February 2025

Director's Message

Amanda Everitt

We were incredibly lucky to celebrate with our SID property owners, business owners, volunteers, community leaders, and member at our Annual Gathering at the end of January. If you were unable to attend, please CLICK HERE to enjoy award-winner videos, our major donor music video (that's right, that's how we roll), and to take in the impressive accomplishments of 2024. It is worth noting that this high-quality production would not be possible without the incredible talent and support of Innerphase Video. Having a local production company of this high caliber is not something that every community enjoys.  

This year, for the first time ever, we were able to raise $10,000 at the Annual Gathering, in large part thanks to the generosity of small businesses and donors. THANK YOU to everyone who made this possible!

Get ready to start seeing a lot more of your DDL staff; with the organization now being fully staffed, we will have more time to address your needs. Who does what? Let's have a look: 

Jean Comer is a full-time employee who works part-time for Destination Downtown Lancaster, and part-time for Visit Fairfield County. That means she is the first face anyone sees when they walk in the door and the person who answers the phones, manages all of the scheduling, and ensures the office runs efficiently. She is also the point person for the Hometown Hero Banner program. Need a meeting with any of the staff members? Give Jean a call and she can get you on our calendars.

Email Jean at info@destinationdowntownlancaster.com

Sarah Mullins is BACK as our permanent, part-time marketing specialist. The newsletters, social media, and all graphic design work for print materials will be executed by Sarah. Get ready for even MORE marketing of the district and your businesses (remember to use the Business Resource page to tell us what you want marketed!) Email Sarah at marketing@destinationdowntownlancaster.com

Margie Kunkler is celebrating her 10th year with DDL as our part-time downtown beautification specialist. Margie is responsible for keeping the sidewalks clean, the tree wells maintained, and the SID trash cans emptied. If you have a maintenance concern in the area, call us at the office or email info@destinationdowntownlancaster.com and we will address your concerns or needs.

Alex Kirchgessner is celebrating one year at DDL (WOO HOO!) and she manages all things event related, as well as the membership and sponsorship programs. Whether you want to get involved with events or want to take a deeper dive into your membership benefits, your best bet is to start with Alex.

Email Alex at Alex@destinationdowntownlancaster.com

Have available space that you want to get rented? Want to brainstorm how to make the most of your property? Looking to enhance your business offerings? That is when you call me! If ever you have questions, concerns, or ideas around downtown safety, sidewalk maintenance, business recruitment and retention, local, state, or federal incentives or policies, I'm your person. Keep me up to date on all things impacting your business and I can act as your advocate in the community and within local and state policy spaces. I also manage the contracts for snow and ice removal, and recycling in the blue bins throughout the SID.

Email me at amanda@destinationdowntownlancaster.com

Stay in touch with us and see the difference it makes for your business; we can't wait to connect soon!

See you downtown, 

SHOP HOP SIGN-UP DEADLINE

Friday, February 14th

Participate in Downtown Lancaster's Shop Hop to encourage people to get out of their winter funk and come downtown to support your business. Kicking off March 6th through 8th, 2025. We are asking businesses to be creative and think of an event, special, deal, or giveaway that will encourage folks to visit you during this three day event. DDL will market this event and share your promotions! As always, if you need help brainstorming promotion ideas, feel free to reach out to us.

We will create a Shop Hop guide (available online and distributed to participating businesses) for attendees and when they make a purchase at your business they will ask you to stamp their guide. Once they've received at least 3 stamps, they can leave their guide with any participating business for us to pick up and will be entered into a drawing for a chance to win a gift basket full of downtown goodies.

Participation Fee for DDL Members: A gift card or product for your business valued at at least $25 (We will package up all the goodies of participating businesses as the grand prize for the drawing of shoppers)

Participation Fee for non DDL members: $50

Deadline to Sign Up: February 14th, 2025

Chocolate Walk Sign-Up

Be a host location for Chocolate Walk and entice people into your business to see what you have to offer. You will be included on the walking map with the description of your delectable chocolate offering. This year's event is on Friday, April 4th, 2025. 

Each attendee will check in with DDL to receive a wristband, chocolate walk bag, map, and any additional event information. Participating businesses will need to come up with and prepare 450 chocolate treats to give away; feel free to purchase or make your own chocolate (if you purchase chocolate, please shop local)! Participating businesses will also need to be open from 4pm - 7:30pm. If you're not sure what your chocolate item will be, please sign up now and we will follow up with you closer to the event.

Participation Fee: Free for DDL Members or $25 for Non-DDL Members 

Deadline to sign up: March 1st, 2025

If your business is a Champion member or above, CLICK HERE to get 2 free complimentary Chocolate Walk Tickets. 

Chocolate Walk Tickets will be on sale this Friday, February 7th. Members can use the code "CHOCOLATE" for $5 off your ticket.

