As voting continues for the national main street competition (we’re currently quarterfinalists!), and as the holidays are officially upon us, I’m reminded of what was written for our nomination. For those of you who may not know, we’ve been nominated for a national main street competition and currently in the running for a semifinalist position. Stephani King, owner of Edelweiss Gifts, nominated us. The top prize is $25,000 cash. You can vote 25 times per day, per IP address. But what was written about us in the nomination?
What makes Monroe so special is that those involved with the main street program have an appreciation for so much but are always striving to make the most of its potential. It is often that maintaining is an impossible task. Yet Monroe has maintained and it has flourished. It has embraced its history, which includes a strong Swiss American influence, while working towards more. When you visit Main Street Monroe you are transported to a different time, with buildings that beg to be explored and their stories learned. They are filled with shops that provide services and quality items that remind you just how few and far between dress shops and kitchen stores like these are. But they are also filled with pristine, cozy, and minimalist coffee shops serving oat milk and gift shops focusing on fair trade and woman owned businesses with sustainable business practices. It is where generations and ideals come together and life exists.
That was front and center on November 27th — Shop Small Saturday. Just a week and a half prior, I had the privilege of meeting Governor Evers to accept a competitive statewide grant. It will be used to help fund our efforts in 2022 — from bringing back the summer kickoff event, to a new summer theme, pop up shops, and more.
A bit more recently, Governor Evers issued a proclamation encouraging everyone to Shop Small Wisconsin and patronize locally owned businesses from Nov. 27th through the end of the year. And to that end, Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC) Secretary and CEO Missy Hughes and other members of the governor’s cabinet visited communities across the state on Shop Small Saturday.
I had the pleasure of escorting Department of Children and Families (DCF) secretary Emilie Amundson in Monroe. During her time here, she visited four new businesses downtown that had moved into vacant commercial properties this year. These businesses are going into their first Christmas season in their new space. From an art supply store to a nutrition club, all of these businesses represent hard work and creativity and it’s easily evident that they have brought something distinct to our community.
That is a big part of the striving that was mentioned in our nomination. While Emilie and I walked downtown, we discussed the historic buildings — some older than the courthouse, many in different styles. And we discussed businesses celebrating 6-, 10- and 100-year anniversaries. And we discussed memories, as a Madison native, of her family trips to Monroe and her dad’s affinity for certain spots. And we appreciated how much of that has been maintained and how much of it has flourished thanks to you and visitors near and far.
And on that note, I want to wish you and yours a great and healthy Christmas season. I hope that there is time for appreciation and celebrations.
Semifinal Voting continues through Sunday, December 12th. You can vote at: https://www.mainstreetcontest.com/profile/42
— 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.
