Main Street Group Receives Funding to Fill Storefronts

Main Street Willow Springs, a not-for-profit group dedicated to the preservation and development of downtown Willow Springs, has recently received funding from Missouri Main Street Connect, said board member Mary Jones. 

The grant is called “Activation of Storefronts” she said, and it provides the means to present examples for the types of businesses that could be housed in vacant storefronts downtown. Willow Springs is one of eleven communities in Missouri to receive this funding in hopes of inspiring potential business owners with storefront displays. 

Their first display represents an upscale secondhand clothing boutique. In three months, they will switch the display to an outdoor outfitter’s shop. 

“It’s to show what’s possible in that space, just to give people ideas, just to fill the storefront,” Jones explained. 

If the displays help to initiate a sale of the building, Main Street Willow Springs will move on to dressing a window in another vacant storefront until the funding runs out. After the display has been up for a month, the group will meet with the building owner and realtor to assess the progress. 

According to Jones, this project is one of many irons in the fire for her group. They are working with another organization called Community Matters which will provide training with experts to help the group develop a brand for Willow Springs. 

“Anybody who has a stake in the community is welcome (to the training),” Jones said. 

Training and the presentation of expert opinions will take place in Willow Springs on September 23 and 24.