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Quincy Main Street looks back, forward

Since re-forming as a separate nonprofit entity 3.5 years ago, Quincy Main Street has created a sense of momentum that it is engaging the community in the beautification and upgrading of downtown Quincy.

Quincy Main Street looked back at those 3.5 years last Thursday night (March 1) at the Historic Quincy Woman’s Club when it had its annual membership meeting.

At the meeting, the organization honored Joe Munroe, who stepped down as executive director of Quincy Main Street effective January 1, 2018 after serving as the organization’s leader since its re-organization. The organization also heard about future plans from Alexander Sink, who was promoted from executive assistant to executive director to replace Monroe effective January 1, 2018.

Probably the biggest accomplishment of Quincy Main Street in 2017 was receiving a State of Florida Division of Historical Resources grant to update and print the historic walking tour booklet, brochures of historic cemeteries, brochures of the history of the Gadsden County Courthouse, and a smart phone/android app.

Sink said that these projects are all set to debut July 1, 2018.

“Tourism generates revenue and Quincy Main Street is focused on creating new marketing tools to promote our architecture and history,” Sink said.

Sink also pointed out that in the last two years Quincy Main Street has invested heavily in the physical enhancement of the Quincy Downtown Historical District.

Two years ago, Quincy Main Street matched corporate and private grants, private donations and the county’s annual grant to pay for painting the city’s historic lampposts.

Last year saw the addition of new metal benches and banners celebrating Quincy’s diversity under the motto: “Where the Arts are Home-Grown.”

To accomplish these things, Quincy Main Street organized private citizens who power-washed the city’s downtown sidewalks, and working with city workers, weeded and placed mulch in the city’s tree planters. Sink also pointed out that Quincy Main Street actively promoted existing and new businesses through traditional and social media and in the outfit’s e-newsletter.

Among the businesses that opened in downtown Quincy in 2017 (and early 2018) included:

• Damfino’s Cafe, Market and Bakery;

• Nicky’s Sporting Goods;

• Around the Corner Cafe and Florist;

• Dean Mitchell’s Marie Brooks Art Gallery;

• The Junktion, shabby chic (new and used) thrift store);

• Fringe Hair Salon;

• Gadsden Arts Center & Museum expansion; and

• Kavannah’s Sweet Boutique.

In laying out his vision for the future of Quincy Main Street, Sink said that his goal is revitalizing Quincy’s Historic Downtown District through organization, promotion, design and economic vitality with a focus on historic preservation.

“We invite friends and neighbors and everyone who loves where they live to join Quincy Main Street,” Sink said. “Together we can guide positive change for Quincy’s future by supporting Quincy Main Street.”

For more information about Quincy Main Street, visit www.quincymainstreet.org, or email info@quincymainstreet.org, or call (850) 662-1812.

By Randall Lieberman
randall@prioritynews.net