DOWNTOWN

CORPORAT IONRACINE

MERCHANT RESOURCE GUIDE

WE ARE THE DOWNTOWN RACINE CORPORATIONOur mission is to foster economic, social, and cultural diversity by stimulating business

development, programming events, and marketing downtown to the community, developers, and tourists. It is our vision that Downtown Racine, with its scenic lakefront and historic Main Street,

is the true heart and economic engine of our community; a vibrant and diverse destination to live, shop, explore, and conduct business.

We are a 501(c)3 that works hard every day to make Downtown Racine a vibrant and engaging place to live, work and play. We manage the day-to-day economic development efforts, improve

the environment and aesthetics, market downtown to residents and tourists and activate downtown with programmed events. In 2018 Racine became one of over forty designated Wisconsin Main Street Communities which offers access to a wide variety of educational

resources, training and tools designed to further our revitalization initiatives.

Downtown Racine Corporation is the only organization that is 100% committed and responsible to a thriving and vibrant downtown.

DOWNTOWN RACINE CORPORATION425 Main St. | Racine, WI 53403

262-634-6002Executive Director: Kelly Kruse

608-444-3064 | kkruse@racinedowntown.comChairman : Dave Kamm

262-497-9232 | dkamm@wi.rr.comVice Chair: MT Boyle

262-215-7063 | MT.Boyle@racinecounty.comFull list of Downtown Merchants

Visit Racinedowntown.com or check out the Visitor’s Guide

CITY OF RACINE720 Washington Ave. | Racine, WI 53403

Mayor Cory Mason262-636-9111 | Cory.Mason@cityofracine.org | Website: cityofracine.org/Mayor/

Interim City Administrator: Kathleen Fisher(262) 636-9598 | kathleen.fischer@cityofracine.org

Downtown Alderman : Jeff Coe262-989-0964 | jeff.coe@cityofracine.org

Public Works Commissioner: John Rooney(262) 636-9460 | john.rooney@cityofracine.org

Racine Police Department - Non Emergency262-886-2300

Racine Fire Department - Non Emergency262-886-2300

FEBRUARY2/20-2/27 Craft Beer Week2/22 State of Downtown 5 :30pm (TBD)MAY5/1 Wine Walk 1pm-4pm & 4pm-7pm5/8 Wine Walk 1pm-4pm & 4pm-7pmJUNE6/2 Bend & Brew 6pm-7pm (CCC) 6/5 Bend & Brew 9am-10am & 10 :15am-1 1 : 15am (CCC)6/9 Bend & Brew 6pm-7pm (CCC)6/12 Bend & Brew 9am-10am & 10 :15am-1 1 : 15am (CCC)6/16 Bend & Brew 6pm-7pm (CCC)6/19 Bend & Brew 9am-10am & 10 :15am-1 1 : 15am (CCC) Saturday Sounds 4 :30pm-7pm (MS)6/23 Bend & Brew 6pm-7pm (CCC) 6/25 Music on the Monument 4 :30pm-6pm (MS)6/26 Bend & Brew 9am-10am & 10 :15am-1 1 : 15am (CCC) Saturday Sounds 4 :30pm-7pm (MS)6/30 Bend & Brew 6pm-7pm (CCC) JULY7/2 Music on the Monument 4 :30pm-6pm (MS)7/3 Bend & Brew 9am-10am & 10 :15am-1 1 : 15am (CCC)7/7 Bend & Brew 6pm-7pm (CCC)7/9 Music on the Monument 4 :30pm-6pm (MS)7/10 Bend & Brew 9am-10am & 10 :15am-1 1 : 15am (CCC) Saturday Sounds 4 :30pm-7pm (MS)7/14 Bend & Brew 6pm-7pm (CCC)7/16 Music on the Monument 4 :30pm-6pm (MS)7/17 Bend & Brew 9am-10am & 10 :15am-1 1 : 15am (CCC) Saturday Sounds 4 :30pm-7pm (MS)7/21 Bend & Brew 6pm-7pm (CCC)7/23 Music on the Monument 4 :30pm-6pm (MS)7/24 Bend & Brew 9am-10am & 10 :15am-1 1 : 15am (CCC) Saturday Sounds 4 :30pm-7pm (MS)7/28 Bend & Brew 6pm-7pm (CCC)7/30 Music on the Monument 4 :30pm-6pm (MS)7/31 Bend & Brew 9am-10am & 10 :15am-1 1 : 15am (CCC) Saturday Sounds 4 :30pm-7pm (MS)AUGUST8/4 Bend & Brew 6pm-7pm (CCC)8/6 Music on the Monument 4 :30pm-6pm (MS)8/7 Bend & Brew 9am-10am & 10 :15am-1 1 : 15am (CCC) Saturday Sounds 4 :30pm-7pm (MS)8/1 1 Bend & Brew 6pm-7pm (CCC)8/13 Music on the Monument 4 :30pm-7pm (MS)8/14 Bend & Brew 9am-10am & 10 :15am-1 1 : 15am (CCC) Saturday Sounds 4 :30pm-7pm (MS)8/18 Bend & Brew 6pm-7pm (CCC)8/20 Music on the Monument 4 :30pm-7pm (MS)8/21 Bend & Brew 9am-10am & 10 :15am-1 1 : 15am (CCC) Saturday Sounds 4 :30pm-7pm (MS)8/25 Bend & Brew 6pm-7pm (CCC)8/27 Music on the Monument 4 :30pm-7pm (MS)8/28 Bend & Brew 9am-10am & 10 :15am-1 1 : 15am (CCC) Saturday Sounds 4 :30pm-7pm (MS)

