realty - East Stroudsburg, PA
Professional Results you Expect 570-801-5525

Bob, after reviewing the posts, I endorse the majority on this thread. 1) "Minot Magic" resonates.   Where would I bring the family on vacation?  To the land of infinite magic or stuck in history's mayhem capitol?  Having said that, a one-off tourist attraction museum could be a good thing - featuring Minot's specific ties to that era to satisfy both history buffs and Prohibition aficionados.  No one gets left out... but the focus should be Minot's unique calling cards.  What brings folks there really?  "Magic in the Heart of the Midwest."  Or "Minot Magic in the Heart of the Homeland." This also plays on the reputation of the nationally known Midwest family values.  Because .... if Minot goes to Little Chicago, what's left after the shootings, booze and prostitution???  How fast can we say, Let's get outta here!  2), if you go Little Chicago, over time the real area assets get downplayed, they no longer fit the image of Minot as Chicago's 2nd fiddle.  3) This is not the same kind of decision as a Little Italy or Chinatown, with the international and immigrant history those names connote to people.  Little Chicago is just not in that league.  4) IMHO Minot would sell itself very short walking away from what it stands for and taking on a restricted brand/image/personna.  Little Chicago might bring folks there for a day but Minot has much more to offer.  Sacrificing all that good stuff for another town's name that may not have universal appeal is like throwing tourist dollars away.  If I want Chicago, I go to Chicago.  2nd Chicago sounds like second best.  Keep your Magic Minot.

Apr 19, 2019 11:16 PM
Ambassador
3,164,294
Tammy Lankford,
Lane Realty Eatonton, GA Lake Sinclair, Milledgeville, 706-485-9668 - Eatonton, GA
Broker GA Lake Sinclair/Eatonton/Milledgeville

Does Minot have a lot of gang violence these days?  That seems like a really bad branding.

Apr 20, 2019 11:01 AM
Rainmaker
4,936,705
Will Hamm
Hamm Homes - Aurora, CO
"Where There's a Will, There's a Way!"

I am not should about copying Chicago,  they do have lots of shootings there.

Apr 19, 2019 09:13 AM
Rainmaker
2,390,620
Bob "RealMan" Timm
Ward County Notary Services - Minot, ND
Owner of Ward Co Notary Services retired RE Broker

Not these days Tammy Lankford, but it was the wild west during the oil boom (2008 - 2014). We had a real drug problem, shootings, murder and so on. Thank God it all quited down when the oil field slowed down and the rest of the Nations economy picked up (so the dope dealers could go home).

Apr 20, 2019 11:14 AM