downtown (adjective): "of, in, or characteristic of the central area or main business and commercial area of a town or city"

2007: Year in Review

JANUARY

• General membership meeting held January 15th.
• Kristina Clark of Edward Jones Investments resigns from Executive Board and DLBA membership to move to Grand Rapids, MN to continue her work there with the Edward Jones Company.
• The 2006 Year in Review presented to the membership.
• Dates announced for upcoming events: Lakeville Chamber Landscape and Home Expo April 14th; Ironman Bike Ride April 29th and Downtown Dash on September 15th.
• Announcement that Hockey Development Center coming to former Enggren’s grocery space occupying 27,000 square feet.

FEBRUARY

• General membership meeting held February 20th.
• City of Lakeville staff presents the 2007 recommended action items for the Downtown Development Guide Plan.
• Dairy Delite business is for sale.
• Metro Equity Management acquires the Juniper building formerly occupied by Vineyard Cottage/Design Your Wine.
• Porch….for your home to expand its space in the Rod Borg building; Marquis Home Zone will open in space adjacent to Porch.
• Red Hat Boutique in process of rebranding and will add “Whimsy” to the business mix.
• DLBA initiates the donation of used cell phones, blackberries, etc. for the Community Action Council’s use in assisting residents in their B. Robert Lewis homes. Girl Scout Troop 24102 is partnering with the DLBA and will arrange donation/pick up sites.

MARCH

• General membership meeting held March 19th.
• Metro Equity Management moves their corporate offices to Lakeville Mall.
• DLBA will partner with Lakeville Teen Corporation in sponsoring Battle of the Bands during the Pan-O-Prog event on July 5th.
• City of Lakeville holds open house for Central Business District businesses and residents to review plans for the 2008 Comprehensive Land Use Plan Update.
• The name of Enggren’s Mall to change to Holyoke Plaza.
• A bridal shop to open on both floors of the former Juniper building.
• Monthly membership meetings change from noon to 10:00 a.m. to accommodate more retail business representatives.
• Paul Krause is the new owner of Dairy Delite.
• Lakeville Planning Commission holds public hearing on proposed Holly’s Centre Stage Dance project.

APRIL

• General membership meeting held April 16th.
• Ironman Bike Ride held on April 29th with over 5200 riders. DLBA sponsors sale of commemorative pins.
• The CAC cell phone donation begins and will continue for a two-month period.
• Barger’s Salon celebrates its 20th anniversary the week of April 16th.
• Downtown planters to be planted and delivered to main street locations by Pahl’s Market.
• Discussions underway with Hockey Development Center (HDC) and Metro Equity Management to purchase and install a literature rack at HDC to promote downtown businesses.
• City Council approves Hewitt’ Centre Stage Dance application for new building.

MAY

• General membership meeting held May 21st.
• Hockey Development Center opens its doors.
• Stonebrook Family Chiropractic begins business in back space of Larry Werner building.
• 2007 Calendar of Events distributed.

JUNE

• General membership meeting held June 18th.
• Tenants in Holyoke Plaza - Lakeville Jewelers, Insurance and Vacuum companies vacate their premises.
• St. Paul Farmers’ Market opens June 20th.
• The Trinity Singers from Trinity Evangelical Free Church perform at first Wednesdays on Main series on June 27th.
• St. Paul Farmers’ Market reaches attendance of over one thousand people on June 27th.

JULY

• General membership meeting held July 16th.
• Group advertising program “Discover Historic Downtown Lakeville” is implemented with the Star Tribune.
• Battle of the Bands event held July 5th during Pan-O-Prog event.
• Vandalism occurs at Pioneer Park Plaza on July 12th destroying flowers planted in the park and planters and tossed in to the fountain. Officer from city meets with membership regarding security guidelines.
• City amends its sign ordinance allowing “For Sale” and “For Lease” signs to remain in place even if property is sold or full. Ordinance allows sandwich boards requiring businesses to apply for an annual permit from the city.
• Tracy Hummelgard announces expansion plans in which she will take over the Thisweek/ Life & Times newspaper offices and add Mainstreet After Hours to her business. An application will be made in the future for a beer/wine license and an outdoor patio is planned.
• The Loft Bridal opens for business.
• Barger’s Salon closes for a week of remodeling.
• Murray Wilson, manager of the Dakota County Heritage Library, joins as a partner with the DLBA.
• Wednesday on Main events:July 11th – Los Mensageres Mariachi Band and July 18th - Babe Taylor Country Band.

