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Commerce Main Street
Commerce has been one of Georgia's Main Street Cities since 1985.
Tourism information and newcomer packets are available in the Main Street Office.
The Main Street Approach to Downtown Revitalization
Main Street is a philosophy, a program and a proven comprehensive approach to downtown commercial district revitalization. This approach has been implemented in over 1,800 cities and towns in 44 states across the nation with the help of the National Main Street Center and statewide downtown revitalization programs. Main Street successfully integrates the practical management strategy with the physical improvement of buildings and public spaces, aggressive promotion and image building, and the economic development of the area.
Committee Structure
The success of the Main Street approach is based on its comprehensive nature. By carefully integrating four points into practical downtown management strategy, a local Main Street program will produce fundamental changes in a community's economic base.
Co-chairs - DDA/MS Board of Directors
Involves building a Main Street framework that is well represented by business and property owners, banks, citizens, public officials, chambers of commerce and other local economic development organizaitons. Everyone must work together to maintain a long-term effort.
Co-chairs - Tricia Massey and Dr. Clark Hill
Creates excitment downtown. Street festivals, parades, retail events and image development campaigns are some of the ways Main Street encourages customer traffic. Promotion involves marketing an enticing image to shoppers, investors and visitors and also positioning the downtown in the market place.
Co-chairs - Keith Ariail and vacant position
Enhances the attractiveness of the central business district. Historic building rehabilitation, street and alley clean-up, colorful banners, landscaping and lighting all improve the physical image of the downtown as a quality place to shop, work, walk, invest in and live. Design improvements result in a reinvestment of public and private dollars to downtown.
Co-chairs - Chris Bray and Claudine Smith
Involves analyzing current market forces to develop long-term solutions. Recruiting new businesses, creatively converting unused space for new uses and sharpening the competitiveness of Main Street's traditional merchants are examples of economic restructuring activities.
2009 Downtown Promotional Events
JANUARY
Nothing Scheduled
FEBRUARY
Town Hall Meeting
Thursday, February 19th
The Commerce DDA will be hosting its second Town Hall Meeting at 6:00pm at the Commerce Civic Center. Complimentary refreshments will be provided. The purpose of this meeting is to gather relevant information pertinent to the future redevelopment of historic downtown Commerce. The public is invited and encouraged to attend. We need your input, please try to attend! Be a part of the planning process aimed at improving your downtown.
MARCH
Volunteer Appreciation Luncheon
Friday, March 6th
The Commerce DDA is hosting this second annual event in order to recognize the countless volunteers that help make our organization viable. All volunteers associated with the the operation of all programs associated with the Downtown Development Authority and Main Street Program will be invited to attend. This is a catered event and will take place at the Commerce Civic Center.
APRIL
20th Annual Easter Parade and Egg Hunt
Saturday, April 11th
Community Bank & Trust, in conjunction with the Commerce DDA and the Commerce Area Business Assocation are proud to sponsor this annual family-friendly event. Walk and carry an Easter basket or enter the Best Decorated Bike, Battery-Operated Vehicle or Wagon contest. The event begins at the Community Bank & Trust Drive-Thru Parking Lot (1893 North Elm Street) at 10:00am. The parade will begin at 10:45am. The Egg Hunt will take place on the front lawn of the First Baptist Church and will begin at the conclusion of the parade. All chidren must be accompanied by an adult.
MAY
Fridays After Five
Friday, May 1st
Bring your lawn chairs and blankets! Come and enjoy a free concert in Spencer Park in downtown Commerce. With the help of a Georgia Council for the Arts' Grassroots Arts Program Grant, the Commerce Downtown Development Authority is excited to bring Athens' Alternative/Southern/ Modern Rock Band "Lullwater" to this highly successful entertainment series. For more information about "Lullwater", please click on the link below.
www.myspace.com/lullwatermusic
Fridays After Five
Friday, May 8th
Bring your lawn chairs and blankets! Come and enjoy a free concert in Spencer Park in downtown Commerce. With the help of a Georgia Council for the Arts' Grassroots Arts Program Grant, the Commerce Downtown Development Authority is excited to host the "Commerce High School Band & Chorus". The CHS Band & Chorus will perform movie themes, marches, a few jazz pieces, and Americana selections.
