Flourishing Downtown District in O’Fallon prepares for full slate of spring events
As the city prepares for what they hope will be an even bigger year for the O’Fallon Station and Downtown District, Sarah Burton is getting the Vine Street Market ready for its second spring through fall season, with a few special events planned earlier.
Saturday’s Leap Day Market and the Downtown District’s Treasure Hunt were encouraging successes, according to Jon Greenstreet, owner of Bike Surgeon and one of the Downtown District’s organizers.
“We had over 100 treasure hunters come through, and tons of young families. It was great for the Downtown District and for Bike Surgeon,” he said. “Vine Street Market rocked too with a great crowd all day.”
The ideas are flowing for what’s ahead. The Downtown District merchants are planning a Bunny Hop on March 14 and a Founder’s Day on June 2.
New signage downtown lets people know what’s upcoming on the calendar.
In its first full year open in 2019, the O’Fallon Station exceeded its goals, and 2020 promises to be on target for another terrific year for Vine Street Market, the farmer’s market that attracted thousands..
“The community has been so supportive,” Burton said. “The sheer amount of positive feedback has been great.”
She noted there is room for improvement, so she takes those suggestions under consideration too.
The city’s horticulturist and market coordinator, Burton said Vine Street Market will again open in May and close in October (May 9-Oct. 17). New this year will be cooking demonstrations and Fezziwig’s will offer “Let’s Go to Market” classes.
Mary Jeanne Hutchinson, director of the Parks and Recreation Department, which oversees O’Fallon Station and its rentals, including Vine Street Market, said the number and quality of venders has exceeded her expectations.
“Sarah has done a wonderful job and pushed us ahead by at least two-three years,” she said.
Burton said someone travels from Huntsville, Alabama, to attend the market, but they are drawing regularly from the metro-east and St. Louis, and the area east of O’Fallon, such as Clinton County.
Hutchison said she would like to see improvements and find more sponsors and volunteers to support the city’s mission.
Burton said more volunteer helpers would be beneficial, especially to help vendors pack up after the market closes.
“We have people help with load in, but afterwards, it would be ideal to get more help,” she said.
They also take suggestions on what to add.
Adding food trucks, attracting more sponsors
“Now we have to just keep improving the food,” Hutchison said.
Burton said they may be adding some food trucks on occasion. On Sept. 10, they are planning a Farm to Table Dinner at the Station. More details to follow.
Hutchison said attracting more sponsors will help with future activities.
“We continue to look at new types of fun things to do outside of Vine Street Market. Development of the Not Quite Westminster Dog Show is in its early stages, plus many other programs that may reach the actual event level. It is all about finding sponsors and volunteer support. For example, maybe Purina would help with our Not-Westminster Dog Show,” she said.
Hutchison praised Kathy Mordini of Avenue Realty for coordinating live music appearances during Saturday’s market.
“Of course, you cannot not love the music sponsor by Avenue Realty. She vets and puts that all together for us. That is one heck of a great volunteer,” she said.
Burton said Avenue Realty will again sponsor music, but also Bike Surgeon and Refinery Salon.
Greenstreet, who decided to offer food and drink at his business, Bike Surgeon, is expected to have that service ready by the end of March.
Third annual Bunny Hop event on the schedule
The third annual Bunny Hop is set for 9 a.m. to noon March 14 sponsored by the Downtown District and the Gateway Milers. Registration begins at 9 a.m. at the Masonic Lodge, 122 E. State St., $3 per person. Sixteen downtown businesses will be handing out Easter eggs with prizes, candy or coupons inside.
At the end of the walk, check back in at the Masonic Lodge. Those who visit all 16 merchants will receive a chance to win one of five $20 gift certificates to be used at one of the downtown merchants.
“This event is for all. You can walk the whole 5/10K or just meander through the merchants and join in the fun,” Greenstreet said.
The Masonic Lodge (the Bunny Hop registration location) will be host a breakfast from 7-10 that morning for $7.
Participating merchants include: Masonic Lodge, Kool Beanz, Art Gecko, The Bike Surgeon, Three Sisters Crafts, Destinations by Ellen, Avenue Realty, Sweet Katie Bee’s, Refinery Salon, Furchild, Fezziwig’s Marketplace, Courage and Grace, Skin Serenity, Alliance – Comics – Toys – Games, Parent Teacher Tools and Toys and O’Fallon Historical Society Museum.
Burton said she likes to see the foot traffic downtown, and the new signage recently installed will help. She is grateful for the merchants all working together.
“This experience has been amazing,” she said.
A regional award last fall recognized O’Fallon’s cooperative efforts in revitalizing and transforming the downtown business district into a hub of community activity and commerce.
The East-West Gateway Council of Governments presented one of its Outstanding Local Government Achievement Awards to the city, O’Fallon-Shiloh Chamber of Commerce and O’Fallon Downtown District at its annual meeting Nov. 13.
Representatives from the three civic endeavors received the Exemplary Collaboration, Partnership or Regional Initiative Award, which was given for the partnership the city, chamber and local businesses formed that has made downtown a destination.
“O’Fallon’s downtown is really special, and it continues to get better and better. There are a lot of people to thank and congratulate for winning this award but most of all we must thank the residents of O’Fallon for supporting their downtown,” Mayor Herb Roach said at the time of the announcement.
Committee formed in 2018 sets the wheels in motion
A Downtown Business Committee formed in fall 2018 to promote downtown together and see what ideas could work. Their goal was to create a coordinated strategy to revitalize downtown, after years of little attention and investment.
“We’ve had some neat things happen and we’re going to have a lot of cool stuff coming up,” Greenstreet said.
Roach has praised all the participants for coming together.
“This, to me, is one of the nicest awards we could receive, because it’s regional, and shows people working together for the betterment of the city. It’s nice to see everyone really working together to see what we can get done,” Roach said.
The Gateway Council took note of the downtown area being transformed into a flourishing hub of community activity and commerce.
“The proof is in the receipts: Over the past eight years, sales tax collected in downtown O’Fallon has increased by 177 percent and the food and beverage tax collected has increased by 134 percent,” the program stated.
“The coordinated approach from planning to action steps makes downtown’s resurgence from forgotten commercial corridor to a bustling hub energy and source of community pride a truly remarkable accomplishment,” the program stated.
Key initiatives on action plan
Key initiatives included the city commissioning a downtown action plan and established a Tax Increment Financing district for the area. Then, through the Destination O’Fallon economic development project, O’Fallon Station was constructed. The $1.5 million pavilion and gathering space was designed to hold events throughout the year, and opened last holiday season, but officially was ready in spring 2019.
The Vine Street Market opened in May, and the popular farmers market drew thousands every Saturday morning until mid-October.
The Downtown District’s branding and marketing were revamped and an online presence was established too.
The city added more than 125 paved and lighted parking spaces downtown to help with the parking demand and installed holiday lighting to help encourage new events during the Christmas season.
More information can be found at www.ofallondowntowndistrict.com