It always comes as a bit of a surprise no matter who is telling — a shop owner or their employees relaying what they heard from customers, the customers themselves, friends and family who have made the (sometimes) long trip to visit me and Monroe, and even state Main Street staff. The comments always have a little bit of a range: “I’ve never seen something like this before” or “what a fantastic shop,” “I cannot believe how many stores there are on the square” or “I wonder why the shop owners decided on opening this business.” All of that, subtly or not, celebrates and recognizes the entrepreneurial spirit of small business and specifically that of our downtown district. Sadly, the same is not always true of other communities across the country whether they are smaller, larger, or have the same population as Monroe.

While there is much structure to Main Street, both locally and with the state program, one of the largest reasons Monroe has been able to keep stores open, attracted new and returning visitors, and open new stores is that because we have focused on developing “homegrown” businesses. Of the businesses that have opened in the last year and a half, like those going back years and decades, they have been businesses already in our backyard; just as the owners have been. Busy Bee Floral & Gift’s owner, Deb Hillary, our most recent pop up shop, signed a long term lease after having operated out of her home. 

Busy Bee was the first of several businesses that have recently opened. And there are more that will soon open. The businesses are varied: coffee and meal supplements, children and women’s clothing, photography studios, home goods, antiques, a children’s play area, a restaurant. What they all have in common is not a one-size-fits-all endeavor, but individuals who are creating and investing in their dreams. Just as Main Street Monroe’s work is not a one-size-fits-all endeavor, local outcomes are as unique as each community and the businesses that they are comprised of. Together, we are able to make strides in achieving local goals. 

Goals need to be planned and nurtured, and, at times, even change. Prosperity requires interest and action from many stakeholders who share a vision for the community. More than a year ago, the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) became law. With the state’s Main Street Bounceback Grants, the investments that have followed have provided a lifeline to Wisconsin communities, businesses, and entrepreneurs. The deadline has been extended to the end of the year and Governor Evers has announced more funding for the grants. As of this column, Main Street Monroe has supported over a dozen grant applications in the downtown district. That means that at least a dozen new businesses have and will be opening.

With some necessary startup funding, the uncertainty of the last two years has not deterred local entrepreneurs. In fact, for many, it has allowed them the time to hone their vision and plan and nurture them. So, as we come off the 4th of July holiday, I want to take the time to celebrate the entrepreneurs who serve our community and are further defining Monroe and allowing us to explore, take advantage of, and celebrate all the local stops that are only making Monroe better. 

—  Jordan Nordby is the executive director for Main Street Monroe. He can be reached at MonroeMainStreet@tds.net. complete details on Main Street Monroe and its efforts can be found at mainstreetmonroe.org.