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Main
Street Lincoln plans
annual Business Nexus
[OCT.
7, 2000]
Main
Street Lincoln will host the annual Business Nexus on Friday, Oct.
13, from 5 to 7 p.m. at The Restaurant at the Depot in downtown
Lincoln. The program is being sponsored by Logan County Bank, State
Bank of Lincoln, Union Planters Bank, Illini Bank and the city of
Lincoln. This year's Business Nexus, themed "Developing Your
Dream," will not only open the door for potential owners but
also challenge business leaders to pursue additional successes.
Anyone interested in community growth, opening a new business or
expanding a current operation should plan to attend this informative
and free event.
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The
first hour of the evening will give those attending a chance to
visit tables manned by financial, government, business assistance
and retail service agencies and socialize with their peers. Hors
d'oeuvres will be provided and a cash bar will be available.
Keynote
speaker Jay Matson will begin his presentation at 6 p.m. A
question-and-answer period will follow. Matson brings more than 20
years of restructuring experience to share. He was instrumental in
the National Trust's "Main Street" pilot program after
Galesburg was selected as one of three demonstration sites in the
country.
Like
many Midwestern communities in the mid-’70s, downtown Galesburg
witnessed the demise of its historic retail center when a new
regional shopping center opened on the edge of town. Mass
merchandisers and fast food restaurants followed. Soon what was left
appeared to be a never-ending rash of business closings and empty,
neglected storefronts.
Against
this background, it was a radical and high-risk notion when Jay and
his wife, Mary, purchased a block of decaying buildings on a
dilapidated side street. Their revitalization plan called for
opening restaurants, promoting the area’s railroad and heritage
tourism, and serving as an incubator for independent specialty
businesses. At the time, many considered it to be a crackpot scheme.
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top of second column in this article]
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Today,
the resulting Seminary Street Historic Commercial District is the
city's largest tourism attraction and one of the major destinations
in western Illinois. The Packinghouse Dining Company, located in the
former meat processing plant, has received national exposure from
articles in the Wall Street Journal, New York Times and Chicago
Tribune. The three-block area thrives, with restaurants, a bakery,
winery, pub, coffee roastery, antique mall and over 20 specialty
shops, as well as the Galesburg Railroad Museum. The restoration and
revitalization of Seminary Street has been synonymous with
innovation, originality and entrepreneurship. Its award-winning
merchants organization has been acknowledged for its cost-effective
marketing and promotional strategies.
As
a consultant to the National Trust for Historic Preservation and the
Illinois Main Street Program, Jay has shared his knowledge with
numerous cities and downtown organizations. He brings practical,
hands-on experience which will address a range of business topics
and issues, including business recruitment and retention, tourism
development, community events, promotions and marketing.
For
additional information on the "Developing Your Dream"
Business Nexus, call the Main Street Lincoln office at 732-2929.
[Main
Street Lincoln news release]
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