Charlie Vetters, owner of Organic Robot, a specialty store which offers custom printed t-shirts. The store is one of many local only businesses on Main Street in Greenfield. Monday, Feb. 8, 2022.
TOM RUSSO | DAILY REPORTER
GREENFIELD — Downtown Greenfield merchants came together Tuesday night to discuss the state of Main Street.
The meeting was hosted by Greenfield Main Street, the organization tasked with supporting and promoting the historic downtown district. The nonprofit group has been hosting quarterly merchant meetings to exchange ideas and foster a sense of community.
Executive director Debra Smith said it’s once again an exciting time to be a downtown business owner after a rough couple of years brought on by the pandemic.
“The trend of supporting small businesses really grew during the pandemic and shows no signs of stopping,” said Smith, who helped welcome four new businesses to downtown Greenfield last year.
The newest additions include The Depot restaurant and bar, Indie &Iris Salon, Three Unique Boutique and a shop called 1Love.
Smith said the purpose of organizations like Greenfield Main Street is to support those businesses in downtown commercial districts and to champion the shop local movement all year long.
“All the reports we are reading and receiving from the National Main Street organization and the Small Business Administration are showing indicators that now is a great time to start a business, especially in downtown,” she said.
Things are also looking up for Greenfield Main Street, which recently received a Level Up grant from the Hancock County Community Foundation to develop a strategic plan.
“We are all excited to plan for the future,” said the organization’s vice chair, Sara Joyner, who is also a downtown business owner. Her home building company, Joyner Homes, is headquartered there.
“Our (Main Street) organization works with merchants, property and business owners, homeowners and the city to really bring people together to make the downtown area a true asset to Hancock County,” she said.
Smith said the future is looking bright for the nonprofit, which recently welcomed three new board members: Dan Jack, Business Operations Specialist for the Greenfield-Central schools; downtown resident Lauren Lavy; and downtown merchant Charlie Vetters.
Vetters started his screen printing shop — Organic Robot Designs — from his Greenfield home but later moved into a storefront at 113 W. Main St. He’s been plugging away at growing the business ever since, despite shipment delays and skyrocketing costs brought on by complications stemming from the pandemic.
“Every business has been hit with dealing daily with supply line issues and costs going up,” said Vetters, who has endured three price increases for his garments over the past 18 months.
“My ink costs have gone up 35 percent, and every time you turn around there’s something else you’re dealing with. Business is picking up, but the supply line is lacking, so you really have to be creative in coming up with solutions to do your job the best you can,” he said.
Vetters said he’s excited to join an organization like Greenfield Main Street, which exists to support the historic commercial district and merchants like himself.
“I’m excited about the momentum I see with the downtown area, and I want to be part of that,” he said.
In addition to supporting merchants, Smith said Greenfield Main Street has a number of fun events lined up to entice people to spend some time and money downtown.
“We will kick off the 2022 event calendar with a new addition, a Murder Mystery Dinner on April 1,” she said, adding that tickets will go on sale hopefully by the end of February.
Bikes in Bloom returns on Mother’s Day weekend when more than 20 bikes are decorated and displayed by local businesses and nonprofits.
Shortly after the bikes pop up, Greenfield Main Street will host its annual Mutts on Main event when guests are encouraged to bring their four-legged friends downtown.
The nonprofit will also host Food Truck Fridays through the summer, on the second Friday of the month from May through October.
Greenfield Main Street will take part in the National Road Yard Sale June 4-5 and will host the popular Touch a Truck event June 11, when little ones get the chance to get up close to fire trucks, ambulances and other big rigs.
The nonprofit will co-host the Turkey Day 5K on Thanksgiving Day, followed by promoting lots of shopping for Small Business Saturday on Nov. 26, rounding out the year with various Hometown Christmas events throughout December.
Smith is especially excited about the new murder mystery dinner event this year, in addition to welcoming the three new board members.
“I think they are fantastic additions to the board because they each come from different backgrounds and bring a variety of skill sets and perspectives,” she said.
Jack can help the board connect with families from the Greenfield school system, she said, while Lavy can bring a fresh perspective that a non-native now living in downtown Greenfield can provide.
Vetters “is a ball of energy and has great ideas,” said Smith, who noted that a merchant’s perspective is of great help to the board.
While store owners have fared some rough times due to COVID, Smith is happy to report that things are turning around.
“Businesses will continue to succeed if they provide a top-notch customer service experience, online shopping options, and provide unique items that you can’t get at your big box stores,” she said, but local support is crucial.
“We need to support all the businesses that we have downtown if we want to continue to have them around,” said Smith.
“My hope is that we will continue to have new businesses come into downtown, (which) only helps the businesses that are already here. The more shops and businesses we have, the more opportunity for people to spend longer in the area, which means more money spent, which in turn helps everyone,” she said.
Jack, one of the newest board members, agrees.
“Ultimately, we’d like to see a thriving business in every downtown storefront,” he said.
Greenfield Main Street recently welcomed three new board members:
Dan Jack, Business Operations Specialist for Greenfield-Central schools
Lauren Lavy, downtown resident
Charlie Vetters, downtown merchant (Organic Robot Designs)
The nonprofit also annonced its officers for 2022:
Chair: Mary Gibble
Vice Chair: Sara Joyner
Secretary: Jenn Wells
Treasurer: Kim Pauszek
Other board members include:
Jeff Clark
Joanie Fitzwater
Dan Riley
Jeff Somers
Melissa Tennant
Lewis Wooton
The nonprofit will kick off the 2022 calendar with a new addition, a Murder Mystery Dinner on April 1st. Tickets will go on sale hopefully by the end of February.
Other highlights this year include:
Bikes in Bloom: Mother’s Day weekend through Father’s Day
Mutts on Main: May 21
Food Truck Fridays: 2nd Friday of the Month (May – October)
National Road Yard Sale: June 4-5
Touch A Truck: June 11
Turkey Day 5K (with Greenfield Parks Department and Hope House): Nov. 24
Small Business Saturday: Nov. 26
Hometown Christmas: varying dates in December
To learn more, follow Greenfield Main Street on Facebook or sign up for the monthly newsletter at greenfieldmainstreet.org.
