15 Years of Downtown Laramie

16-10-2020

Jodi Guerin

My favorite memory was being selected as one of the pilot communities when the Main Street program was launched!–It gave us a way to organize our efforts in a framework that provided support for all the things that make a community successful. I was on the board at that time and was an advocate of building and keeping a vibrant community. We have one of the nicest communities, one that I compare to every place I visit and as it has continued to change and improve I see more and more people who value it as well.

~ Jodi

17-10-2020

Sagan Wheeler

My favorite downtown project so far is the Mural Project. I LOVE the vibrancy that these murals have created in our downtown. I love the stories behind the murals and that they showcase the incredible talent of our local artists. And, this might not be a project people know as much about but I am completely in awe of the Empress (building that houses Big Hollow Food Co-op). I know how much thought, collaboration and hard work went into taking an empty lot and creating a beautiful space for a valued local business. I am excited to see what is next for this building as the need for more housing options is critical for our community.

We have this beautiful downtown and I truly think it is a highlight of our community. I want it to continue to flourish, drawing more people to Laramie, and continuing to make it an amazing place to live.

~Sagan

19-10-2020

Trey Sherwood

What I enjoy most about working for Laramie Main Street is that we get s*** done!!! haha I love that the work is constantly evolving, influenced by the needs of businesses with input from the community. The Main Street approach and grassroots strategy means our work has a direct impact on the lives of residents, students and visitors. It is immensely rewarding to put time and effort into an organization that truly makes a difference!

~Trey

21-10-2020

Jon Wiebe

Of all the incredible experiences I had with the Laramie Main Street Alliance, the process of working through a Transformational Strategy in 2018-2019 will always stand out to me. For the better part of a year, we worked to collect nearly 1,200 individual survey responses, participated in workshops with National Mainstreet reps, and heard from our Downtown patrons about what kind of community we lived in and aspired to become. Every session turned over another stone to this town. When we finally settled on a place-based strategy, I came away feeling so much closer to the rest of the board and the whole of my community. I was blessed to be a part of an organization that knew when to listen in order to lead.

~ Jon

22-10-2020

Jerry Schmidt

For the past 15 years I have served as a volunteer in different capacities on Laramie Main Street Alliance teams, boards, and committees. What motivates me to keep volunteering is “we get things done.” When I first began volunteering with Laramie Main Street Alliance in 2005, we would tell everyone how “we are gonna do this and we are gonna do that”. Today the list of what has been accomplished is “as long as your arm” and totals millions of dollars’ worth of improvement work. We get things done and that is what I enjoy the most.

~ Jerry

23-10-2020

Ashley Wilson

One of my favorite downtown memories was participating in the branding efforts led by Laramie Main Street Alliance and Downtown Laramie Business Association in late 2012. This initiative fostered a deep collaboration amongst business owners, long-time residents, professors and university advisors, students, and community members.

The purpose of this branding initiative was to define the ‘why’ and purpose behind LMSA, and put words and visuals to what Laramie means to its community. This was not an easy task, but so rewarding to see the end result. From trying to capture what Laramie means in words, to how to visually represent things like Brewfest, Scaramie, and Downtown Laramie Farmer’s Market, the effort took strong collaboration, historical research, and passionate dedication across many parties to ultimately bring forward a vision that people could connect to.

Today, when I visit Laramie, it is such a proud moment for me to see all these efforts displayed across the streets of downtown Laramie through signs, murals, clothing, and events. Things like the downtown event logos, bike racks, and flags are some examples

~Ashley

26-10-2020

Bailey Payton

I love that working for Laramie Main Street allows me to meet and connect with so many amazing new people in Laramie, throughout the state of Wyoming, and even around the country! It’s great learning about what really drives people to care about and get involved in their community. I enjoy being a part of creating the opportunities that bring us together and foster lasting memories!

~ Bailey

27-10-2020

Susan Moldenhauer

Co-founding and implementing the Laramie Mural Project between the UW Art Museum and Laramie Main Street was one of the most exciting projects I have had the pleasure to work on. It transformed our downtown into a vibrant, energized, and exciting place to live, work and visit. Working with Trey Sherwood was a true delight. The Laramie Mural Project laid the foundation for the community-wide desire and need to develop the Laramie Public Art Coalition. Public art in all its forms is now an essential part of Laramie’s cultural vitality.

