I would like to see more areas in Vallaki and Port-a-Lucine designed for the purpose of being rented out by their respective guard factions. I don't believe Dementlieu has any at the moment, and the ones in Vallaki tend to be destitute which limits the potential. This has always generated role-play for both guards, the ambitious renter, and those they might involve in the endeavor. The areas could be built on one map for each and just connected throughout the doors of the city to lessen the footprint on server resources. That they are rentals and controlled by the guard factions would allow for turn-over rather than stagnation.
A message board system might be fun. I would even prefer the message board be a persistent storage where the letters are placed inside, so people go over and read them instead of click from a distance. It would feel more engaging, if even a small change.
Cooking options would also be good, as mentioned above. It doesn't feel like something that needs a large system attached to it since there's no mechanical benefit. It seems like a lot of work re-tagging all the food items out there to work with a script, so it might just be best to sell 'meal starter' or something that can be written on with a quill and renamed. You could do poor, average, and exceptional starters to speak of ingredient quality and cost.
The ability for the guard factions to check the OCR of a character for the purpose of roleplay responses and general demeanor, be it positive or negative. Something to make reactions more consistent across the board, benefiting the caliban who invest in having positive town relations, and acknowledging those with astronomical OCR who stand out of Radu's perceptions in the Outskirts. It should only return OCR checks from Dementlieu and Barovia exclusively, per the faction.
Consider adding the Prestidigitation spell with the description amended to what can be done in game without the creation element. Just something to provide roleplay for wizard that comes out from a fray looking pristine, or minor endeavors to add that convenience element to magic that makes it stand out a little more above the mundane.
http://www.d20srd.org/srd/spells/prestidigitation.htm