Spring 2015 - Downtown Wapakoneta Partnership

Spring Edition
February - May, 2015
Leaving a Legacy of Renewal
Downtown Improvements Many Under Presar’s Leadership
Encouraging,
enhancing and
promoting a viable
social and economic
downtown district
Committed, energetic, enthusiastic and spirited are
Under Presar’s leadership,
words which describe Downtown Wapakoneta
several DWP goals were identified and reached,
Partnership’s outgoing President Judie Presar. But those
including the Façade Improvement Program, a project of
words would just be scratching the surface. Spend just a
renewal. This was arguably the most ambitious goal,
few minutes with Judie and you will quickly realize she is
pumping over $84,000 into restoring, preserving, or
a woman with a passion for people and for her
renovating historical downtown buildings in just a two
community.
It is that passion to see Wapakoneta
year period.
Other accomplishments included
improve and prosper which became her guiding
developing and maintaining a DWP volunteer office staff
motivation as president of DWP.
and the creation of committees to see projects to
fruition.
Successful plans to target business for
Having been in and out of retail since she was a
downtown buildings are ongoing, and a plan
teenager - she had worked at GCMurphy’s
to establish a go-to volunteer with
and Herwig’s Drugstore in downtown
information about business-ready buildings
Wapak and was later co-owner of Dream
is developing.
Keepers - it was her latest venture into retail
with daughter Jackie Martel at Casa Chic
In her final address as president of DWP,
and her involvement with WASS which
the excitement Presar has for the direction
eventually led to her position at the helm of
Downtown Wapakoneta is going was
DWP. At that time under former president
unmistakable, commenting,
“I love the
Dianne Knipp, DWP was evolving into a
heartbeat that spreads throughout this
true partnership between, among others, the
community.”
Wapakoneta has certainly
City of Wapakoneta, the Chamber of
benefitted from that love and dedication.
Commerce, the Wapakoneta Area
Taking over for Presar is Landa
Economic Development Council, the
Tomlinson, co-owner of Casa Chic. “I’m
Wapakoneta Antique and Specialty Shops, Judie Presar, left, and very honored to have been chosen for this
and most importantly Wapakoneta’s citizens.
Landa Tomlinson
position. We’ve had amazing past presidents
Presar utilized her passion for the Downtown
who have built up DWP to where it is today. I
area to strengthen that partnership and bring
really hope to keep that momentum going full
about improvements from which all Wapakoneta
strength and continue to build partnerships that will
residents have benefitted. “We are working hard to
benefit all of Wapak,” said Tomlinson. Tomlinson plans
maintain the momentum we’ve developed with so many
to continue to strengthen partnerships, build a support
people. It is truly a partnership. When a need arises, the
group, and work to have Wapakoneta designated a Main
DWP steps up to meet that need and get it done. What’s
Street City. With Presar as her mentor, she is up to the
really great is the entire community benefits,” says Presar.
task.
DWP, P.O. Box 1604, Wapakoneta, OH 45895
419-738-6807 www.downtownwapakoneta.com
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The Wapakoneta Antiques and
Specialty Shops (WASS), works
to promote, provide and
improve the small-town
shopping experience. WASS
member shops include Auglaize
Antique Mall, Casa Chic, Dad’s
Toyshop, Riverside Arts Center,
Relics, Village Green Floral &
Garden Center, Thrifty
Treasures, Gild the Lily,
Everyday Furniture & More,
Marley’s Downtown Restaurant,
and Cloud Nine Cafe. Join us!
Wapakoneta Antiques and Specialty
Shops Kick Off 2015 With 2nd
Annual Bridal Show
Bridal Fairs are one of the most
convenient ways to learn about a multitude
of bridal event options in the shortest
amount of time. From wedding dresses to
cakes, smart couples utilize bridal fairs to
make shopping for services a fun and
efficient experience.
In large cities, brides have
opportunities to attend “Mega Fairs”, but
these can be a bit overwhelming. The
Wapakoneta Antiques and Specialty Shops
have come to the rescue! Brides are invited
to attend the WASS Second Annual Bridal
Show, a boutique bridal show which offers
a more leisurely event with vendors specific
to our region. You will get to spend quality
time with each vendor, experiencing with
your senses what you miss by looking
online or in brochures. You get to taste
and see cakes, try on the veils, smell the
flowers, examine ideas for wedding favors all in one venue.
