MONROE — Main Street Monroe hosted a 20th anniversary gala on Friday, Oct. 24 with just over 200 people in attendance. The event celebrated Main Street Monroe’s growth, longevity, and successes and recognized the many people who made it possible.

Joe Lawniczak, Wisconsin Main Street’s design specialist with Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation, spoke to the attendees with shock over how much downtown Monroe has come alive since it first sought the Main Street designation in 2005.

Main Street Monroe current Director, Jordan Nordby, and its Board of Directors wish to give deepest thanks to former mayor Bill Ross, whose forward thinking and stewardship lead to the designation. It also wishes to thank first board president, Mike Sanders, and those who spearheaded efforts and have been a part of the program over the past 20 years. 

Val and John Burington are celebrating 20 years as business owners in downtown Monroe with Burington Shoes. After raising their three daughters and running a dairy farm for more than two decades, where they also raised beef cattle, the Buringtons decided to open Burington Shoes in October 2005 after having owned commercial property on the historic downtown square.

With an emphasis on quality products and addressing orthotic needs, Burington has become a staple in the region for both women and men, carrying timeless brands like Red Wing and Thorogood, both of which manufacture in the United States. They’re one of 50 businesses participating in Main Street’s holiday retail promotion which starts Nov. 1. 

In existence for the same period of time as Main Street Monroe, Burington has been a part of downtown Monroe’s resurgence, with Val having served as the west side Block Captain during the 2009 streetscape renovation project. With a hands-on and pragmatic approach to running their business, Burington exudes small-town, old-school charm and retail.