The largest group so far met at Elements for the February 24 Reimagine Tour. Brenda Watson, Elements’ new owner, gave a tour of Elements – the updated décor, the bar with rare whiskeys and your usual favorites, the adjoining event space, and the kitchen where their enthusiastic chef served up bacon wrapped date appetizers.
Marta Tarantsey, former DMA Board Member and Regional Development Officer for Business Oregon, led the tour with interesting information on the various spaces toured. Building owners were available to answer questions at some of the locations, and tour participants eagerly contributed what they IMAGINED would fit into the space and be successful in downtown – restaurants, retail, family activities, ice cream, candy, a selection of small shops/businesses. The possibilities were endless.
Four empty spaces just waiting for new tenants and new businesses for people to enjoy were on the tour:
This was the second of three Reimagine Tours. The third one takes place on Thursday, April 9, from 3-5:30pm. All Downtown Medford supporters are welcome. For more information or to RSVP for the tour, contact:
Annie Jenkins, Executive Director, Downtown Medford Association | Email
The Reimagine Tours are aligned with DMA’s Storefront Activation Program.
Downtown Medford Association’s Storefront Activation Program (SAP) is a low-cost, high impact initiative that has recently gotten underway to pair entrepreneurs and small local businesses with downtown property owners to decrease the vacancy rate in downtown.
The Storefront Activation Program will:
- Activate 3-5 vacant storefronts located in the DMA designated area
- Provide Medford entrepreneurs and small businesses with an opportunity to open a storefront shop downtown
- Help property owners of vacant commercial buildings market vacant spaces to help prospective tenants
The SAP supports DMA’s efforts to revitalize Medford’s downtown corridor by strengthening current businesses, activating street-level storefronts, and improving the overall appearance of the corridor by adding a visual richness to the walkway. The program will also aim to increase walkability of streets for pedestrians, attract more customers to existing businesses, market available commercial properties, and promote Medford to prospective businesses.
The City of Medford has allocated $25,000 to Downtown Medford Association from the Council Community Initiative Fund (CCIF) for this project.
DMA is pleased to announce that the first grant under the Storefront Activation Program has been awarded to Sean Rimes and Paradise Footwear – opening March 3 in the former Norris Shoes location at 221 East Main Street.
If you have a vacant storefront in downtown or you are a business interested in help getting started in downtown, or just want more information, please contact:
Annie Jenkins, Executive Director, Downtown Medford Association | Email