The Historic Harrison Business Association (HHBA) met Monday, Aug. 18, in the Signature Bank Community Room and learned of the momentum happening with downtown Harrison.
HHBA Treasurer Beverly DeWitt reported on the financials, and $3,000 has come in for HHBA memberships.
Main Street Board Member and Vice President, Matt Fay, updated the group on the recently formed Board of Directors and the designation received from Main Street Arkansas on Monday, Aug. 11.
“We recently returned from Little Rock, where we received training. We want to hit the ground running, but we are still learning. This is all new to us,” Fay said. “The board comprises of members with various gifts that will benefit this community. Great things will happen when we put our gifts all together and continue with the current momentum.”
Fay mentioned the four committees Main Street Arkansas wanted the Harrison board to focus on. “We will need lots of volunteers to fill these committees. So if something sounds good to you or someone else in the community, please have them contact us.”
The committees are Organization, chaired by Amanda Woodworth; Promotion, chaired by Beth Crenshaw; Design, chaired by Pat Brown; and Economic Vitality, chaired by Nate Wilson.
HHBA Chairman Mike Nabors asked Tyler Gentry, from Judge Hathaway’s office, to discuss the procedure for hosting events on the Courthouse lawn.
Gentry said, “ We have a simple form we like filled out at least a week before the event. We need to know what sections of the courtlawn are required. If the organization wants streets closed, they must contact Wade Phillips at the City. Electricity is provided in all areas of the courtyard. We ask that you clean up after yourselves and also respect the memorials. We try to accommodate all events; we just ask that you be adults, and if two events are happening simultaneously, be adults and get along. If someone needs a food permit, they should contact the Health Department. If the courthouse restrooms are needed, we ask for a $20-an-hour fee that pays the staff worker, or portables can be brought in.”
Gentry said the county may leave the building at the end of the year; that’s up to the judge. “We are responsible for the lawn and the memorials. Whatever happens to the courthouse, we know it impacts the downtown businesses, and you want something there that will bring foot traffic.”
The business owners asked to be notified when streets needed to be closed.
The owner of the Historic Hotel Seville, Hansen Doolittle, announced a workshop he is hosting to teach area contractors or individuals how to repair or build the double-pane windows in many of the older buildings downtown.
“I found a man in Tampa, Florida, who has spent 25 years teaching this process. When I told him the Hotel had 98 windows, he was impressed and wanted to come to the area and help us. It’s a simplified process that will allow these windows to work again and be appropriately restored.”
The classes will be held the last week of October and the first week of November. Contact Doolittle at the Hotel at 870-747-8713 for information or to sign up.
Mayor Jerry Jackson introduced the City’s IT Director, David Wilson, who has been very involved in reaching out to businesses interested in Harrison.
Wilson said the former building that held “Backyard Framer” just sold to a Branson family expanding and opening The Malt and Barrel. “They loved the 9,000 square feet and plan to add an art studio upstairs. They will allow dogs to come into the building and have areas for people to sit and visit. The owner told me she would have menus from other downtown restaurants so customers could order food if they desired.”
Jackson answered many questions for the downtown business owners about several properties under contract.
Jackson added, "In the last 30 days, six new businesses have committed to downtown. Three have leased buildings and three have purchased buildings. That makes only one vacancy on the square's south, west, and north sides. And hopefully ProValus will be the next purchased building."
Jackson praised Kelly Lindberg, the owner of the 1915 Cafe, for placing brown paper in the windows of the building she purchased on the east side of the square. “Thank you, Kelly. Brown paper shows something is happening, and that makes downtown look great. I’d love to add ‘contract pending’ on the former Walter’s building where ProValus wants to move into.”
The question was asked about Three Wishes for Ruby Kate. “I’ve spoken to Ben Bowser of Integrity Building, and he expects the glass to come in soon for the front of that building. He said if it looked like it would be delayed, they would paint the plywood that is there now so it would look better.”
The next HHBA meeting will be held on Monday, Oct. 20, at 6 p.m. in the Signature Bank Community Room.
Downtown activities coming include:
Sep 12-14 – Arkansas Hot Air Balloon Festival
Sep 14-20 – Northwest Arkansas District Fair
Sep 25 – Rodeo Parade
Sep 25-27 Rodeo
Oct 4 – Art show
Oct 3-4 – Harvest Homecoming
Oct 10-12 – Christian Rock Concert – Creekside Amp
Oct 20 – HHBA bi-monthly meeting
Oct 31 – Scare on the Square
Nov 6-9 – Holiday Open House - Retailers
Nov 7-8 – Holiday Marketplace – Signature Tower
Nov 8 – Downtown Christmas Market – Farmers Market
Nov 29 – Small Business Saturday
Dec 1 – Christmas Parade
The best way to promote a community event is through the Explore Harrison weekly newsletter. Contact Renee Swanson at (870) 741-1789.