2021EVENTS

LOCATION KEYMS = MONUMENT SQUARE

CCC = CHRISTOPHER COLUMBUS CSWY (EAST END)

DOWNTOWN

CORPORAT IONRACINE

SEPTEMBER9/1 Bend & Brew 6pm-7pm (CCC)9/4 Bend & Brew 9am-10am & 10 :15am-1 1 : 15am (CCC)9/8 Bend & Brew 6pm-7pm (CCC)9/1 1 Bend & Brew 9am-10am & 10 :15am-1 1 : 15am (CCC)9/15 Bend & Brew 6pm-7pm (CCC)9/18 Bend & Brew 9am-10am & 10 :15am-1 1 : 15am (CCC) Party on the Pavement Noon-7pm9/22 Bend & Brew 6pm-7pm (CCC)9/25 Bend & Brew 9am-10am (CCC)OCTOBER10/2 Bend & Brew 9am-10am (CCC)10/9 Bend & Brew 9am-10am (CCC) Wine Walk 1pm-4pm & 4pm-7pm10/16 Bend & Brew 6pm-7pm (CCC) Wine Walk 1pm-4pm & 4pm-7pm10/23 Candy Crawl Noon-3pm10/30 Candy Crawl Noon-3pmNOVEMBER11/6 Beer and Bacon Walk1 1/ 13 Hol iday Parade and Tree L ight ing 5 :30pm11/20 Ladies Night Out 2pm-8pm11/27 Smal l Bus iness SaturdayDECEMBER12/1 1 Kr is Kr ing le Tour a l l day

*EVENTS SUBJECT TO CHANGE.PLEASE CHECK RACINEDOWNTOWN.COM

SMALL BUSINESS RESOURCESBusiness Planning & Workshops, Financing

WWBICWWBICExpertise in business planning, financing and accessing resources that can assist with starting and growing a

business. Assistance with personal finances including topics such as budgeting, repairing and understanding your

credit and protecting your identity. In-person and online on-demand workshops are available.

www.wwbic.com | 262-898-5000

Startup & Entrepreneurial ServicesUW-Parkside Small Business Development Center UW-Parkside Small Business Development Center

Coaching and guidance; financial lending assistance; business/marketing/strategic planning; business plans; market

analysis; growth assistance for existing business and tech venture support.

www.uwp.edu/connect/businessandcommunity/sbdc.cfmMary Fischer-Tracy | 262-595-3363 | fischert@uwp.edu

Networking and TrainingRAMAC - Racine Area Manufacturers and Commerce RAMAC - Racine Area Manufacturers and Commerce

