WELCOME TO THE INAUGURAL EDITION OF THE DOWNTOWN MESQUITE UPDATE
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Congratulations! You are one of the first people to be part of another new development for Downtown Mesquite - our inaugural Downtown Mesquite Update!
This newsletter will provide you with information on downtown revitalization advances, including new businesses, events, volunteer activities and more.
Just as importantly, we're going to put the spotlight on businesses and people who have been part of the community for years and will be at the heart of downtown's future.
Help us spread the word about Downtown Mesquite by sharing the Update with your friends.
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Farmers, Artisan Market Opens for 2019 Season
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The MarketPlace, Downtown Mesquite's own artisan and farmers' market, is open for 2019!
Every second and fourth Saturday, enjoy produce, artisan goods, food and more at this popular open-air market that is open from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Heritage Square, 223 W. Davis, in Downtown Mesquite.
The Marketplace will take 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Heritage Plaza, 223 W. Davis, in the heart of downtown. Want more info? Visit their website by clicking
here.
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We love historic photos of Downtown Mesquite!
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Can you guess when and where this photo was taken? Visit our
Facebook page
to join the conversation about this image as well as many other photos from the history of our downtown!
Photo credit: Holley McWhorter Greenhaw Collection/Frank W. Greenhaw Archives, Dallas Public Library, Texas Dallas Division, used by permission
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First Lady Abbott to Visit Downtown Mesquite
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The First Lady of Texas will celebrate our downtown's designation as a Texas Main Street program area at a ceremony set for Thursday, May 16 at 2 p.m., at Heritage Square, 223 W. Davis.
For 30 years, it has been a tradition for the state's First Lady to honor new Main Street communities with a special ceremony followed by a public reception.
"We are so pleased that the First Lady is traveling to Mesquite to honor our efforts and officially kick off our downtown revitalization program," said Mesquite Downtown Development Advisory Board President Brad Brandt, who added, "our volunteers will be hard at work with City of Mesquite staff to make this a very special chapter in our downtown history."
The public is invited to attend the outdoor ceremony, which will last approximately one-half hour. A reception will follow.
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What is the Main Street Program?
Downtown Mesquite has been designated as a Texas Main Street community, but what does that mean?
Main Street is the nation's most successful approach to downtown revitalization. The magic lies in a volunteer-driven approach that encompasses four critical areas of focus - Design, Economic Vitality, Organization and Promotion - that directly address market positions determined through assessment of assets and opportunities. See more at the National Main Street
website and the Texas Main Street
website.
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Downtown Mesquite Businesses Celebrating Landmark Anniversaries
Hometown businesses are the heart and soul of any downtown, and two of our Downtown Mesquite businesses are celebrating decades of serving the community.
Mesquite BBQ is celebrating an amazing 60 years in business as a family owned and operated restaurant. Enjoy one of their legendary dishes at 145 E. Davis St., and take a look at this
video profile of the business that was produced as part of the city's Small Business Week celebration in 2018.
If you haven't taken the opportunity to peruse the amazing book and vinyl collection at
Paperbacks Plus at 108 E. Davis St., you need to correct that and soon! And while you're there, congratulate this much-loved business on its 45th anniversary!
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Downtown Business Profile: Windsor Florist
Our Downtown Update will focus on the people who make our downtown neighborhood great: our merchants, volunteers and friends. First up: Windsor Florist and the business owner, Helen Ethridge:
Q: How long have you been in business?
A: 20 years
Q: Describe your business
A: Florist and gifts
Q: Best-kept secret about your business?
A: Our business was named after the Queen of England!
Q:What is your vision for Downtown Mesquite?
A: To make the downtown area more attractive and attention-getting to our entire community. To offer our residents a reason to visit the downtown area due to dining choices (inside and outside facilities), to host/attract/sponsor family functions and events, to sponsor the arts and music entertainment with local and area artists and musicians, to attract additional businesses that will enhance the walk-in traffic to all businesses in the downtown area.
See Helen and all of the fine folks at Windsor Florist at 201 W. Main in Downtown Mesquite. Visit their Facebook page
here
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Want to see your favorite Downtown Mesquite business profiled in the Update? Send your suggestion
here
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Mesquite Meander Historic Tour Set for May 17, 18
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The Ninth Annual Mesquite Meander, an entertaining and informative tour of our community's past, is set for May 17 and 18 at the historic Mesquite Cemetery.
Actors will portray figures from Mesquite history and tell their stories on tours that are scheduled to begin every 10 minutes.
Friday's Meander is set for 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.; Saturday's Meander will run 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m.
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Barber's Ink Featured in Small Business Week Video
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Downtown's own Barber's Ink and its owner, Marcus Brandon, are featured in the City of Mesquite's Small Business Week videos filmed with Mayor Stan Pickett. Marcus and three other local businesses were honored for their participation in the videos at a City Council meeting on Monday, May 6.
Visit this link
to see Marcus and the mayor in action!
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Texas Main Street Training Sessions Begin for Downtown Volunteers
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Texas Main Street staff members recently offered in-depth training on design, economic vitality and promotion to Downtown Mesquite advisory board members and volunteers.
These training sessions help volunteers create project strategies that are based on factors determined through analysis of demographics, market gap and more. This is the first of many services the Texas Main Street Program will offer to us in terms of economic development, historic preservation, design and promotion of Downtown Mesquite.
The TMSP staff also conducted a training session for City of Mesquite leadership.
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Front Street Station Project Set
to Begin Late Summer 2019
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A number of citizen stakeholders have worked hard with City of Mesquite staff to design the first phase of infrastructure improvements for Downtown Mesquite. Click on
this link
to recent press coverage about Front Street Station.
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#DowntownMesquiteTX
New Downtown Mesquite website coming soon!
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