Get healthy and get in shape for the big
day with products and healthy lifestyle
advice from Level Thrive, Lavish Salon and
Spa, It Works, and others. There will also
be many vendors available who can
pamper you as your day draws near.
Vendors who offer the best in hair styling
for the wedding party as well as pedis,
manis, nail wraps, and do-it-yourself gel
nails and natural-based pampering
products will be available for you to talk
with.
Vendors such as Origami Owl, Just
Because Gifts and more will be available to
help you meet your jewelry and gift needs
for all those in your party.
Lockets,
earrings, bracelets, unity candles, purses,
tote bags, and jewelry candles are all ideas
for the wedding party.
Check out invitations, music and photo
booth offerings from Motteriffic Music, and
cakes from vendors such as Sprinkles
Cupcakes and Cookies. Simply Elegant
Formals and other attire vendors such as
Kakes & Dreams Bridal Exchange will help
you affordably choose just the right attire,
while Knoch Photography will capture
memories for a lifetime. Vendors offering
ideas for venues and where to reserve
blocks of rooms for those out of town
guests will also be available.
Be sure to get your ticket checked by
each vendor for the chance to win one of
over 16 door prizes! New this year will be
the opportunity to win a basket filled with
gifts from each WASS business. Visit WASS
merchants within two weeks for the chance
to win!
Join us February 21, 10 am to 4 pm, at
t h e Wa p a k E a g l e s, t o s e e w h a t
Wapakoneta’s downtown stores can do for
you to plan your special day.
Future WASS 2015 Events For Your Calendar
Derby Days
$ May 2
DWP, P.O. Box 1604, Wapakoneta, OH 45895
Artisans Street Market
Holiday Open House
Summer Moon Fest, July 18
Nov. 6, 7, 8
419-738-6807 www.downtownwapakoneta.com
Village Green Floral
and Garden Center
Welcomes Spring In Style
Meeting your landscaping, holiday decorating, floral
and gift needs with artistic flair
Fo r p eo ple living in or near
Wapakoneta, Village Green has long
been a great place to get landscapes
ready for spring. But a quick trip to
Village Green Floral and Garden Center
will tell visitors they offer so much more.
In addition to expert landscape design
and installation as well as all the garden
supplies one might need to turn a yard
into pure beauty, Village Green also
offers fresh and silk floral arrangements
(that’s right, they do weddings and
f u n er a ls ! ), and person al holiday
decorating.
Owner and Landscaper Gretchen
Sheely has spent many years in the
horticulture business. She loves working
with her many clients, and especially
loves that sense of accomplishment
when the job is complete. “I get so
involved with the project, I really have a
sense of ownership with it!”, says Sheely.
And it is that sense of ownership which
translates to quality work every time.
No project is too small or too large,
and projects can be done in segments to
make it more affordable. Customers
may participate as much or as little at
they wish in seeing the project to
fruition, which is a great option. After
listening to a customer’s ideas and seeing
the layout of the property, Gretchen
corroborates with computer expert
Lindsay Wisener to create a computer
generated plan that will give customers a
better idea of the finished project.
Gretchen and crew will complete the
project according to customer wishes.
Garden supplies are in abundance,
from chemicals and fertilizers to pots,
statuary, water fountains and trellises.
There is also a great gift shop to help
customers find just the right gift for
those on their list. In fact, Village
Gree n ha s b e co m e a C h r i s t m a s
shopper’s destination.
Co-owner Blaine Kohler has been
interested in floral design since he was a
teenager. A graduate of Ohio State’s
College of Food, Agricultural, and
Environmental Sciences (ATI), a
professor once told Blaine he wouldn’t
want to be a landscaper because Ohio
landsca pe r s s p e n d t h e i r w i n te r s
shoveling snow. So Blaine worked for
several florists. When the opportunity
to own Village Green came along, Blaine
was able to put his natural artistic
abilities to work, expanding Village
Green’s offerings to include beautiful
individualized wedding and funeral
arrangements with fresh or silk flowers.
Blaine will also create fresh or silk floral
arrangements and wreaths to perfectly
fit your interior decor.
Another great option for customers
is Village Green’s holiday decorating
service. Blaine and crew can decorate
the inside and outside your home with
your d eco r a t i o n s .