Provide training in technical skills, soft skills, supervisory and leadership as well as numerous networking

opportunities including Young Professionals of Racine (YPR), Business Blenders and other business events.

www.racinechamber.com | Anna Clementi | 262-634-1931 aclementi@racinechamber.com

Site Selection and Research AssistanceRCEDC - Racine County Economic Development Corporation RCEDC - Racine County Economic Development Corporation

Online database of available sites and buildings available at www.rcedc.org. Basic research including economic,

demographic and workforce data and community market profiles.

www.rcedc.org | Laura Million | 262-898-7530, lmillion@rcedc.org

Seed CapitalBLP - Business Lending Partners BLP - Business Lending Partners

Provides grants, loans and equity investments to City of Racine technology-based (Advanced Mfg, Food Processing,

Info Systems, Medical Devices, Biosciences, etc.) companies and emerging growth businesses.

Blp504.org | Carolyn Engel | 262-898-7420, carolyn@blp504.org

WHY DOWNTOWN RACINE?

LOCATIONDowntown Racine is

conveniently located in the heart of the city along the

shores of Lake Michigan and strategically located within the Chicago/Milwaukee corridor.

OUR MARKETDowntown Racine is an attractive, exciting

and convenient shopping destination for not only local residents, but also for shoppers from nearby Milwaukee and

northern Chicago suburbs.

DEMOGRAPHICS:

Primary Trade Area Residents....…..145,530

Median Household Income……......$77,627

Percent Associates Degree+…........….28.3%

Percent Family Households…….......…60.7%

Median Age…………..……….....................…….33.6

City Residents……………..............……..….76,646

VISITOR & EVENT TRAFFIC:

Average Daily Traffic………….............……8,700

Annual Event Attendance..........……..51,000

Programmed Event Dates………..........…..…54

BUSINESS MIXDowntown Racine has a balanced mix of retail, restaurant and service businesses

including multiple galleries, 3 museums and 5 jewelry stores.

DESTINATIONSFestival Hall | Racine Heritage Museum

Monument Square | Gateway Tech CollegeReefpoint Marina | Racine Art Museum

Retail growth over the past three years and pending major housing and hotel developments have prompted downtown’s “Racine-aissance.” The boom began in 2018 with 23 new business openings and another 24 new restaurants, shops and service companies

in 2019 along with 10 new businesses in 2020, despite the challenges of COVID-19, filling once empty storefronts with new vibrancy. Downtown Racine is now home to more than 40 restaurants, pubs and coffeehouses, over 50 retail shops and galleries and three museums.

More than 60 days of events scheduled for 2021 will draw regional traffic to downtown, further expanding the local customer base.

Downtown Racine has really been built back up over the last several years & has become one of my favorite spots. It has tons of shops, restaurants, galleries & some of the best architecture!

Being right on the lake makes it even better! -Tamara Dowhower, Racine

“

“

Great things are happening. Lots of really neat ideas for promoting our downtown.

- Photographic Design Studio (Downtown Business Owner)

“ “

PEOPLE ARE TALKING

TOTAL DOWNTOWNBUSINESSES: 301

SALES BY CATEGORY

EXCITING OPPORTUNITY AWAITS IN DOWNTOWN RACINE

LEARN MOREABOUT AVAILABLE INVESTMENT

PROPERTIES AND RENTALS

Downtown Racine CorporationAn accredited WI Main St Community and

a National Main Street Community.Kelly Kruse, Executive Director

262-634-6002 | kkruse@racinedowntown.com

RESIDENTIAL MARKET

Downtown’s adjacent proximity to the waterfront creates an attractive place

to live. Residential options include lake view high rises, historic loft apartments

and live-work opportunities.

6 Downtown Residential complexesWalkable Population (1/4 mile): 772Average Monthly Rental Rate: $845Percent Owned/Rented: 17%/83%

In addition, 3 market-rate housing developers are breaking ground in 2021

which will be creating 1,000 housing units.

COMMUNITYINVESTMENT

Downtown Racine Corporation promotes a public-private model for downtown revitalization. Together

with our partners, the DRC has made downtown a safe place to invest.

