Meet the faces of our downtown storefronts. The people who have the stuff it takes to make a small b
11/22/2021
Know the faces, learn their stories. This Saturday, Nov. 27 is , so and !
This coming Saturday is , where we're all encouraged to shop at local, independent stores. This is a cause close to our hearts at O'Connor Connective.
During the height of the pandemic, we created Downtown Faces Forward with several area partners to raise awareness and support for downtown small businesses by featuring the people behind the storefronts in a social marketing campaign. Get to know some of the faces and stories behind downtown businesses before you head out this Saturday (and beyond) to shop! ❤️ 🛍️
By visiting the Downtown Faces Forward page, you can gather some inspiration or ideas on where to shop this holiday season to help support those faces and stories behind the local storefronts.
03/11/2021
Exciting news! O'Connor Connective has been awarded the 2021 Rivett Award of Excellence by AAF Fox River Ad Club for Downtown Faces Forward! To celebrate, here are a few more fabulous photos of participating businesses that continue to face forward.
Greene's Pour House / Photo by Image Studios
Northern Tide Tattoo / Photo by Alexis Arnold Photography
The Cozzy Corner / Photo by Image Studios
Broken Spoke Bikes / Photo by Mark Hawkins Photography
Read more about the community impact of this social responsibility campaign at aaffoxriver.org/2021-rivett-award-of-excellence/.
PPP reforms address the small businesses who have been unable to attain enough funding. The reform continues to leave some businesses out.
12/18/2020
Thank you, Mayor Boyd, for continuing to promote downtown business owners as they face forward this season!
12/10/2020
This Saturday, join Future Neenah to win a FREE holiday tumbler as Downtown Neenah continues to face forward during the holidays!
Spend just $20 Downtown Neenah between 10:00am-2:00pm on December 12 and bring your receipt(s) to the Future Neenah office to receive a FREE holiday tumbler! Must be present and one per person. Limited supply available.🎄
Many thanks to 4imprint! ❤
11/25/2020
Join Appleton Downtown's 9$20 challenge to support local and make a difference in your community. (Details below.)
11/19/2020
Our downtowns continue to face forward! Check out Definitely De Pere's inspiring challenge to choose local.
10/12/2020
Quality brands from the U.S. and Canada make J.Hawkinson Clothiers at 10 E. College Ave. inside City Center in downtown Appleton a unique shopping experience. The store continues to take pride in its customer service with new ways to stay “close”—engaging people with Facebook Live fashion shows, teaching scarf-tying techniques and demonstrating how to pack a small carry-on bag for a weeklong trip! “While the pandemic continues, we still want to help people feel good about what they wear and receive compliments because their clothing is unique and fits perfectly,” store manager Lisa McGinnis said. Learn more about this downtown business that is facing forward on Facebook at .
Photos by Kim Thiel from Crimson Creative Group
10/09/2020
Foxley's Art and Framing has been a fixture on the west end of Appleton’s College Avenue since 1984. The gallery, located at 623 W. College Ave., is a family business with a goal to provide the area with the best in art, framing and service. “Many people have made home improvements during the pandemic, and the team at Foxley’s can help,” owner Eric Miller said. “We specialize in curating art to help others make their spaces more comfortable and enjoyable.” Learn more about this downtown business that is facing forward at foxleysartandframing.com.
Photos by Kim Thiel from Crimson Creative Group
10/08/2020
Katsu-Ya of Japan, located at 338 W. College Ave. in downtown Appleton, is part of a family-owned business that started more than 30 years ago. “We like to share our Japanese culture that we love so much with Appleton by offering many dishes and styles of Japanese cuisine that my family and I truly enjoy,” manager Lisa Nakashima said. The entire staff is dedicated to keeping guests and employees as safe as possible. “We would like to thank everyone who has supported small businesses through this tough time. We appreciate everyone so much,” Lisa said. Learn more about this downtown business that is facing forward at nakashimas.com.
Photos by Kim Thiel from Crimson Creative Group
09/10/2020
After closing due to a building fire in March 2019, Author’s Kitchen + Bar moved and re-opened at 125 E. College Ave. in downtown Appleton during the pandemic. This entailed a small staff learning to offer curbside pickup while working to meet customer expectations with two delivery partners, Food Dudes Delivery and EatStreet. As the stay-at-home orders changed, the restaurant slowly increased dining and bar capacity inside and then outside. Chefs and co-owners Matias Whittingslow and Josh Sickler enjoy having guests dine in. “It has been so nice to see food on plates and not in boxes,” Whittingslow said. “Our guests seem really happy and appreciative to be out, and that feels great.” Learn more about this downtown business that is facing forward at authorskitchenandbar.com.
Photos by Kim Thiel from Crimson Creative Group
+Bar
09/01/2020
Family owned since 1939, Appleton Bicycle Shop a friendly neighborhood store originally opened by Clarence and Evie Hinzman. Since then, five generations of Hinzmans have led the operation, including son Paul, recognized around town as “the bike guy.” Along with her brother Paul, Gwen and her husband, Joe Sargeant, operate the store in downtown Appleton at 121 S. State St. with the help of their children. “When the lockdown first occurred, we were considered an essential business and remained open,” Gwen said. “We soon saw many new and returning customers requesting delivery and using car-side pickup.” New store hours accommodate for additional deliveries and cleaning procedures. Learn more about this downtown business that is facing forward at appletonbike.com.