AUGUST

• General membership meeting held August 20th.
• Metro Equity acquires vacant house on 207th and Holt Streets to allow expansion of parking lot across from the post office.
• Thisweek/Life and Times Newspaper moves its offices to its corporate offices in Burnsville to allow for Hummelgard’s business expansion.
• Downtown Dash event begins receiving registrations for the September 15th event.
• Harvest Festival scheduled for Wednesday, September 19th with activities and entertainment booked.
• Recap of Wednesdays on Main series presented to membership:
  • June 27 Trinity Singers; food served by DLBA.
  • July 5 Battle of the Bands – in partnership with the Lakeville Teen Corporation during Pan-O-Prog celebration.
  • July 11 Fiesta Night – Los Mensageres Mariachi Band; tacos donated by Teresa’s Mexican Restaurant.
  • July 18 Babe Taylor Country Band; food donated and served by Rudy’s Redeye Grill.
  • July 25 Family Night – Will Hale & The Tadpole Parade Band; food served by the DLBA.
  • August 1 Sock Hop – Quality Sounds Entertainment and Southern Cruzers Classic Car Show; food served by the DLBA.

SEPTEMBER

• General membership meeting held September 17th.
• City Council calls for public hearing to be held October 15th on Special Service District No. 1 service fees.
• Discovery Financial Centers and Integra Health Care to expand their offices in Lakeville Mall.
• Kazolly’s Sweet Shop to open in Holly Hewitt’s new building in late 2007.
• Downtown Dash, on September 15th, has 70 runners, triple the attendance from previous year. Lakeville Rotary Club provides twenty volunteers and was the beneficiary of the funds earned from the event for their STRIVE program.
• The DLBA brochure is reprinted with an updated business list.
• Harvest Festival scheduled for September 19th.

OCTOBER

• General membership meeting held October 15th.
• Metro Equity Management announces plans for a proposed Market Park that will include a plaza providing a permanent home for the Farmers’ Market and other events. The project to be located at 208th and Holyoke Avenue also includes commercial development.
• City staff and Holly Hewitt under discussions regarding control and maintenance for public parking in areas behind the Ben Franklin store.
• City Council holds public hearing on the Special Service District budget and service fees on October 15th.
• DLBA annual report presented to City Council.
• Holly’s Centre Stage Dance officially opens October 22nd.
• DLBA planters removed from main street.
• Date of Holiday on Main announced – December 1st.
• Member placards with the DLBA web site provided to members to promote DLBA and its members.
• Harvest Festival is a big success: Activities and entertainment include the Kemp’s “Moo” Mobile, the MW Johnson Petting farm, ECFE Parent Advisory Board activities for children, Story Time hosted by Heritage Library, Hermey the Clown, Amphibian and Reptile Discovery Zoo, the Teddy Bear Band and hot dogs/brats served and sold by DLBA volunteers.

NOVEMBER

• General membership meeting held November 19th.
• New roof being installed on Holyoke Mall.
• Announcement of Whimsy/Red Hat Boutique closings its doors by end of year.
• Kingway Chiropractic moves into space formerly occupied by Stonebrook Family Chiropractic in Larry Werner building.
• Schedule of events and entertainment for Holiday on Main presented.

DECEMBER

• General membership meeting held December 17th.
• Kazolly’s Sweet Shop opens in Hewitt building on December 1st.
• Announcement made that Kris Aunan, owner of Porch….for your home, will be opening a second business in downtown Lakeville in early 2008 to be known as Fairfield Trading Company.
• Expansion of Discovery Financial Centers is complete; Integra Health Care’s expansion continues.
• Pearl Light Nails undergoes renovation.
• Holiday on Main slide show presented by President Smith. The day’s activities included: Santa, Mrs. Claus, Reindeer, Trolley Rides, Face Painter, mural color-ing, Letter to Santa, ECFE Parent Advisory Board Book Fair and Vendors’ Boutique, cookies, orange drink and distribution of goody and Santa bags. Per- formances provided by Lakeville North H.S. Now and Then Singers, Lakeville South H.S. Encore singers, Carillon Children’s Choir, Trinity Singers, Century Middle School’s Dolce Singers and Flute and “18610” Select Ensembles and Kenwood Trail Middle School’s Treble Singers and Kenwood Kats. Offsite events included activities for children sponsored by the ECFE Parent Advisory Board held at the Community Education building, the Senior Center Holiday Bazaar and food sales, an Art Exhibit and Sale at the Lakeville Area Arts Center and retailer specials and promotions. Metro Equity Management sponsor a Snowman coloring project that results in hundreds of snowmen pictures being displayed in vacant windows along main street.

The Downtown Lakeville Business Association special service district is a non-profit organization supporting the preservation and redevelopment of historic downtown Lakeville. Questions? Comments? Please email Judy Tschumper, DLBA Executive Director.