The Downtowners’
City Center Newsletter
July 7, 2011
What You Will Find…
□ New Kids on the Block
□ Downtown Updates
□ Upcoming Events
□ DBA Association News
New Kids on the Block
New and Expanding Businesses Downtown…
If you build it, they will come. DowntownBismarck is experiencing a host of new and exciting energy.
Space Aliens BBQ Pit: Owner Mort Bank is converting the Mr. Delicious space into a more BBQ focused Space Aliens. Look for the fast casual restaurant to be open mid September.
Hey Ocean: Owner Michelle Smith Kaufman recently open this West Coast Clothing and Lifestyle store on the 200 Block of Broadway Ave. Kaufman brought the space back to its original flooring and tin print ceiling.
JL Beers: This small but potent beer and burger restaurant has inquired about the former Bain Agency building on N 3rd St. They’ve asked the city to look at minimum seating requirements and allow the restaurant an exemption. Their Downtown Fargo location has seating for 24 but enjoys a large take out business as well as 32 beers on tap. They have also expanded to West Fargo,Moorhead, andGrand Forks in the last year.
Blarney Stone (expansion): The Irish Pub located onMain Ave purchased the adjacent building earlier this year. Owners are looking to expand the pub and kitchen. Look for the addition to be open late summer or early fall.
Rhythm Records Music Café: Owner Robbie Montgomery is currently rehabilitating a storefront on the 200 block of Main Ave which will become a record store and downtown hangout. There will also be live music and refreshments.
Also coming or recently opened: An Amish Furniture Store coming on 4th and Main, Lot 2029 Boutique on N 4th St now open. Possible development on 508 EMain.
Ribfest: A huge THANK YOU!
Supporting our Downtown event…
The Downtowners Staff and Board would like to thank everyone for coming out and supporting the Downtowners Ribfest 2011! To our sponsors, we couldn’t have done it without you! Your contributions and support make this event possible. And our hard working (and sunburned) volunteers! We literally couldn’t put Ribfest on without all of your help, with a staff of two you make us feel like a Downtown Army! See you all next year!
Downtown Updates
-At the June Renaissance Zone Authority meeting, Steve Pine’s large scale project on the former Wilhelm car lot was approved and later approved by the city commission. It will go on to the State for approval. Another recent RZA approval is a Bed and Breakfast just west of the Bismarck Library.
-Anyone interested in spaces for purchase or lease downtown can check out our website’s Real Estate Section. www.downtownbismarck.com
– The Bismarck Parking Authority board has announced a summer parking ramp special from now through August 31. Print out a voucher from their website and use it as you exit the ramp to park for free. The voucher is valid for the 3rd and Main ramp from 4pm to 4am to promote using the ramps in off peak hours. Follow this link to print a voucher to save in your vehicle for later!
http://bismarckparkingauthority.com/?id=79
Upcoming events
July 7
1st Thursdays: Alive After 5!
DowntownBismarck
July 8-10
PrairieRoseStateGames
July 14
Urban Harvest
4th and Broadway
July 15-18
Jesus Christ Superstar
Sleepy Hollow Theater
July 20-24
Capitol Shakespeare Presents:
“Romeo & Juliet”
Shade Tree Players
Summer Performance Schedule
Downtowners’ Association News
Organization and member news …
□ Congratulations to members Greg Vetter and Rox Erhardt on their promotions with American Bank Center!
□ The Bismarck-Mandan Chamber of Commerce will be having another informational session for businesses with flooding issues July 27. Representatives from FEMA and the SBA will also be there.
□ Dacotah Speedway has named member Bismarck Cancer Center’s Foundation as the beneficiary of their Drive to Survive Cancer benefit. Purchase a Drive to Survive T-Shirt and get in to the races FREE on Aug 19! There are also other fun activities that will support the BCC Foundation. Contact the BCC at 222-6100 or Ken Hoff at 391-6211.
□ The Downtown Walking Maps have been finished; we will be making our way around to all the businesses that participated and delivering the new maps! Special thanks to Luke Graner for his beautiful work. You can also view it on our website.
□ Street Fair Applications are still being accepted. Most acceptance packets have been mailed. Visit the Street Fair page of our website to download your application! www.downtownbismarck.com.
The 38th Annual Downtowners Street Fair is Sept 16-17.
□ Please contact the Downtowners’ if you haven’t received your renewal notice or if you have run out of spaces on your membership plaque for your 2011 tag.
Please send all member business news and events to: kate@downtownbismarck.com. Check the Downtown Business Association’s websites for updated news and events www.downtownbismarck.com or www.bismarckribfest.com
Please forward this on to people interested in Downtown news!