MADISON – One Wausau business and one Wausau event have received a Wisconsin Main Street Award for their part in revitalizing downtown Wausau.
Evolutions in Design received the award for best storefront display and Exhibitour for best retail event.
The Wisconsin Economic Development Corp. recognized Evolutions and Exhibitour, along with the best downtown revitalization projects of 2018, at the 28th Wisconsin Main Street Awards on April 26 in Chippewa Falls. An organization and event in Marshfield and Tomahawk, respectively, also received awards, as well as a Marshfield woman for volunteer of the year.
“All across the state, those involved in the Wisconsin Main Street Program are making a real difference in improving their downtowns by developing new and innovative ways to attract visitors and support local businesses,” said Mark Hogan, secretary and CEO of WEDC, in a news release. “These awards recognize the organizations and dedicated individuals whose efforts not only benefit their communities, but also set the standard for other Main Street communities statewide.”
Wisconsin Main Street is a community development program that targets Wisconsin’s historic commercial districts. WEDC provides technical support and training to the 34 Main Street communities to help them revitalize their business districts.
The winners:
Best Adaptive Reuse Project
Winner: DDl Holdings – Rail Yard Redevelopment – On Broadway, Green Bay
Honorable Mention: The Hub on 6th – La Crosse
Best Business Success Story
Co-Winner: Blacks Floor Covering/Main Furniture & Home – Darlington
Co-Winner: Anshus Jewelers – Menomonie
Co-Winner: Keck Furniture – Watertown
Best Creative Fundraising Effort
Winner: Farm to Table Dinner – Omro
Best Façade Rehab (Under $12,000)
Winner: Luna Coffee Roasters – De Pere
Best Façade Rehab (Over $12,000)
Co-Winner: 205-209 Watson Street Renovation Project – Ripon
Co-Winner: The Jacobs Building – La Crosse
Best Historic Restoration Project
Winner: The George S. Schempf Building, 207-209 E. Main Street – Watertown
Honorable Mention: Steve Rasmus (Hotel Northern Storefronts) – Chippewa Falls
Best Image Item/Campaign/Event
Winner: 54665 Podcast – Viroqua
Best Interior Renovation Project (Under $50,000)
Winner: Estilo Salon – Menomonie
Best Interior Renovation Project (Over $50,000)
Co-Winner: The Exchange Coffee, Mercantile & Eatery – De Pere
Co-Winner: The Wicked Whisk Bake House & Bistro, Owners Jane & Scott Fetting – Rice Lake
Best New Building
Winner: The Discovery Center – Osceola
Best New Business
Winner: Aunt Ethel’s Adult Emporium – De Pere
Best Public Improvement Project
Winner: Wenzel Family Plaza – Marshfield
Best Public-Private Partnership in Downtown Revitalization
Winner: Better Block Project – On Broadway, Green Bay
Best Retail Event
Winner: Exhibitour – Wausau
Best Special Event
Winner: Farmers Market on Broadway – Green Bay
Best Storefront Display
Winner: Evolutions in Design – Wausau
Best Upper Floor Development Project
Winner: Hotel Goodwin & Velvet Buffalo Café – Beloit
Best Volunteer Engagement
Winner: Farm to Table Event – Tomahawk
Connect Communities Award (Population Under 5,500)
Winner: Island City Music – Cumberland
Connect Communities Award (Population Over 5,500)
Winner: Opportunity Knocks Retail Storefront Business Contest – Ashland
Corporate or Municipal Supporter
Diane Hendricks – Beloit
Louie Lange III and The Commonwealth Companies – Fond du Lac
Kathy Robbins – President, First National Bank – Tigerton
Main Street Directors Years of Service
Jack Luedtke, Platteville (10 years)
Diane Eineichner, West Allis (11 years)
Amy Hansen, Fond du Lac (12 years)
Elaine Kroening, Pewaukee (16 years)
Kathy Wellsandt, Rice Lake (23 years)
Craig Tebon, Ripon (27 years)
Volunteers of the Year
Kelly Eickstead – Beloit
Wesley Partlo – Chippewa Falls
Pam Hinderman – Darlington
Alan Hathaway – Fond du Lac
John Roake – On Broadway, Green Bay
Brian Fukuda – La Crosse
Susan Moore – Ladysmith
Rhonda Urlaub – Marshfield
Charlie Jones – Menomonie
Regina Wilkinson – Milwaukee, King Drive
Katherine Westaby – Platteville
Vern Kodesh – Rice Lake
Barb Sander – Sheboygan Falls
James & Brenda Gauthier – Tigerton
Laura Meeks – Viroqua
Robin Kaufmann – Watertown
Wisconsin Main Street Hall of Fame
Bill Ryan – UW Extension
Sam Meyer – Fond du Lac
