This time a year ago I, along with city staff, was in the midst of meeting with a number of community members, gaining feedback and ideas for the future of downtown Grinnell. This joint effort of the chamber and city led to the approval and subsequent implementation of the Grinnell Downtown Plan. For nearly a year now, our staff has been hard at work to make progress on some of the items on this list: from gathering spaces to destination events, a parking assessment to hospitality training and a signage program to recruitment efforts, we have occasionally found ourselves coming and going. But we're on our way to accomplishing many items on this list, and just this week our chamber ambassadors and community members officially helped welcome Sunrise Bakery to the Grinnell business community.
Sunrise Bakery, located at 934 Main Street, is a direct result of the feedback we received during the meetings when participants listed a bakery as one of the top new businesses they would like to see in downtown Grinnell. Along with the brewery, which opened across Main Street earlier this fall, it's exciting to see some of the ideas we heard so much about taking shape. I am anxious to continue our work in the coming months to establish more of the programs that were part of the downtown plan, and develop more of the opportunities mentioned by many of our community members.
You may be asking 'What's Next?', and let me assure you there is still a lot to do. But if you or someone you know is interested in any of the projects we identified as priorities for downtown, please get in touch so we can find ways for you to be involved! You can view the full downtown planning document here.
Pictured above: Sunrise Bakery owner Melissa Vine cuts the ribbon as chamber ambassadors and community members welcome this new business to Grinnell.
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