The Downtown Fond du Lac Partnership, Inc. (DFP) showcased its achievements of 2022 and looked forward to 2023 at its Annual Meeting held March 9, 2023, at the Thelma Sadoff Center for the Arts.
In 2022, downtown saw the opening of 32 new businesses, 12 more than in 2022. The downtown vacancy rate dropped from 10.2% in 2013 to the current 3.7%. There has been an overall private investment of over $140 million since 2004 when Fond du Lac became a Wisconsin Main Street Community. Over this time, the Building Improvement Grant has been awarded to 199 property owners, totaling $1,015,000 in assistance towards the cost of exterior property renovations. These grants have leveraged $7.1 million in private investment projects.
The meeting also highlighted many of the special events held downtown and some additional streetscape enhancements. In 2022, the DFP commissioned two new murals downtown. A mural titled ‘Happy Bicycle Day’ was painted on the entire North side of 209 S. Main which is Fond du Lac Cyclery by artists David Carpenter, Erin LaBonte, and David Krumpos. Mural art was also installed on the Portland Street Parking ramp titled ‘Kites on the Beach’, by Anthony Pazos.
Special events help to position the downtown as the central hub of the community, both socially and economically. The DFP organizes numerous promotions and annual events including the Farmers Market and Fondue Fest. These events have an estimated annual attendance of over 100,000 people and a local economic impact of more thean $3.2 million. The DFP is proud to host over 50 event days every year. The DFP is proud to host six annual walks (two Wine Walks, Easter Egg Walk, Christmas Cookie Walk, Soup Walk and Sweet Stroll), four different reoccurring market events,(Farmers Market, Fondue Fest, Night Market, and Winter Market). The DFP also organizes several promotional events such as the St. Patrick’s Day Pub Crawl, Holiday Kickoff Weekend, Small Business Saturday, Witches Day Out, and Deer Camp Weekend.
Downtown Fond du Lac is open for business! A simple idea, with great visual impact. The DFP provided downtown businesses with OPEN signs at no cost. The goal was to create a unified look through downtown and to highlight businesses that are open to passersby. Currently, there are 43 businesses with OPEN flags.
Every year, the DFP acknowledges a building project that has made a significant improvement in the aesthetics of downtown. The winner is chosen by the overall aesthetic improvement, quality of workmanship and community impact an exterior building project has made in downtown Fond du Lac. The Exterior Design of the Year Award was presented Bekki Fishelson-Kuber and Vince Kuber for Copper Cock Tavern. The façade improvements have enhanced the buildings’ natural architecture, design and complement the recently renovated neighbors to the north and south. The building has once again become a vibrant, active property downtown.
The Interior Design of the Year is chosen by the overall aesthetic improvement, quality of workmanship and community impact an interior building project has made in downtown Fond du Lac. Interior Design of the Year was presented to Leb Properties for their project at 21 E. Second. Over the past two years, Mike Leb undertook an impressive full building renovation project. Originally built in 1922, the project was completed in time for its 100-year anniversary. The building is home to additional offices for Leb Insurance Group and Fond du Lac Area Business of Health.
Every year the public is invited to nominate their favorite new downtown business. The recipient is chosen based on contribution to community and industry, business performance, innovative practices and challenges overcome. Due to the overwhelming responses from the community, two awards were given for Best New Business in 2022. The first Best New Business Award was Hang 10 Poke. From Farmers Market vendor, to bricks and mortar store, Kean O’Brien started Hang 10 Poke in 2021 at the Farmers Market offering fresh, customizable poke bowls. Kean dedicated himself to participating in downtown events like the Night Market and Fondue Fest, and Hang 10 Poke quickly became a fan favorite.
The next Best New Business Award was to Fondy Axe Company. Brothers Tyler and T.J. Schultz opened Fondy Axe Company at 25A N. Main Street in October 2022. The brothers became interested in axe throwing three years ago, and they loved it so much they signed up for a rec league. From there, their interest only grew. Tyler and T.J. realized their hometown was missing something and decided to open the axe throwing venue as a way for people to get together and enjoy a night out. After finding the right building for their business, the brothers quickly renovated the space. T.J. and Tyler hit the mark with Fondy Axe Company by opening an activity-based and inclusive business that was so needed downtown.
The Friend of Downtown award is given to a person that has made a lasting impact and sustained commitment to downtown Fond du Lac. The 2022 award was presented to Mike Leb. Mike continually reinvests in Fond du Lac by purchasing and redeveloping numerous downtown properties, adding to the vibrancy of our downtown. He is always willing to jump in on large projects with dedication and enthusiasm. Mike is President of LEB Insurance Group. He also serves on the Board of Directors for Thelma Sadoff Center for the Arts and Envision Greater Fond du Lac.
The 2021 Volunteer of the Year award, presented to an individual(s) who made significant contributions over the previous year, was awarded to Pete Wilke. Pete actively assists the Downtown Fond du Lac Partnership by serving on the Marketing Committee, volunteering for events such as the Monster March, Night Market, Fondue Fest, and assisting with various event registrations. Pete always shows up ready to help with an energetic and positive spirit. Pete is the Executive Director of Fond du Lac Festivals organizing Walleye Weekend and Sturgeon Spectacular. He is a dedicated advocate for downtown, an avid volunteer, and his enthusiasm is unmatched.
The Downtown Legacy Award, awarded to a business that has been downtown for at least 50 years. The Downtown Fond du Lac Partnership was proud to announce Hotel Retlaw as the Legacy Award winner. Since the hotel opened in 1923, Walter Schroeder had a vision to create the Hotel Retlaw as one of the finest hotels in the State of Wisconsin. Located in the heart of downtown, the eight-story, neoclassical hotel in red brick, with its cornice and façade detailing, shows attention to detail that was not overlooked in buildings of the era. Hotel Retlaw also includes Table One restaurant, One Main Café, Beauty Republic Salon, and the newly opened Indigo Blue Boutique. While it has changed and evolved over the years, Hotel Retlaw remains an elegant piece of Fond du Lac history and 2023 marks the 100th anniversary of Hotel Retlaw opening in downtown Fond du Lac.
It has been another great year for downtown Fond du Lac. Great things are fueling the momentum downtown. The complete DFP 2021 Annual Report can be found at www.downtownfdl.com.
The Downtown Fond du Lac Partnership, Inc. is a non-profit organization dedicated to bringing people, activity, business and a thriving civic life back to the heart of Fond du Lac. The DFP serves 214 properties with 284 businesses, 76% of which are small, locally-owned and operated.