D o n’t h a v e
decorations? Village Green has a variety
from which to choose. Yes, they even
put up outdoor lights. Best of all, you
can arrange for Village Green to take
your holiday decorations down. If
necessary, they can even store them for
you till they are needed again!
To
learn
more,
go
to
www.villagegreengardencenter.com, or go
to their Facebook page. You’ll be glad
you did!
DWP, P.O. Box 1604, Wapakoneta, OH 45895
419-738-6807 www.downtownwapakoneta.com
village_green_floral_bouquet
DWP Annual Meeting and
Dinner Focus Is Appreciation
DWP Board members present
include from left: Judie Presar, Kris
Ruppert, Sandy Davis, Chris
Niekamp, Landa Tomlinson, Carolyn
Schneider, Barbara DeNisco, and
Chris Burton
Some Award Recipients
Include:
Joe Quick, owner of The Concrete
Protector located in the renovated
Fi$h Third Bank building
Village Green’s Blaine Kohler, left, and
Gretchen Sheely, right, receiving
certificate from Greg Myers
Kris Ruppert, representing Roots and
Shoots, an organization which cares
for downtown planters and baskets
Concept Of Partnership Is Key To Success
Featured prominently in its name
is the word, “Partnership,” and the
concept of partnership was evident
throughout the proceedings during
DWP’s Annual Meeting and dinner
hosted at the Eagles February 10,
2015.
First on the agenda was a Special
Awards Presentation given by
WAEDC director Greg Myers to those
who, through their partnership efforts
have helped to improve Downtown
Wapakoneta. Special Merit recipients
included business owner Joe Quick of
The Concrete Protector for choosing
Wapakoneta for his corporate
headquarters.
Preserving the
historical appearance of their
buildings also earned The Hern Law
Office and Jamie Metzer’s Interior
Motifs Merit certificates. Certificates
of Appreciation were extended to
Roots and Shoots, Village Green, and
Wapakoneta’s Electrical Department
for their efforts to make Downtown
an attractive place to work and visit.
Following the awards presented by
Myers, Presar mentioned the
many new businesses which have
come to the downtown area, such as
Adrienne’s Herb Shoppe, Everyday
Furniture and More, Winding Road
Sales, Jeanease’s Christian Books &
More, and The Concrete Protector.
Other businesses opening in the
future will be The City Bakery,
Simplee Sweets, and J. Marie’s WoodFired Kitchen and Drinks.
Introductions of DWP’s incoming
president, Landa Tomlinson, and the
DWP board were made, followed by
committee reports.
According to
Tomlinson, Downtown Wapakoneta is
in a strong place, and residents will
continue to see more and more
improvements largely due to the
strong belief that in working together
as partners Wapakoneta will continue
to become an attractive and enjoyable
place to live, visit, and shop. These
efforts of so many volunteers and
business owners continue to pay big
dividends in revitalizing Wapak’s
Historic Downtown district.
Registration for July 18, 2015,
Summer Moon Festival Cra!s and
Artisans Street Market Available
A popular event of Wapakoneta’s Summer
Moon Festival is its Crafts and Artisans Street
Market, scheduled for Saturday, July 18.
This
Market features booths from regional artists and
crafters, antique dealers, Riverside Art Center, many
home based businesses, and Farmer’s Market
vendors.
To be a part of this exciting street market,
registration forms are available. Vendor spaces are
approximately 10‘x10’, and rent for $20 each.
Multiple spaces are available. Setup begins at 6:30
am, and Market hours are 9:00 am to 5:00 pm.
Fo r a d d i t i o n a l i n f o r m a t i o n , e m a i l
[email protected], or contact Judie Presar
at 419-738-8858. Join in the fun!
DWP, P.O. Box 1604, Wapakoneta, OH 45895
President:
Landa Tomlinson
V. President: Sandy Davis
Past President: Judie Presar
Secretary:
Donna Parsons
Treasurer:
Carolyn Schneider
Board Members:
Chris Burton
Barbara DeNisco
Sue Seisel
Randy Fisher
Chris Niekamp
Kris Ruppert
Dianne Knipp
Ex-Officio Members:
Greg Myers
Josh Hines
Rodney Metz
419-738-6807 www.downtownwapakoneta.com