MMSC logo
December 2010 
In This Issue
Main Street is Gaining More Notice
Congratulations to Chillicothe MS
Blooming Businesses in Liberty & Ash Grove
MMSC Events 2011
Face Time: It Matters
Quick Links

Join Our Mailing List
Missouri Main Street Connection Newsletter

Main Street is Gaining More Notice: Follow up from

National Preservation Conference


Main Street received recognition for its nationwide achievements during the Annual Preservation Conference October 27-30 hosted by the National Trust for Historic Preservation in Austin, Texas.

 

New Yorker architecture critic Paul Goldberger spoke at the opening Plenary Session, saying, "The Main Street Program of the Trust, which helps to strengthen the cores of small towns that have been so decimated by the massive engine of sprawl is a key example of the Trust's wide ranging influence here and of its on-going commitment. I think the Main Street program has probably done as much if not more than most National Trust historic sites to improve the quality of life in this country...if you live in a community in which a Main Street has been brought back to health, preservation has made your life better every day."

 

Former First Lady Laura Bush also spoke during the session. You can hear excerpts from the session at:

http://www.preservationnation.org/resources/training/npc/

Go to Watch Online; video of opening session. 

 

MMSC staff and MMSC President Steven Hoffman attended the Preservation conference and the Main Street Coordinators sessions that preceded it. They gathered lots of information during the workshops that will be useful in the Missouri Main Street program. 

Congratulations to Chillicothe Main Street!

Missouri Main Street Connection is delighted to see Main Street Chillicothe has won one of the Governor's Awards for the Silver Moon Plaza on the Square.

"We are just amazed with this honor," said Crystal Narr, Main SChillicothe Silver Moon Plazatreet Chillicothe Executive Director. "This is a huge achievement for not only Main Street but for everybody who contributed to make the project happen." The Award, "Director's Redevelopment Award" was presented by David Kerr, Director of the Missouri Department of Economic Development during the Governor's Conference on Economic Development in Kansas City on September 16.
Businesses are Blooming in Liberty              and Ash Grove
Spring isn't the only time of year for blooming things. Several new businesses have blossomed in Liberty and Ash Grove recently.

Liberty has welcomed a new beauty shop, a restaurant, a specialty dessert shop, and antiques/art store since summer started.

Grandma's House offers "Ready to Bake" desserts with all natural, homemade goodness. From oatLiberty Grandma's Housemeal cookie dough to pies, brownies, and red velvet cake, the treats are delicious and can be customized by adding extra flavor ingredients. Favorites include peanut butter cup/chocolate chunk cookie dough, rocky road brownies, and almond toffee crunch pumpkin pie. Grandma's House will be opening more locations in historic downtowns over the next couple of years.   18 N. Main Street, Liberty, Missouri

 

Liberty The JEMOn Liberty's historic square, The JEM is a sophisticated yet inviting restaurant and lounge offering topnotch eclectic cuisine, attentive bartenders, as well as live music, emphasizing jazz and blues. The JEM also offers over 2,000 square feet of private banquet space and off-premise catering.   6 - 8 E. Franklin Street, Liberty, Missouri

Liberty Dalla Cima

 

Offering the ultimate in personalized service, DALLA CIMA caters to one client at a time. Specializing in contemporary cut and color services, DALLA CIMA offers one-time appointments and complimentary beverages in a no-rush, relaxing environment.

 111 N. Water Street, Liberty, Missouri

 Liberty Main Street Goods & Goodies2

 

Main Street Goods and Goodies is a new shop on the historic Liberty square. The shop sells antiques, vintage Liberty Main Street Goods & Goodies1items, artists handmades, soda pop and candies. The shop is open Tuesday through Saturday.   16 N. Main, Liberty, Missouri 

 

 

Ash Grove has welcomed a new law firm and two new restaurants recently.

Squibb Law Firm

The only professional service located on Main Street was opened by a home-grown young man. With the establishment of an Ash Grove branch of his law firm in Springfield, this Ash Grove graduate is providing legal services for his hometown area. Open M-W-F mornings.   100 E. Main, Ash Grove, Missouri

 

Ash Grove Aunt Mimi'sAunt Mimi's Tea House

Aunt Mimi is an enterprising young woman who has given new life to Main Street with her building's creative fa�ade and inviting interior. With scrumptious salads, soups and sandwiches, plus tasty meat and potato choices, she has a lunch for everyone. Her specialty - and sinfully delicious - baked goods are in big demand for eat-in or take-home delights. Open Tuesday - Saturday for lunch.   103 W. Main, Ash Grove, Missouri 

 

Momma Loca's Caf� and Cantina

Ash Grove Momma Loca'sGrowing up in the Mexican restaurant business, this "Crazy Momma" brings the best to Ash Grove's Main Street. With a brand new interior d�cor and wonderful Mexican cuisine peppered with some American entr�es, Momma Loca's is packing them in on weekends. Open Thurs - Sat. evenings and Sunday lunch.   123 W. Main, Ash Grove, Missouri          

MMSC Events - 2011

MMSC is pleased to offer these training sessions and conferences for your education and enjoyment. Please mark your calendars.

