ASHLAND — Ashland Main Street saw seven new businesses open in downtown in 2023, launched Ashland’s Designated Outdoor Refreshment Area (DORA), hosted numerous events and received statewide and national recognition for its work.
Executive director Sandra Tunnell rattled off the list of achievements at the organization’s annual meeting and awards ceremony Monday night. The event celebrated the organization’s accomplishments and recognized member businesses for their offerings to Ashland.
“The whole idea of a Main Street is that it’s the heart of a community,” Tunnell said. “That’s what we do.”
Tunnell highlighted that Main Street’s work wouldn’t be achieved without its board members and volunteers. In total, volunteers donated 4,868 hours toward activities, events and projects in 2023.
The organization also signed a contract in November to start using Placer.ai software, which allows it to track data of who’s entering stores in downtown Ashland. That data can then inform local business owners about their clientele.
Believing in us
Part of Monday’s event was also dedicated to recognizing those who’ve helped Ashland Main Street over the years.
Tunnell started the awards portion of the evening by thanking Barbie Lange, an outgoing board member.
According to Tunnell, Lange was the Ashland Area Chamber of Commerce’s president when Ashland Main Street began. Lange let the organization join the Chamber for free. She also enthusiastically raised support and fundraised for Ashland Main Street in its early days.
Tunnell gave Lange a “believe” bracelet.
“You always believed in us,” Tunnell told Lange.
For Lange, serving on the board and watching Ashland Main Street grow has been a privilege. She said she plans to stay busy, and feels excited that a new set of ideas will take over.
Lange added that Tunnell has done a tremendous job with growing the Ashland Main Street organization.
“She gave it everything, absolutely everything,” Lange said. “She hasn’t left anything on the table.”
Tunnell also received a surprise recognition from Debbie Brown, the owner of Enjoy! Floral & Gift Boutique at the end of the night. Brown said her business has lived in downtown Ashland for 25 years.
Before Tunnell and Ashland Main Street entered the scene, Brown said, events happened in a patchwork way. There weren’t many shops, and there were no places to eat.
“What a beautiful ride it’s been to see the downtown go from nothing to a place that other communities and towns are now looking at us to recreate in their towns,” Brown said. “We are now leaders, not followers.”
Award recipients
Ashland Main Street also gave out six awards to local businesses, along with a “Foundation of Main Street” award.
Ashland citizens had the chance to vote for their favorite local businesses on a Google Form put out on Ashland Main Street’s social media accounts.
The “Foundation” award was presented to a board member who has been “instrumental” to the organization, Tunnell said. Fellow board members voted on that award.
The award recipients follow:
Best Downtown Member Bar/Restaurant
South Street Grille
Best Downtown Member Professional Business and Services
Ashland Theatre
Best Downtown Member Retail Business
Ashley’s Candy and Nut Shoppe
Best Downtown Customer Service
Shearer Creations
Best Downtown Rehab in 2023
Ashland Theatre
Favorite New Kid on the Block
Shearer Creations
Foundation of Main Street
Rick Ewing
Accepting the awards on behalf of the Ashland Theatre, Mayor Matt Miller said he was grateful for generous people in Ashland.
The theatre, which completed renovations and opened in May 2023, took $4 million of fundraising to become a reality. It won a Heritage Ohio award in October for Best Theater Renovation.
Miller said it’s amazing that people came together to provide that service to Ashland.
Shelby Shearer, who owns Shearer Creations, also said she was grateful for her two awards. She felt excited about both, but especially about her award for customer service.
“That’s something I strive for,” Shearer said. “We’re definitely here to make an impact and we definitely want to still be best customer service next year.”
