Main Street organization honors merchants, volunteers

Local business owners gathered at Signatures Thursday to honor Mitchell Main Street and Beyond merchants and volunteers.

President and event emcee Dave Brooks introduced newly-elected board members Bob Schoenfelder, Greg Foster, Lyle Swenson and Tyler Graham and commented on the long-term process of downtown beautification and business development.

“Downtown is still one of the largest employment centers of our community,” said Brooks, noting that the area that holds Mitchell’s historic core, welcomes more than 200,000 visitors annually and provides a large share of the city’s tax base.

Brooks set 2010 goals of increasing membership by 20 members, finding additional funding sources for downtown business improvements, and creating a comprehensive inventory of downtown businesses and rental units for promotional purposes.

The group enters 2010 with a healthy $75,530 balance sheet, said Brooks. Cash came from various fundraising endeavors, such as candy apple sales and Halloween’s “Haunted Hallways” fright tour, which lured more than 800 terror-seekers and a $30,000 matching grant from the city of Mitchell.

In presenting awards for façade and building improvements, board member Jeff Logan said businesses may make improvements to increase profits, but the entire community also benefits.

“We notice and we’re thankful and grateful,” he said.

Mitchell Main Street and Beyond awards were given in the following categories:

Volunteers: To LifeQuest volunteers, for watering and maintaining downtown floral arrangements; to Brad and Donna Jamison, owners of Woelfel Jewelry; and Harlan and Carol Phinney.

Property Improvement Awards: American Garage Door, Jeff Jarman, 100 N. Sanborn Blvd.; Big Dummy’s, Jason Bates, 112 N. Main St.; Car Quest, Chad Pischel, 1010 N. Main St.; Chuck’s Paint & Blinds, Chuck Thuringer, property owner Arlen Schuh, First Avenue and Sanborn Boulevard; Heng Heng Chinese and Italian Express, John Heng, 505 N. Main; Woelfel Jewelry, 218, N. Main St.; The Framer, Connie Henning, 316 N. Main St.; Fabric Warehouse, World of Fabric; Stearns Promotions, Connie and Lester Stearns, 407 N. Main Street; Complete Career Center, 407 N. Main Street; Cutrate Heating, Plumbing & GE Appliances, Bill Morgan, 115 E. First Ave.; Jones Supply, 523 N. Main St., the former Leader Hardware Building, Jeff Logan; the Masonic Lodge, 112 E. Fifth Ave.

New Businesses: In the Northstar Plaza, 1401 N. Main St.: Scrappin’ Ladies 2, Siouxland Blood Bank, Cabana Tan, One-Eyed Jacks; Heng Heng; Army/Navy Outlet, 214 N. Main St.; 3rd Avenue Salon & Spa, 108 E. Third Ave.; The Window Shop, 124 S. Main St.; Superior Satellite, 115 E. Second Ave.; Tech Solutions, 1408 N. Main St.; Christ Apostolic Church, Midtown Plaza, Fourth and Main; Van Dyke’s, Seventh and Lawler.

Tags: main street and beyond, news, local