Photos by Kim Thiel from Crimson Creative Group
08/27/2020
Wayne Kozlowski and Dan Sullivan, co-owners of Faces Eyewear at 10 E. College Ave. in Appleton’s City Center Plaza, started the business 24 years ago to bring unique, quality eyewear from small independent companies to the Fox Cities. “We have reopened since Safer at Home with slightly modified hours,” Wayne said. “It’s a priority to sanitize all frames as well as frequently disinfect common surfaces. Our team adheres to the American Optometric Association and CDC guidelines.” Learn more about this downtown business that is facing forward at faceseyewear.com.
Photos by Kim Thiel from Crimson Creative Group
08/20/2020
As an independent pharmacist serving the community for over 30 years, Jude P. Jean-Pierre, RPh, was excited to bring a unique brand created locally to downtown Appleton with RxLink University Pharmacy & Sports Nutrition at 133 E. College Ave. The pharmacy has remained on the front line as an essential business during the pandemic, providing the best pharmaceutical care for patients and the basic needs of the community. "We had to adjust during the Safer at Home order, delivering PPEs and prescription medications to our patients in the Fox Cities and also providing curbside services,” Jean-Pierre said. “CDC guidelines continue to be followed with face masks and social distancing as we journey together to defeat COVID." Learn more about this downtown business that is facing forward at RxLinkPharmacy.net.
Photos by Kim Thiel from Crimson Creative Group
08/17/2020
With its normal business model being 40 people painting, drinking and having fun in one room, operators of Pinot's Palette at 226 E. College Ave. in downtown Appleton knew they had to make changes to reduce risk during the pandemic. However, studio manager Brianne Getchius wanted to maintain its mission of bringing art to the masses in a fun and entertaining environment with extraordinary customer service. “We reduced class sizes significantly to allow for social distancing for in-studio classes, made masks mandatory, added air filters and increased cleaning measures,” Brianne said. In addition to safe in-person classes, to-go painting kits and private event space are available. Virtual painting classes are being considered as a future offering. Learn more about this downtown business that is facing forward at pinotspalette.com/appleton.
Photo by Kim Thiel from Crimson Creative Group
08/13/2020
After many years of selling stuffed chicken wings and spring rolls at the Downtown Appleton Farm Market, Mai Vang felt it was necessary to open a business that would showcase her cooking abilities and be able to serve her customers year-round. Mai returned to her roots to expand her menu with dishes important to her childhood, such as Pad Thai, pho, and curries. Since approximately 50% of its business has been takeout, the transition for Mai's Deli during the pandemic was not as difficult as for some restaurants. “We stopped dine-in options two weeks prior to the state of emergency being declared,” manager Lang Lee Lee said. Dine-in still isn’t offered at its 104 S. Memorial Drive location in Appleton, but staff is looking for ways to do so given the restaurant’s limited space. Learn more about this downtown business that is facing forward at maisdeli.com.
Photos by Kim Thiel from Crimson Creative Group
08/10/2020
The Green Room/ComedyCity at 365 Main Ave. in De Pere, was formed over 30 years ago to provide a welcoming place for comedy, theater and other arts. “We’ve moved to an online format for some of our classic shows and also created some new ones,” owner Chad Nehring said. “We truly feel that everyone needs to keep laughing during all of this.” ComedyCity is made up of over 35 highly talented folks. The venue plans to re-open for shows Friday, September 11, with one show each weekend night at 7:30 p.m., plus other events TBD. Learn more about this downtown business that is facing forward at thegreenroomonline.com.
Photo by Alexis Arnold Photography
08/06/2020
The Game Capital at 805 Main Ave., De Pere, sells board games, trading cards (Pokemon, Yugioh, Magic the Gathering), toys, accessories and more. Owners Jeff and Hilary Wiza adapted to COVID-19 by offering curbside pickup, a service they continue to offer to anyone who doesn't feel safe entering the store, and by focusing on the online aspect of the business, including selling on Amazon and eBay. “We have temporarily shut down events and in-store gaming,” Jeff said. “We require masks for both customers and staff, and will allow five customers in the store at a time.” Trade-ins for trading cards or used games are not accepted at this time. Learn more about this downtown business that is facing forward at thegamecapital.com.
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Meet the faces of our downtown storefronts. The people who have the stuff it takes to make a small business hum—and aren’t willing to let a worldwide pandemic keep them from facing forward.
Join us as we celebrate these downtown faces and their businesses, the ones who contribute to the vibrant communities that intertwine with our Broadway and Main streets and avenues, around the bends of the Fox River, and throughout the New North. It’s these faces and their places that make us, us.
Downtown Faces Forward is an initiative to raise awareness and support for downtown small businesses by featuring the people behind the storefronts. This effort showcases those who have made an investment in our downtowns and provide services that create a vibrant place to live, work and play. See the faces and learn the names of those who, despite the COVID-19 pandemic, are forward facing to serve their community, retain their teams, and come out of this stronger, together.
We invite you to participate with us in this initiative by learning more about the small businesses in your downtown, purchasing locally through online or curbside options, hiring local professional services and, if you’re able, contributing to the small business funds available through Definitely De Pere and others about which you learn.
Downtown Faces Forward is made possible by O’Connor Connective and is supported by local downtown enthusiasts at Definitely De Pere; De Pere Area Chamber of Commerce; De Pere Art Center; Downtown Green Bay, Inc.; Olde Main Street, Inc.; Greater Green Bay Chamber; Greater Green Bay Convention & Visitors Bureau; New North Inc.; and photographers Alexis Arnold and Mark Hawkins. We hope this idea catches on and is repeated in downtowns everywhere.
