Winter Story Walk
January 21, 10 am - 2 pm
Downtown Partners, Inc. has partnered with the Iowa State Extension Office to bring an interactive story about a Snowman to Downtown Burlington.
This event is most enjoyed by kids 10 years of age and under and will lead the child throughout the Downtown into store fronts, while enjoying reading a story with a snowman theme.
It all starts with a snowman craft at the Art Center of Burlington, and ends with a Snowman movie at the Capitol Theater. This event is to encourage youth to read and make reading fun.
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The Holidays Are Over...
... but your Downtown merchants are still here! Winter weather and the post-Christmas lull can be challenging for our restaurants and retailers.
Here's a New Year's challenge for you; shop at least one new Downtown store and visit at least one new Downtown restaurant this month. Your local, independently owned businesses will really appreciate it.
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Looking at the Past... and Future
Although there were challenges last year, we continue to see the entrepreneurial spirit shine. Downtown's momentum is unstoppable.
At the beginning of a new year, it's fitting to look back on what has been accomplished. In 2022:
- Five businesses opened in the Downtown District in 2022 (Concordia Cigars & Wine, Heritage Garden Event Center, Gold Tooth Gallery, First Crossing, Lynne's Food Cravings)
- Downtown Partners, Inc. was awarded a grant for a Downtown Destination Brand that will be launched in February
- The Beancounter Coffeehouse & Drinkery was awarded the Open 4 Business grant through Main Street Iowa for $15,500 to bring Boba Tea to the Beancounter
- Three buildings sold in the Downtown District that have opened or will soon open unique businesses that will make the Downtown even more vibrant
- The Tama site will soon have residential units with commercial space on the first level
- Redevelopment continues at 100 N. 4th Street for new apartments as well as new first floor commercial spaces (Churchill Lofts)
- Downtown Partners, Inc. hosted 48 event days in the Downtown District
The community really showed up for Downtown in 2022! The passion the community has for Downtown was obvious in the attendance at events, and the interest in the Downtown preservation. This flourish of activity indicates the ongoing success of the Main Street approach to Downtown revitalization. Downtown Burlington has plenty of reasons to toot its New Year's horn a little louder in 2023!
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Eat, Drink & Shop in Downtown Burlington ALL Season Long!
Independent businesses are the backbone of Downtown Burlington. In fact, nearly all of the Downtown businesses are locally owned and operated. They are a big reason why Downtown Burlington is a distinctive destination. Downtown has things you simply cannot find anywhere else.
When you support a locally owned business, whether it’s a retail shop, restaurant, or professional service, you are directly supporting your own community. These businesses are owned by your neighbors - the people who have personally made financial investments in seeing Downtown succeed. They are entrepreneurs who know how important it is to have direct contact with their customers. They choose the merchandise, maintain the buildings, and pay the taxes. They are in business here because they believe in the community.
There are lots of great reasons to shop independent, and shop Downtown Burlington, including the unique products and personal services offered here. Build a strong town by keeping your dollars in the local community! Eat, drink, and shop LOCAL!
Come check out your local businesses - They look forward to seeing you!
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Donate to Downtown Partners, Inc.
When you support Downtown Partners, Inc. you are helping to make your favorite events even better while helping grow Downtown Burlington as a whole. Any support you can give helps our cause of making Downtown Burlington thrive.
Downtown Partners, Inc. is a volunteer-driven, Main Street Program established to preserve and revitalize Downtown Burlington, while improving the quality of life for the community. Main Streets are a proven economic driver for communities, and play a vital role in restarting the economy.
Downtown Partners, Inc. works hard to present special events, encourage building and business improvement, and beautify the city center. We hope you will show your support for our activities by contributing at a level that is meaningful to you.
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Downtown Partners Events for 2023
It's going to be a busy year!
January 21 - Winter Story Walk
April 2 - Spring Open House
May 4 - Jefferson St Farmers Market every Thursday through the end of September
July 15 - A Very Vintage Market
September 22 - Sip, Taste & Stroll
October 20 - Witches Night Out
October 27 - Downtown Trick or Treat
November 12 - Holiday Open House
November 25 - Lighted Holiday Parade/Small Business Saturday
December - Santa's Cottage opens
December 7 - Living Windows
December 9 - Holiday Downtown Market
Additional events may be added along the way!