Farmers Market Organizational Meeting
Thursday, May 14th
In preparation for another successful Downtown Farmers Market, the Commerce Downtown Development Authority invites all interested growers to attend an organizational meeting designed to inform all in attendance about the parameters in which the market is governed (i.e. dates, times, USDA regualtions, etc.). The meeting will take place at the Commerce Civic Center at 7:00pm.
Fridays After Five
Friday, May 15th
Bring your lawn chairs and blankets! Come and enjoy a free concert in Spencer Park in downtown Commerce. With the help of a Georgia Council for the Arts' Grassroots Arts Program Grant, the Commerce Downtown Development Authority is excited to host the "East Jackson Comprehensive High School Jazz Band". The EJCHS Jazz Band will perform beautifully arranged jazz standards, swing and pop era classics as well as a few selections in tribute to Armed Services Day.
Fridays After Five
Friday, May 29th
Bring your lawn chairs and blankets! Come and enjoy a free movie in Spencer Park in downtown Commerce. With the help of a Georgia Council for the Arts' Grassroots Arts Program Grant, the Commerce Downtown Development Authority is excited to show the movie "Hotel For Dogs" on a 20' x 20' inflatable screen with a professional sound system. This event is destined to bring nearly 500 people to Spencer Park. Co-sponsors Community Bank & Trust, First Commerce Bank and United Community Bank have agreed to provide concessions to all those in attendance.
Colgate Country Showdown
Friday, May 29th
WJJC 1270AM presents this annual country music talent contest.
Performed at the Commerce Cultural Center
JUNE
Fridays After Five
Friday, June 5th
Bring your lawn chairs and blankets! Come and enjoy a free "Beach Party" in Spencer Park in downtown Commerce. With the help of a Georgia Council for the Arts' Grassroots Arts Program Grant, the Commerce Downtown Development Authority is excited to host a "Beach Party" with music and games that will delight all those in attendance. Stay tuned for updated information.
Downtown Farmers Market
Every Saturday - Starting on June 20th
The market will be open in downtown Commerce from 7:00am to 11:00am. The market will take place in the parking lot adjacent to the railroad and across from Spencer Park. Please use the following links for more information about the 2009 Downtown Farmers Market:
Guidelines For Vendor Membership
Market Products Memo
City Lights Downtown Festival
Saturday, June 27th
This year's City Lights Festival will feature the following events:
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City Lights Star Chase 5K Road Race (3.1 mile run through historic downtown Commerce)
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Downtown Farmers Market (For Market info, look at calendar entry above)
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Hot Rod & Antique Car Show
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Kids Zone with family-friendly entertainment (moonwalk, obstacle course, extreme baseball challenge, soccer shoot out, double lane slide)
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North Georgia Arts & Crafts Vendors
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Various Food Vendors
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Petting Zoo and Animal Encounters Exibit
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Live Music on Downtown Stage
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FIREWORKS AT DUSK!
All events take place at or around Spencer Park in Historic Downtown Commerce
JULY
Downtown Farmers Market
Every Saturday
The market will be open in downtown Commerce from 7:00am to 11:00am. The market will take place in the parking lot adjacent to the railroad and across from Spencer Park. Please use the following links for more information about the 2009 Downtown Farmers Market:
Guidelines For Vendor Membership
Market Products Memo
AUGUST
Downtown Farmers Market
Every Saturday
The market will be open in downtown Commerce from 7:00am to 11:00am. The market will take place in the parking lot adjacent to the railroad and across from Spencer Park. Please use the following links for more information about the 2009 Downtown Farmers Market:
Guidelines For Vendor Membership
Market Products Memo
Tigers on the Town Downtown Pep Rally
Thursday, August 27th
As in the past, the event takes place at Spencer Park in downtown Commerce. This year we hope to feature the Commerce High School Football Team, Cheerleaders, Marching Band, Dance Line, Majorettes, Cross Country Team and Softball Team. The Commerce Area Business Association and the Downtown Development Authority will be honoring the 2008-2009 Teachers of the Year at this year's event.
