Greetings!
The past few months at the Main Street office have been busy; our committees have been hard at work planning and budgeting for next year, and projects continue to be developed and implemented. As excited as we are to tell you more about what we have planned for 2011, we're dedicating this newsletter to describing our organization, Main Street Wausau, Inc., in greater detail.
Over the course of the next four months look for newsletters featuring the work of each of our four committees.
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What Is "Main Street"?:
The Organization, the River District and What We Do
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The Organization: Main Street Wausau, Inc. is a non-profit organization dedicated to the promotion, economic development and historic preservation of downtown Wausau's River District.
Why would we call ourselves Main Street Wausau when Wausau doesn't have a literal "Main Street"? The answer lies purely in the approach we use to revitalize our downtown community.
Our organization happens to be one of over 2,000 communities across the nation that use the "Main Street" approach to revitalization. This approach, dubbed "Main Street", was developed by the National Trust for Historic Preservation as a strategy for rebuilding the places and businesses that make for sustainable, vibrant, and unique communities. More specifically, Main Street communities revitalize downtowns by reviving commercial cores, strengthening business, preserving historic buildings and assisting downtowns in maintaining a strong sense of place and community life.
The City of Wausau joined this national movement in 2002, after dozens of downtown stakeholders demonstrated a strong desire to collaboratively revitalize the economic core of our community. As a result, Main Street Wausau, Inc. was created to guide the revitalization of a downtown Business Improvement District (BID) that represents approximately 150 property owners and over 250 businesses.
To be specific, businesses and properties within the BID are located within these boundaries:
- On the west side: north of Stewart Ave., east of 3rd Ave. and south of Elm St.
- On the east side: north of Washington St., west of 6th St. and south of Grant St.
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The River District: Where then, does
the River District fit into this mix? Shortly after Main Street Wausau, Inc. was established, we branded our downtown area (or BID) as the River District. In other words, Main Street Wausau, Inc. is the non-profit organization dedicating to promoting, developing and preserving the River District.
Click here to view a map of the River District. _________________________________________
What We Do: Like all Main Street communities, we take a community-driven, grassroots approach to developing programs and projects that meet the promotional, economic and design needs of the River District. More specifically, we do this by engaging our stakeholders and community partners in committees focused on these four areas:
Promotion Committee: Promotes the River District as a center of commerce, culture and community life to residents and visitors alike.
Economic Development Committee: Strengthens the District economically by recruiting and retaining businesses within the District.
Design Committee: Promotes the preservation of the District's historic design so as to make it an attractive place to shoppers, investors, business owners and visitors.
Organization Committee: Educates River District stakeholders and agency partners as to our organization and the services we provide, while also engaging these individuals in our program to ensure we work collaboratively to improve and maintain our community.
Do you have an interest in being involved in any of these committees? We're always looking for enthusiastic volunteers! Contact Main Street Wausau's Manager, Dawn Follendorf, at 715.845.1328 or by email for more information. Click here for a schedule of committee gatherings.
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Holiday Events in the District!Holiday Window Decorating Contest (Dec. 3-10)
Main Street's Promotion Committee presents the River District's 4th Annual Holiday Window Decorating Contest!
Participating businesses will be vying to be named Wausau's Best Decorated Window. The top three placing businesses will be determined by a hybrid voting system; a Public Choice Vote that will take place on our website WausauRiverDistrict.com and a group of community judges that will stroll the District and weigh in on the best dressed window. Online voting will begin on Fri., Dec. 3rd and end by noon on Fri., Dec. 10th. Winners will be announced our website and facebook page at end of the day on Dec. 10th.
Would your business like to participate? Click here for additional information and a participation form.
A special thank you to this event's main sponsor!
Holiday Parade (Dec. 3)Named by the City Pages annual "Best Of" poll as Wausau's Favorite Holiday Tradition, Wausau Area Events presents the Holiday Parade on Friday, Dec. 3rd. The Parade begins as 6:30pm at Marathon Park and will conclude with festivities at the Great Hall including hot chocolate, cookies and a visit from Santa Clause! Parade applications are still being accepted.
Visit WausauAreaEvents.org for more information.
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Main Street Welcomes...
Main Street Wausau, Inc. welcomes and congratulates the following businesses on their successful moves to the River District! Click on the business name to be directed to their website if available.
Sweet Lola's Cupcakery & Bake Shop
To the  pleasure of many who had the opportunity to purchase one of their delectable cupcakes and other sweet treats during MarketPlace Thursdsays this summer, Sweet Lola's opened early October at 303 3rd St. From triple chocolate latte to snickerdoodle flavors, Sweet Lola's has a cupcake to suit every palate!
To meet the owners, Bobby and Tara Nowak (and pick up a cupcake, of course) drop by between 10-4, Mon. - Fri. or 10-2 on Saturdays.
NevaeH
NevaeH, or "heaven" spelled  backwards, is an art gallery andboutique that opened in Washington Square late September. NevaeH features unique vintage
and modern art created by Wisconsin artisans.
If you've yet to discover the artistic oasis NevaeH's owners Briana and Maureen have created, stop by during their business hours, Tues. - Fri. 11-6, and Sat.,11-4. PeepShine Children's ClothingEarly this month, PeepShine Children's Clothing LLC opened its doors in the lower level of Washington Square. Patti Kittle, owner and seamstress of 25 years, makes and sells handmade children's clothing and gowns. Peepshine also offers alteration services, handcrafted clothing for adults such as bridal and formal wear, and accessories. You just might recognize Patti and her products from the 400 Block as she participated as a MarketPlace Thursday vendor for two years; one of several means instrumental to the growth of her business!
PeepShine is open Mon.-Sat. 10-7, with the exception of Wednesdays, when they close at 5pm. 715.218.6868.
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See you in the District!
Dawn
Dawn Follendorf Manager
Main Street Wausau, Inc.
316 Scott Street
Wausau, WI 54403
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River District Calendar of Events
| Holiday Window Decorating Contest
Dec. 3rd-Dec. 10th
Holiday Parade
Friday, Dec. 3rd
6:30PM
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Quick Links
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