Contact Downtown Partners at 319-208-0056 for information about any of these events.
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Ice Skating at Memorial Auditorium Arena
January 2023
Burlington Riverfront Entertainment is bringing Ice Skating to the Memorial Auditorium Arena in January (12-29)! This is the first of its kind in the region, a synthetic ice rink. Not only will this be available in January, but also will be back in June!
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Comedy Thursdays at Memorial Auditorium
Comedy Thursdays take place the first Thursday of each month at the Memorial Auditorium. On February 2 see Greg Warren & Sean O'Brien! For more information, please visit Burlington Riverfront Entertainment
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Leaving Abbey with Been There Done That
January 7, 7:30 PM
Leaving Abbey (Beatles with a rock twist) and Been There Done That (All female rock band) share the historic Capitol Theater stage!
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Watch Our Progress: Downtown Burlington Is Open for Business
TIGER Project work has wrapped up on the Riverfront, Main Street, and the 500 block of Jefferson Street for the Winter.
With all of the projects happening in the Downtown District, remember "We Are Open for Business". Come down and see
the progress for yourself! Stroll, shop, eat, drink, and enjoy the Downtown!
Follow the most recent TIGER Project updates at:
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Photography Lightbox Loans
Thanks to a gift from the Small Business Development Center, Main Street District businesses can borrow a lightbox from the Partnership.
Utilizing a lightbox enhances small product photography helping to maximize the effectiveness of your business marketing.
Take your product photography to the next level!
Call 319-752-6365 for more details.
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TIGER PRINTS
Tiger paw prints have been seen in Downtown Burlington! Don’t worry, there is not an oversized tiger on the loose, rather, the colorful paw prints encourage residents to eat, drink, and shop Downtown, while the TIGER grant redevelopment project makes its way down Jefferson Street.
The Downtown Partners, Inc. Design Committee has made it easy to follow the Tiger Prints to your favorite businesses in Downtown Burlington during the TIGER construction project. You will see more of these prints appearing as construction "roars" down Jefferson.
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Other great things happening in Downtown...
Holiday Events:
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Thank you to Premier Sponsor The Collective Food Hub for such a wonderful Living Windows event. Thank you to Standard of Beaverdale for sponsoring the horse and trolley rides and Farmers & Merchants Bank & Trust for sponsoring the ice sculpting. There are so many hands that help make Living Windows such a success. Thank you to the volunteers, businesses and community organizations that have created such wonderful memories Downtown!
Thank you to the Volunteers!
- We are so thankful for the wonderful volunteers and supporters. Downtown Partners, Inc would not be able to host all of the events, give the tours, and make Downtown so vibrant without you! THANK YOU!
- Many thanks to outgoing Downtown Partners, Inc. board members Jerry Johnson and Dianne Smrdel. Their service has been instrumental in making Downtown Burlington a better place for all.
Don't miss all of the fun at the Art Center of Burlington
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Visit the Art Center of Burlington for winter classes, new art installations, and events for a date night, girls night out, or family fun!
Market Season is just around the corner
Downtown Loan Guarantee
The Port of Burlington Welcome Center is open Sunday – Saturday, 10 AM – 4 PM. The store is also 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 when new products are added.
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"Downtown Partners, Inc. is a volunteer-driven Main Street Program established to preserve and revitalize downtown Burlington while improving the quality of life for the community."
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 2022
Mercedes Ponce - Chair
Titan Broadcasting & Digital Group
Todd Darnall - Past Chair
McConnell Lofts
Tom Burch - Treasurer
Farmers & Merchants Bank & Trust
Todd Ackerman - Chair Elect
World Insurance
Kansha Tiwari
Southeast Iowa Regional Planning Commission
Brittany Jacobs
Burlington Public Library
Lynda Graham-Murray
City of Burlington
Elizabeth Pappas
Art Center of Burlington
Vanessa Watson
Great River Health
Suann Wells
The Beancounter
Coffeehouse & Drinkery
Alec Cornick
Universal Fitness
Angie Hedges
Heritage Hill Wellness
Chelsea Stevens
Burlington Vintage & Co.
Jerilyn Horn
Jerilyn Horn Kitchen & Bath Design Company
Jessica Gerling
City of Burlington
Chad Bird
City of Burlington
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