ASHLAND — Downtown businesses were showcased during Ashland Main Street’s annual meeting and awards dinner on Monday at A-Town Tap.
Sandra Tunnell, the organization’s director, said she’s proud of the organization that started in 2011 after a countywide strategic plan revealed the desire.
“When we first started, people wondered ‘why would anyone want to come downtown?’ Now, they really want to be here,” she said.
The perception is a testament to the fact that downtown’s storefront occupancy is at a whopping 97% today, she said. In Ashland Main Street’s first year, the rate was 75%.
She estimates that high occupancy rate translates to roughly $40 million that came into the Ashland County community last year.
In the future, she envisions more growth in Ashland’s downtown spaces by having business owners who are invested in the longterm.
“I think there will be a lot more focus on ‘how do we take spaces not used for a very long time and how do we make them viable into the future?’” she said.
South Street Grille pulled in two awards and Tom McGee, a longtime member of the Ashland Planning Commission, received the Foundation of Ashland Main Street Award. The recognition is earned by someone who has been an integral part of Ashland and downtown development.
Results of the voting in the online submissions on the Ashland Main Street website are below.
• Best Downtown Member Bar/Restaurant: South Street Grille
• Best Downtown Member Retail Business: Fig & Oak
• Best Downtown Member Professional Business & Services: Splat Hair Design and Massage
• Best Downtown Customer Service: Blue Pumpkin Boutique
• Best Downtown Rehab – 2022: South Street Grille patio remodel
• Favorite New Kid on the Block: 419 Barbershop