 

February 17 at Jefferson City, Main Street Capital Day. You will have an opportunity to visit with the legislators during lunch at the Capitol Building.

 

March 8-9 at Ste. Genevieve, "Arts on Main." Two days of sessions to help your downtown develop public art features and activities, such as murals and art shows, funding opportunities for art projects, and examples from other towns. Includes Managers' Training.

 

April 19 at Jefferson City, Matching Grant Workshop to Form A Downtown Revitalization Organization. This is a competitive, cost share grant opportunity offered to first-time participants in the Missouri Main Street Program. Your downtown organization or city must send at least one representative to the workshop in order to file an application. You may call MMSC, 417-334-3014 for additional details.

 

May 22-25 at Des Moines, Iowa, National Main Street Conference.

 

August 9-11 at Kansas City, "Get Plugged In...Downtown" Annual Revitalization Conference. Get ready to bring a group from your community and begin thinking NOW about your award nominations. Basic Training will be offered during the conference, so plan to bring your new board members who need this orientation to Main Street.

 

October 19-22 at Buffalo, NY, National Preservation Conference

 

Nov 8-9 at Clinton. The fall Quarterly Workshop: "Targeted Market Research: Using Your Economic Data and Market Research to Reach the Businesses Your Downtown Needs"plus Managers' hands-on Training: "IN-DESIGN" graphics program.  Here's WHY you should take advantage of the educational opportunities offered by MMSC and the National Main Street Center.

FACE TIME: It Matters

 

How can Main Street education and training help you do your job?

Put together a list of the top three issues your local Main Street program is facing right now and take a look at the schedules for the 2010 conferences that you missed. Did they have content that could have helped you resolve some of those issues? If so, you can bet that the 2011 conferences will provide equally useful information.

Face Time Matters

In addition to the valuable Main Street lessons and cutting-edge ideas you'll get, remember the incredible value of face-to-face meetings. Recent research done by the travel and meetings industry shows:

�        Face-to-face meetings build trust and relationships. You know this to be true in your daily work with business owners and other stakeholders in your community.

�        Education and training are more effective in a live setting. Main Street has a proven track record of providing attendees with successful methods and best practices shared by Main Street leaders and experts in the preservation and economic and community development fields.

�        Live meetings actually save time and money. Instead of making dozens of phone calls or spending precious hours online trying to find reliable information, you'll make quick connections and take home valuable ideas and contacts.

�        Face-to-face meetings produce a more effective exchange of ideas. Where else can you network with Missouri Main Street staff, National staff and colleagues from Missouri communities all in one venue?

�        Most importantly, face-to-face meetings provide the human connection that powers businesses, the economy and your community.

Include the cost of attending MMSC conferences and the National Main Street Conference in your 2011 budget. Compared with classes offered by others, Missouri Main Street's fees for workshops are very competitive and have increased very little during the past five years. The National Main Street Conference fees have not increased in the past three years. If your budget is tight for 2011, and whose isn't, here's an idea for covering the cost of training and travel to workshops - seek sponsors! Some corporations and even small businesses will help out if you give them publicity for their gift prior to, during and after your group travels to conferences. Share the new knowledge you have acquired with your sponsors after your group returns.

"Buy Main Street" Video

 

If you attended the National Main Street Conference in Chicago last year, you might recall a video presentation on "Buy Main Street" in conjunction with the Michigan Main Street Leadership Award. The video captures the spirit of Main Street and the importance of supporting local businesses. By using the images and phrases we think about when we describe what Main Street means to us, it makes people think about their spending decisions.

 

This 2:49-minute inspiring video has been adapted for use by communities everywhere. A 60-second version is also available. The language does not focus on any particular city or state, and can be used by any community. You can post the video online or ask your supporters to show it. You can build a new or existing campaign for your Main Street with the video as the foundation. It is well suited for a viral social media campaign or a short television spot .

 

Find out more about it and download a copy of the full version of the video or the abbreviated version at:

http://www.preservationnation.org/main-street/special-content/BuyMainStreetVideo.html

 

If the information about the video doesn't show up on the special content page, go to the search line and type in: BuyMainStreetVideo.html

 

You will need NERO Showtime3 to download the video.