Downtown Partners Holiday Happenings in 2020
The holiday season in Downtown Burlington will look a little different this year. Due to safety concerns and advice from local health and safety experts the following large gathering and close contact events have been cancelled this year.
- Downtown Trick or Treat
- Downtown Holiday Parade
- In person Santa Visits in Downtown Burlington
- Living Windows
Although large gathering and close contact events will not be happening, Downtown Partners, Inc., a division of the Greater Burlington Partnership is working hard to still celebrate the holiday season in a fun and safe way. Events that allow social distancing and moderated participation will proceed with a few new events added to this year’s celebration. Those events are:
- Witches Night Out
- Holiday Open House
- Holiday Lighted Window Display & Contest
- Santa’s Cottage Letter Drop Off with the opportunity for Santa to read the children’s letters on Facebook
- Holiday Shop Hops
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Witches Night Out
Grab your Ghoul Friends and fly over for a fun-filled evening in Downtown Burlington. Purchase your witch hat and mask to take advantage of ‘spell’tacular savings at downtown businesses. With a purchase of a ticket for $10, receive a witch’s hat, black mask, and all the spooky bling needed to cast a bewitching spell! Tickets available at Weird Harold’s or GreaterBurlington.com.
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Mainstreet Iowa Small Business Lab
This is a FREE service designated just for businesses within the Main Street District.
If you want to connect with other small business, talk to experts or need technical advice, this lab is for you! Check out the website for additional details.
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Visit With Small Business Experts #IASBDC Mobile Lab
America's Small Business Development Center is offering appointments to learn from experts about E-commerce, QuickBooks, Shipping and Business Operations. Visit the Art Center of Burlington (301 Jefferson St, Burlington) on October 7, 2020 at 8 AM - 10 AM. View the flyer for more information.
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Sip, Taste & Take Home
Thank you to all that stopped into the Port of Burlington Welcome Center to purchase a Wine Down basket. Your support helped the team surpass the goal. A donation of $242 will be presented to Downtown Partners for the partnership with the promotion.
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DPI's Priorities & COVID-19 Statement
Over the past few months, COVID-19 has impacted the community in many ways that could never have been imagined. This includes downtown small businesses and their employees; Downtown Partners’ neighbors and friends. The Downtown Partners, Inc. Board of Directors would like you to know DPI is here to help downtown constituents navigate these tough times and will be focusing on the following items in the months ahead:
Listening to your Needs
DPI will be sure to provide a regular check-in with businesses to ensure owners and employee concerns are heard. DPI wants to listen to the needs of the downtown community to gather multiple points of view for how to move through the pandemic and solve issues that downtown is facing together.
Being a Resource
DPI wants to be a strong partner in developing strategies to safely return business to a new normal by providing businesses with resources. This may come in the form of notifying you about funding opportunities, bringing in speakers on current topics, assisting in transition to digital sales such as “Shop Where I Live”, or providing materials such as safety messaging throughout downtown e.g. signs and fliers. The team will provide a number of resources to assist you through this pandemic.
Promotion of Events, Business, and All Downtown Benefits
DPI will do everything possible to promote all aspects of downtown Burlington, so that the community doesn’t forget about all of the great local things offered. This includes promoting events or innovative/creative way to provide safe alternatives to an event. Some alternatives might include highlighting individual downtown businesses, providing updates on new projects happening, and showcasing all of the other amazing things about downtown.
Re-emphasize the 4 Point Main Street Approach
As a Main Street Iowa Community, DPI must abide by the Main Street Approach which focuses on economic vitality, design, organization, and promotion. The team will take this time to revisit and re-emphasize the 4 Points of Main Street approach with the Board of Directors, each of the committees, and downtown businesses to create a path for the future after the pandemic. This plan will help to create an atmosphere of partnership and collaboration with all of the downtown partners to ensure the downtown community comes out of this pandemic stronger than before.
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300 Washington Update
Downtown Partners is continuing work to repair the damaged northeast corner of the building at 300 Washington. Decades of water infiltration had weakened the structure and washed out the mortar in the walls, resulting in bricks falling in June 2019. DPI has hired Grant Construction, a downtown business, as contractor and they are on target for completion of the structural integrity by the end of October 2020.
Next time you drive by, check out the new brick wall being built.
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144 Envelopes Campaign
The Annual 144 Envelopes Fundraiser Campaign is coming to an end. We want to thank all of those that supported our efforts!
The unique fundraising campaign encourages individuals and businesses to invest in the downtown Burlington Main Street Program, enabling Downtown Partners, Inc. to continue work facilitating building and business improvements, presenting special events, and beautifying and marketing the city center.
If you were not able to take part in the 144 Envelopes Campaign, but still would like to donate to the mission of preserving and revitalizing the downtown, donations are still being accepted. Contact Amy Moyner
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Jefferson Street Farmer's Market THANK YOU!
Thank you to all of our vendors and customers that made this year a success. The hard work, flexibility and patience of each vendor helped us navigate through unknown territory. We are thankful to have had locally grown produce and fresh baked goods each week in our downtown.
Thank you to all of our Market Sponsors:
Farmers Savings Bank
Alliant Credit Union
Connection Bank
U.S. Bank, N.A.
Follow Jefferson St Farmers Market on Facebook for updates
on the market.
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Jefferson Street Farmer's Market
We are beyond excited to be nominated in as your favorite place to buy produce in The Hawk Eye's Best of SE Iowa 2020! We couldn't have done it without our amazing vendors! If you agree, click the link below (Vote) and vote for us. You can vote once per day. Thank you!
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Other great things happening in downtown...
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The Port of Burlington Welcome Center has reopened their doors. For the remainder of 2020 the Welcome Center will be open Thursday – Monday, 10 AM – 4 PM. The store is available online. Items may be picked up on site or shipped to any destination in the U.S. Follow the Port of Burlington Welcome Center on Facebook to stay in the know of when new products are added.
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"The mission of Downtown Partners is to preserve and revitalize downtown Burlington by enhancing its economy, infrastructure,
and historical and cultural features."
A Main Street Iowa Program
An Affiliate Program of the Greater Burlington Partnership
RiverPark Place
610 N 4th Street, Suite 200
Burlington, IA 52601
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Downtown Partners, Inc.
Board of Directors 2020
Julie Lehman - Chair
Laura Beckman - Past Chair
Alliant Energy
Ryan Nagrocki - Treasurer
Midwest Realty Group
Megan Bell
PZAZZ! Entertainment Complex
Stephanie Brakeville
Klingner and Associates
Tom Burch
F & M Bank
Janine Clover
Small Business Development Center
Jim Ferneau
City of Burlington
City Manager
Zach James
Southeast Iowa Regional Planning Commission
Jerry Johnson
Capitol Theater
Vanessa Watson
Great River Health
Suann Wells
The Beancounter
Coffeehouse & Drinkery
Todd Darnall
McConnell Lofts
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