Downtown Development Authority

Newsletter

September 2019

First Thursday on the Bricks

Following the success of past events, plans for

September’s First Thursday on the Bricks are

underway. Scheduled for September 5th from

5pm - 8pm, downtown Ionia will be filled with

special family activities, extended shopping hours,

refreshments, music and more. An added feature

to the evening’s fun will include a chance to win

a basket filled with items and gift certificates

from district businesses. To be eligible for the

contest, fill your punch card by visiting the shops

as indicated. Cards will be available at The Jewel

Box is located at 324 West Main Street.

Historical Society Yard Sale

Don’t miss the Ionia County Historical Society Yard

Sale scheduled for Friday, September 6th and

Saturday, September 7th on the lawn of the

Blanchard House. Vendors have been waiting all

year to offer a great selection of vintage items,

re-purposed furniture, gifts and so much more. Do

you have a few things tucked away that need a

new home? If so, contact Barb at 522-0844 to

donate them to the sale. Shop from 9am to 3pm

each day and support the Historical Society and

Blanchard House restoration.

Ionia Farmers’ Market

The Ionia Farmers’ Market

continues to support area

vendors and customers

each Wednesday from

2pm to 6pm and Saturday

from 9am to 4pm. The cost per day is only $4 per

vendor space large enough for a vehicle and table.

The market is located on the corner of Steele Street

and Adams under the Robert Hoppough Market

Pavilion. The pavilion was built through donations

from the Hoppough family and the Ionia Rotary

Club in cooperation from the City of Ionia DDA.

Market on Main Open for Business

Market on Main is open for business and also

seeking vendors to rent available spaces

within the building. Farmer market vendors will

now have a location to sell produce throughout

the winter months. Located at 322 West Main

Street, the property will continue to undergo

restoration showcasing the original brick wall

interior. Owners will soon expand the business to

include soup, sandwiches and soft drinks. Market

on Main is open Monday through Saturday, 10am

to 6pm.

2019 Board of Directors

Mike Kirgis, Chairperson

Brett Patterson, Vice Chairperson

Dave Cook, Secretary

Tim Hemenway, Treasurer

Margot Cook

Paul Lentz

Mayor Daniel Balice, Ex-Officio

Contact Information

Director: Linda Curtis

Office: 203 W Main Street

(east of Ionia Theatre)

Mail: P.O. Box 496

Ionia, MI 48846

Phone: (616) 527-1420

Fax: (616) 527- 0810

lcurtis@ci.ionia.mi.us

www.cityofionia.org

DDA Board Meetings

Meetings are held on the third

Wednesday of each month at 8am

at City Hall, 114 North Kidd

Street. The public is welcome to

attend.

2019 Meeting Schedule

Regularly scheduled meetings of

the DDA are held on the third

Wednesday of each month at 8am

at City Hall located at 114 North

Kidd Street.

September 18

October 16

November 20

December 18

DDA Committees

The DDA welcomes new members

to their respective committees.

If you have an interest in special

events, promotion and marketing

or business development, please

contact us by calling 527-1420.

Upcoming Special Events

Each Wednesday

Ionia Commission on Aging

Luncheon - Take out style

Wednesday and Saturday

through October

Ionia Farmers’ Market

Monday, September 2nd

City of Ionia office closed for the

Labor Day holiday

Thursday, September 5th

5pm to 8pm

Thursday on the Bricks

in beautiful downtown Ionia

Friday, September 6th and

Saturday, September 7th

9am to 3pm each day

Annual Ionia County

Historical Society Yard Sale

Saturday, September 28th

Purple Week Car Cruise

in downtown Ionia

Wednesday, October 9th

5pm to 7pm

Ladies Night Out

Vendors located within the

Community Center / Armory

and Steele Street Hall.

Extended shopping hours for

downtown businesses.

Leida’s Sweets & Treats Back to School Special Friday, September 6th

99 cent donuts

Plain Cake White Frosted Cake w/ Sprinkles

Chocolate Frosted Cake Raised Glazed

Frosted Homer w/ Sprinkles

Chocolate Frosted Cinnamon Roll

Pre-orders available by calling 616.523.6822

Leida’s Sweets & Treats located at 313 West Main Street

You Can Make a Difference - Shop Local!

Yet another conversation with a downtown business owner regarding the

importance of shopping local. A customer stopped by their shop to let

inform them that she - the customer - drove approximately 30 miles to

purchase an item because the cost was $3.50 less than what it could be

found on Main Street. The customer felt her time and mileage were well

worth the trip. We as neighbors, family and / or friends of small business

owners must make it a point to shop local. Listed below are just a few

reasons that shopping local is so important.

• Shopping local creates jobs. The jobs created allow spending in the local economy and helps create even

more jobs.

• Local independent shops invest more in our community. They support local charities, schools, and

community events which financially impacts our community.

• Shopping local saves you money. Travel expenses and delivery costs for larger items make the overall cost

of items more.

• Shopping local retains our community. Without the support of shopping in the local community,

restaurants and services are forced to close.

• Shopping local retains our distinctiveness. Local businesses respond quicker to the needs of the customers

and stock products to meet the changing population’s needs.

• Shopping local helps reduce environmental impact. Local shops often stock more locally sourced goods

saving long distant freighting.

• Local shops can be easily reached especially for the elderly and young people and those without

transportation.

• Local shopping supports neighbors, friends and relatives.

Welcome to Main Street

Downtown Ionia is brimming with new faces, storefronts and shopping opportunities. Join us as we welcome the following to Main Street.

Cook & Co.

Peace of Time

Market on Main

Izzy’s Barber Shop (opening soon)

Ionia Lock & Key

Brick Street Photography (new location and grand opening)

Bitter Sweet (opening soon)

Emmons Style Event Rentals

Peace of Time

217 West Main Street (next to Aunt Stephie’s Restaurant)

Repurposed, antiques, and unique items

by owners / artists Tim and Stephanie.

(517) 526 - 1844

Visit them on FB at Peace of Time