~ Susan

28-10-2020

Karen Robillard

As a downtown Laramie business owner since 1997, I’ve seen an amazing transformation of our downtown district over the years. Main Street’s involvement in our community has been key in attracting new businesses, engaging consumers in positive ways and creating a true centerpiece of shopping, dining, culture and activity for residents of Laramie and beyond. Our downtown is truly special, and Main Street can take much credit. Thank you Trey and staff – I am grateful!

~Karen

30-10-2020

Fred Ockers

The Empress building is the project that sticks with me the most. I first got involved in this project when Trey Sherwood and myself, a LMSA board member at the time, made contact with members of the Laramie Community Foundation who controlled the Fox Theater property. After the City of Laramie razed the pigeon infested building, the now vacant lot became known in the community as the “Fox Hole”. The now former blithe and the view from the street, even though better than the previous view, still concerned the community and downtown businesses represented by LMSA looking for a solution to optimize this location. With a cooperative agreement in place with the Laramie Community Foundation and hard work by the LMSA to find a business to occupy this space, a Wyoming Business Council grant was obtained and the Big Hollow Food Co-Op relocation and expansion came to fruition.

~ Fred

2-11-2020

Jessica Brauer

I came to downtown as a brick and mortar business owner because I knew I wanted to be a part of the fabric of the district. Downtown’s energy and collaborative nature was magnetic and a no-brainer. I’ve since moved into work that doesn’t keep me physically in the district in an office or retail space, yet I use the corners of downtown as an extension of my home constantly. It is a neighborhood that invites collaboration and connection in a way that I hold close to my heart in all the avenues of my personal and professional life.

I recognize that though it can feel meager, my wallet is a resource with profound impact on a place that has been good to me personally and professionally through many seasons of life. My donations, much like my opting to shop locally, to attend local events, to share my favorite downtown businesses with those I love, to show up for my community in a time that feels really hard, all contribute to the continuation of the projects and initiatives that make Laramie my home. I am grateful for this community always and my donations, regardless of their size, are a reflection of that love

~Jessica

2-11-2020

Jennifer Powers

I work for Laramie Main Street because I enjoy using my creativity to support downtown businesses! I especially like working on campaigns such as Shop Smart Shop Safe, Small Business Saturday, Pop-up Art Walk, and any type of shopping local promotion. Providing meaningful support to businesses that I enjoy visiting and shopping with is very fulfilling!

~ Jennifer

3-11-2020

Desiree Brothe

I’ve worked in other communities, watching Laramie from the outside. From that perspective, I’ve always admired the energy and dedication of board members, volunteers, and especially staff with the LMSA program. I have especially liked seeing the progress of the Empress Building. Laramie has proved that a Main Street entity can in fact own, develop, and manage property in an effective and inventive way. Again, this sets a precedent for many others to follow.

~ Desiree

5-11-2020

Rin Kasckow

I never understood the power of Main Street until I got to Laramie. Once I got here I saw how it brought businesses, community members, and tourist together. Coming downtown is like coming to a second home, and I knew I had to volunteer to help continue that energy in anyway possible. My favorite project is hands down the Hollyhock Commons! It’s such a cool space and it made me feel safe while still enjoying downtown.

~ Rin

9-11-2020

Linda Klink

One of my favorite Downtown Laramie Projects that is still in the works is the Wyo Theater. This project in particular will greatly impact the downtown district and be the bridge between the downtown that is divided by the highway. Laramie is a great downtown with wonderful volunteers and solid leadership. In my position I continue to look for and provide resources for continued growth and business development. Keep up these great projects, volunteers, leadership and RESULTS!

~ Linda

11-11-2020

Tripp Muldrow

Branding Downtown Laramie was one of the most memorable projects in my career. We worked closely with Laramie Main Street and other partners to create an image system that is exciting, flexible, and expandable. My favorite memory is coming back to Laramie for a visit and seeing how much of the marketing has been implemented throughout downtown.

~Tripp

13-10-2020

Carly-Ann Carruthers

I can’t say thank you enough to the business owners, volunteers, and Main Street staff that work tirelessly to cultivate Laramie’s fantastic downtown. The group never stops innovating while remaining true to Laramie’s heritage as a railroad and college town, and we all enjoy their efforts. Their collaborative spirit and community focus are award-winning and showcase the great strength of Downtown Laramie and the lasting power of economic development and historic preservation. Cheers to another 15 years!

~ Carly-Ann