|
At MKS Jewelers, the mayor read a proclamation recognizing the 25th
anniversary of the business and presented a key to the city to owner
Melody Shew. While on the tour the aldermen and mayor asked the
merchants if there was anything they would like to say or if there
was anything the storekeepers wanted them to know.
David Lanterman at Beans and Such asked what goals are set to
accomplish the survival of downtown. He asked aldermen to think how
to bring business downtown and keep people here.
At Mary Todd Hallmark, Julie Tarter said her first concern was to
put a stop to allowing peddlers to come in on temporary permits that
are good for a few days. They take business away from local
businesses, she said. They get an inexpensive permit, come and go,
and this hurts the mainstay businesses that support our town, she
said.
Another thing she said was that she understands that the new
west-side growth is important to Lincoln, but it would be sad to see
downtown storefronts fold.
"What do you want us to do for you?" Marty Neitzel asked her. "We
can all vote yes to something, there's a lot of yeses here, but we
have to know what it is you want us to do."
Tarter said, "When there is an issue that comes up that affects
us in the downtown, contact us and ask us our opinion." Often the
busy storekeepers hear about something after it is voted on, she
said.
Merle Norman shares space with the Hallmark store, widening the
store's diversity of items, including exclusive clothing.
At Simonson Floor Coverings, Mrs. Simonson said that she and her
husband believed in Lincoln enough to raise their family downtown.
The family lives above the downtown flooring business at 221 N.
Kickapoo St.
[to top of second column]
 |
At Serendipity Stitches, owner Jeannie Xamis wanted the men to
notice that they offer a lot more than things for women. The
business offers custom framing and much more. At Action Rental,
Roger Matson wanted everyone to know that they aren't just a rental
business, they offer retail sales also, and he explained the great
plasma TVs that they have available.
At Abe's Carmelcorn Shoppe the group saw the production area
where candies and popcorn are made. Derrick Crane was impressed with
the kitchen. He said that there were a lot of bags of popcorn up
there, far more than he expected. The business prepares most of
their products in the kitchen here in Lincoln. They have a store in
Peoria, as well as a thriving Internet-based shipping business.
The Treasure Chest is another business that was visited. Some
aldermen were surprised to learn from Barb Reinwald that a lot of
the quality-crafted items available in the shop are made locally.
The businesses visited included:
If you haven't been downtown lately, it is a pleasant trip, even
after hours, to see some great storefronts that are decorated for
the holidays. It's a place where friendly storekeepers are happy to
see you, and there's a lot to choose from.
[Jan
Youngquist]
 |
