By LESLIE EIKLEBERRY
Salina Post
MCPHERSON -- Helping its member businesses recover from challenges presented by the COVID-19 pandemic recently got a little easier for McPherson Main Street.
Last week, the National Main Street Center (NMSC) announced that McPherson Main Street was one of eight Kansas recipients of $3,000 from the Union Pacific Kansas Main Street Recovery Fund, a grant program to support the economic recovery of Kansas downtowns and commercial districts impacted by COVID-19. This program is made possible by Union Pacific, and grant funds will go toward implementing ideas for marketing or promotion to help commercial districts reopen safely.
“We are thrilled to provide support to these Main Streets to help ensure Kansas downtowns and commercial districts remain vibrant in the months and years to come,” said Ben Jones, senior director of public affairs at Union Pacific. “Our employees live and work in these communities, and we believe these projects will have a positive impact, igniting the economy as we recover from the pandemic.”
Grant project ideas were judged based on how they would contribute to commercial district recovery efforts, as well as their community impact after the initial project implementation. Recipients are all designated Main Street America communities and recognized Union Pacific communities.
McPherson Main Street's project is "Shop the Night Away - Paws-itively Purr-fect," a downtown shopping event from 4-9 p.m. on July 10, Ann Engel, McPherson Main Street executive director, told Salina Post.
"The funds will be used for marketing the event as a boost to restart our McPherson Main Street member businesses," Engel said.
"In addition to the UP grant award of $3,000, since we were in the top four, we were also awarded a one-on-one tech support from National Main Street Center field services staff and a one-year membership in Main Street America," she added.
Engel said it is too early to determine whether the downtown businesses will come out of the pandemic shut-down intact.
"Did any businesses not re-open after the shut-down was removed? Yes. A couple did not, but many are still in early recovery mode, and I believe it will take us all as a community to help them pull through," Engel said.
Finding creative ways to weather the pandemic
Even through the most restrictive parts of the pandemic shut-down, McPherson Main Street businesses found creative ways to generate revenue, Engel noted.
"Well, I am most definitely not impartial, but I truly believe that we have some of the most dedicated, hard-working and creative business owners that exist anywhere, right here in McPherson, Kansas, and I am proud to be able to help them succeed in any way possible," she said.
Engel said that one example of a creative member business was Twice Told Tales, a used bookstore.
"As a non-essential business, and a low price point business, she was really struggling. She would do 'browsing' posts of specific sections and feature books and info about that section. She also offered 'Mystery Boxes' where she put together a bag of like-themed books based on customer interests," Engel said. "She found several online partnerships like Libro.fm, an audiobook service that supports independent bookstores, as well as delivery and curbside pickup."
Another member business, The Cook's Nook, had to cancel its in-store cooking classes, and instead provided live video posts of the classes and offered specials on ingredient packages along with the recipes, she said.
"They also created a group for cooks and featured a weekly spice and asked members to share their recipes that included the featured ingredient," Engel said.
"The Stone Chimney, a home décor store, did live weekly sales and increased their shipping and online orders. The list goes on!" she said.
Additionally, McPherson Main Street worked to help its member businesses during the shut-down, Engle noted.
"We created a Support Local BINGO card for shoppers that included a variety of options and ways to stay connected. We shared daily posts from businesses on our Facebook page to help them showcase their services available and feature products," Engel explained. "We also worked with other groups on contests where winners received gift cards to various businesses. There were many businesses that stepped up and bought local gift cards and created unique ways to give them out."
McPherson Main Street also provided grant funding to businesses that had not received federal aid, thanks to partnerships with a local foundation and several other organizations, she said.
About the McPherson Main Street businesses
Engel said McPherson Main Street has 125 member businesses.
"We have a great variety! We have entertainment options with a movie theatre, the Opera House, outdoor concert areas; a variety of local restaurants -- Mexican, Chinese, Italian, deli, burgers, American diner, retail with clothing boutiques, jewelry, accessories, western wear and boots, bridal and prom wear, games and toys, floral, home décor, gifts, grilling, hardware and tools, cookware, food and seasonings, health supplements, outdoor and indoor furniture, electronics, appliances, just about anything you need!" Engel explained. "There is also a nice mix of service businesses; insurance, medical related, accounting, printing, financial, legal and design."