Mayor Mielke has proclaimed November Small Business Month, and for many good reasons.

In November, small business is a big deal in Wausau. October wraps up with the re-opening of a commercial corridor in the completion of the Second Avenue streetscaping project. To highlight their focus on the importance of small business in our community, the Wausau Region Chamber of Commerce held a ribbon cutting on Friday, Oct. 28, at the corner of Second Avenue and Clark Street to help the Wausau River District businesses celebrate their new shopping atmosphere. This summer-long street improvement project features the only table-top intersection in Wausau, stone sidewalks, new LED street lights, decorative red granite gateway boulders, and beautiful ornamental trees. This project is breathing new life into this destination shopping area in Wausau’s River District.  

“A thriving and vibrant downtown Wausau requires strong small businesses to sustain continued development and revitalization. With the completion of infrastructure improvements and the proclamation of November as Small Business Month, Wausau is making a strong commitment to ensure a strong holiday season for its near west side and downtown businesses,” said Wausau Region Chamber of Commerce President/CEO David Eckmann.

“We’re so excited for the new look coming to this area of the River District,” says Wausau River District executive director Elizabeth Field. “It’s especially meaningful at the gateway to our District, and we’re looking forward to people getting to experience it during Christmas on First on Nov. 5th and 6th.”

Shoppers can get an extended view of these improvements on Saturday, Nov. 5, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday, Nov. 6, from noon to 4 p.m. during the 24th annual Christmas on First Open House. Shoppers will be able to get a jump start on holiday shopping – and check out the improvements to Second Avenue – while enjoying the holiday experience at seven participating businesses and be sure to ask for the Christmas on First Punch Card for a chance to win a $500 valued grand prize. This year’s participating businesses include Blossoms and Bows, Builer’s Cycles & Fitness, Buttermilk Creek, Dime and Dollar Thrift Store, Navieve Fromagerie, Needle Workshop, and River District Antiques. Carolers and elves will be wandering through each business from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. on Saturday.  

In addition, Wausau River District businesses will host Small Business Saturday again this year on Saturday, Nov. 26, during regular business hours. Instead of the Black Friday crowds or Cyber Monday solitude, join your friends, family, neighbors, and River District business owners the Saturday after Black Friday for a unique shopping experience for the entire family. Keep money in your community while shopping at small local businesses on Small Business Saturday.  

Earlier this year, SBA Administrator Maria Contreras-Sweet took a walking tour of the River District to congratulate several small businesses on their successes, noting that small businesses employ more people than any other sector of the economy. By choosing to shop local, the local economy is boosted by money being recycled back into it through wages, business to business sales, and support to local charities. With the shopping events and Mayoral proclamation November is the perfect time to shop your favorite local businesses.

The purpose of the Wausau River District is to promote and facilitate the economic development and historic preservation of downtown Wausau for the benefit of the entire community.