ArtWalk 2025 Artist Host Application

Destination Downtown Lancaster partners with the Lancaster Festival to host the ArtWalk each year as part of the Lancaster Festival's ten-day celebration of the arts. The 2025 festival is July 24th - August 2nd, 2025. Our goal is to provide visual artists with a platform to share their talents and gifts to enrich the lives of the community members. ArtWalk is the biggest night in downtown where the crowds reach thousands and local businesses are paired with artists for this annual opportunity. 

If you would like to host an artist, or multiple artists/group at your business for ArtWalk, you must submit an ArtWalk Host application.

Participation Fee: $75 for DDL Members or $100 for Non-DDL Members

Deadline to Sign Up: Friday, February 19th, 2025 at NOON

Calling All Women of Downtown

Female Leaders in Downtown Lancaster...

We want to feature you!

In Honor of Women’s History Month, we will celebrate the women of Downtown in two ways:

Women's History Month GlamBot | March 2025

Celebrating the Women Who Lead Our Community

As we celebrate Women's History Month, we're excited to shine a spotlight on the incredible women leaders shaping the heart of our downtown Lancaster community. To honor their achievements, we're introducing a unique, glamorous experience—our very own "Glambot." Inspired by the glitz and glam of red carpet events, this experience is designed to highlight the strength, diversity, and power of women in our community.

What is the Glambot?

If you’re not familiar with the "Glambot" experience, take a moment to witness the magic [CLICK HERE]. This is your chance to be part of something special, capturing the essence of the amazing women who are making a difference downtown.

How You Can Participate:

All we need from you is a few minutes of your time! Strike a pose, bring your incredible women colleagues, and let’s create a dynamic video that celebrates the formidable women in our community. Your participation will contribute to a powerful video highlighting the women who are making an impact in downtown Lancaster. Please review the Sign-Up Genius by clicking the button below and sign up for the date and time that works best for you and your business.

Email Sarah Mullins at marketing@destinationdowntownlancaster.com with any questions.

Nominate a Downtown Female Leader | March 2025

Community members are inspired by the leadership and dedication that the women of Downtown put in every day. We want to highlight these women on our social media channels. We need your help!

Each week in March we're highlighting women in the downtown district who are paving the way for generations of women by breaking molds, glass ceilings, and economic barriers by changing the conversation circling female history makers.

If you are or know someone downtown who is a great role model and deserves to be recognized for the positive effects they have within our community, please take a moment to fill out the form below as soon as possible.

Deadline for Nominations: February 26th, 2025

Double Edge Brewing Presents: Women's Day Brew Collab Celebration

Dear Exceptional Female,

Join Double Edge Brewing Co. for our 2nd Annual Women’s Day Brew in celebration of International Women’s Day for March 8th, 2025.

Last year, we created the hit Hop Flashes, and due to its demand, we’re brewing it again! Led by Head Brewer Dominic, this hands-on experience will guide you through every step of the process. A light lunch will be provided. We ask you to bring waterproof footwear. 

Details:

• Wednesday, February 12th
• Double Edge Brewing Co.
• 9.00am - 1.00pm

Who can join? We are welcoming any and all female employees of downtown businesses. The more the merrier. 

*They understand that this is a big time commitment. Please feel free to come and go throughout the day as your schedule allows.

RSVP: To secure your spot and be part of this exceptional collaboration, please RSVP to Max@double-edge.beer. 

Let's create history together in the spirit of friendship, empowerment, and great beer. They look forward to raising a toast with you on International Women's Day!



Downtown SID Board Meeting

SID Board Meeting

January 14th | 3pm | Park National Bank Conference Room, Downtown Office 143 West Main Street

The Downtown Lancaster Special Improvement District Board meets quarterly on the second Tuesday of the month at 3pm. These board meetings are open to all SID property owners. The next meeting will be on Tuesday, January 14th at 3:00pm. Email Amanda at amanda@destinationdowntownlancaster.com with any questions or concerns.

Downtown Business Meeting

Next Downtown Business Meetings

April 10th | 9:00am Provisions Bakery & Deli

April 10th | 4:30pm O'Huids Gaelic Pub, The Snug

Thanks to your feedback, we continue to offer two different opportunities for you to participate in the Downtown Business Meetings, one in the morning and one in the afternoon. Mark your calendar now to join us at either 9:00am on Thursday, April 10th at Provisions Bakery & Deli or later on the same day at 4:30pm at O'Huids Gaelic Pub in the Snug.

The Downtown Business Meeting is a way for DDL to bring all the businesses of the district together. The purpose of the meeting is to provide a space for you to stay connected and up-to-date on things happening downtown. We use this time to share important information and resources to all member businesses in the district. 

The calendar invite has already gone out, if you did not receive the google calendar invite, please reach out to alex@destinationdowntownlancaster.com.

Small Business Development Center

FREE Virtual Training Events

Click the link below to explore SBDC training events that are provided at no-cost to assist you and your business, and to register for any of those free trainings.

Follow SBDC on Facebook by clicking HERE.

Upcoming Events