SEPTEMBER
Movie in the Park
Friday, September 18th
Bring your lawn chairs and blankets! Come and enjoy a FREE Movie in the Park at Spencer Park in downtown Commerce. This annual Back-to-School event draws over 400 people into the downtown area for food, fun and family!
Downtown Farmers Market
Every Saturday - Concluding on September 12th
The market will be open in downtown Commerce from 7:00am to 11:00am. The market will take place in the parking lot adjacent to the railroad and across from Spencer Park. Please use the following links for more information about the 2009 Downtown Farmers Market:
Guidelines For Vendor Membership
Market Products Memo
OCTOBER
Downtown Trick or Treat
Friday, October 30th
4:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m. Located in historic downtown Commerce
Calling all ghost and goblins! Trick-or-treaters must be in costume, under the age of 12, and accompanied by an adult. Downtown merchants, restaurants, banks, and professionals will be participating. The Commerce Police Department will offer the Child Safety ID program at the gazebo in Spencer Park. Police Officers will give out ID kits, and if requested the child may be fingerprinted. Continued from last year! Costume Contest in Spencer Park! Children under the age of 12 are invited to enter the contest in the following categories: Scariest Costume, Most Orginial Costume, Cutest Costume, Best Character Costume The Costume contest will take place at 5:30pm - winners will be announced at 5:45pm in Spencer Park.
NOVEMBER
Thanksgiving Evening
Thursday, November 26th
6:00 p.m. Downtown Christmas lights are turned on
DECEMBER
Commerce By Candlelight
Friday, December 4th
- An evening shopping event, all downtown merchants will remain open until 9:00pm.
- Candle Lit Sidewalks
- Sidewalk Caroling
- Complimentary refreshments at most locations
- A live Santa Claus will be available for pictures
- Visit all participating locations and enter for a chance to win nearly $500 in gift certificates
- Participating locations: TBA
Hometown Holidays
Saturday, December 5th
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Breakfast with Santa 9:00am - 11:00am @ location TBA (Have your picture taken with Santa Clause and enjoy breakfast)
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Secret Santa Workshop 12:00pm - 3:00pm @ location TBA (Shop in a store designed just for kids. All gifts are priced under $10. For kids ages 5 - 12)
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Hometown Holidays Hot Rod & Antique Cruise In 12:00pm - 3:00pm @ Spencer Park Parking Lots
Commerce Christmas Parade
Sunday, December 6th
New Years Eve Dance
Thursday, December 31st
The Commerce Area Business Association and the Downtown Development Authority are excited to host this well-attended and well-received event. Entertainment and Dinner packages TBA. Please stay tuned for more information.
For more information about community events, please contact the Commerce Main Street/Downtown Development Authority office.
Please use the following links to access
Historic Commerce: A Self-Guided Tour
Historic Walking Tour Map
Historic Walking Tour 1
Historic Walking Tour 2
Commerce Main Street is dedicated to providing ample parking for its business owners, patrons and visitors. To access the Downtown Parking Map, click on the link below.
Parking Map for Downtown
In an attempt to give prospective business owners a greater understanding of Commerce and its current business climate, the Downtown Development Authority has put together a recruitment packet. Please click on the link below:
Business Recruitment Packet
Hasco Craver
Executive Director
PO Box 717 - 1645 S. Elm Street
Commerce, Georgia 30529
Phone: 706.335.2954
Fax: 706.335.3790
updated 5/15/2009
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