Private Investment in 2020: $1.4 million

Building Renovations in 2020: 6.5 million

Public Investment in 2020: $300,000

3 hotels will break ground in 2021 and create an additional 350 rooms and a

total investment of $200 million.

BUSINESSASSISTANCE

We are committed to helping new businesses get started in our

community. DRC staff members are available to serve as a liaison with the

City and others to help you get up and running quickly. Financial and other

assistance available includes:

Façade & Sign Grant50% of eligible costs up to $10,000.

Design AssistanceFree assistance with signage and

façade planning, including renderings.Tax Increment Finance Assistance

For qualified projects.

Downtown Racine, with its well-preserved classic architecture and amazing Lake Michigan views, is the true heart and economic engine of our community; a vibrant and diverse destination to live, shop, explore, and conduct business.

60+ PROGRAMMED DATES PER YEAR!Parades | Live Music Fri/Sat during Summer | Wine & Beer Walks | Festivals | Yoga | And Many More!

RACINEDOWNTOWN.COM

STAY CONNECTEDWeekly Merchant Emails

Contact Kelly Kruse to get added to the list: Send your email to kkruse@racinedowntown.com

Weekly Merchant TextsContact Kelly Kruse to get added to the text club: Send your cell number to kkruse@racinedowntown.com

Facebook Downtown Advocacy GroupJoin group at: Facebook.com/groups/DowntownRacine

PERMITSSidewalk Cafe Permits

Dept. of City Development. | City Hall Room 102 | Jeffrey Hintz | Jeffrey.Hintz@cityofracine.org

Right of Way Encroachment License (sidewalk merchandise)Dept. of City Development. | City Hall Room 102 | Jeffrey Hintz | Jeffrey.Hintz@cityofracine.org

GRANTSFacade Grant - Up to 50% matching grant

Dept. of City Development. | City Hall Room 102 | Jeffrey Hintz | Jeffrey.Hintz@cityofracine.org

MARKETING MATERIALS

DOWNTOWN RESTAURANT GUIDE

RACINEDOWNTOWN.COM

State St.

3rd St.

4th St.

5th St.

Wisc

onsin

Ave

.

Colle

ge A

ve.

Park

Ave

.

Villa

St.

Mai

n St

.

6th St.

TOAD HALLAmerican

A LITTLE R&R CAFEAmerican

KEWPEE’SAmerican

BUTC

HER

& B

ARR

ELA

mer

ican

DEWEY’SAmerican

MAPLE TABLEAmerican

SUGAR SHACKIce Cream

STICKY RICEThai

Sam Johnson Prky.

ASIANAKorean/ Japanese

PEPI’SAmerican TH

E RO

OST

ON

6TH

Am

eric

an

THE NASHAmerican

OLD MADRIDSpanish

ROBERTAAmerican

RED ONIONAmerican

MS. BETTY’S KITCHENSouthern

ABRAZOCoffee

RACINE BREWING CO.Mexican

THE IVANHOEIrish/American

DIVINO GELATOCoffee

JIMMY JOHNSSandwich

JOEY’S YARDARMSeafood/American

SALUTESItalian

MAIN ST. BAKERYAmerican

SMOK’D ON THE WATERAmerican

REEFPOINT BREW HOUSEAmerican

CORNER HOUSEAmerican

KRUNG THAIThai

SHOGUNJapanese

“MESS HALL” RESTUARANT

American

Brid

ge

MAIN HUBAmerican

COASTERSAmerican

GEORGE’SAmerican

BOOSTER’S BUOYSeafood/American

BRICKHOUSEAmerican

BALKANAmerican

CHIT CHAATPakistani

DERANGO’SItalian/American

AMOS LOS TACOSMexican

= OUTDOOR DINING

MULTIPLE TABLES TO BRING

CARRY OUT

BridgeHARBOR LITE YACHT CLUB

Wed/Fri Only

TAEJA VUCajun

DINESAFELY

WEAR A MASK WHEN NOT SEATED AT TABLE OR BAR.

STAY 6 FEET APART

WASH HANDS BEFORE AND AFTERYOU EAT

COUGH/SNEEZE INTO YOUR SLEEVE

USE HAND SANITIZER

USE DISPOSABLE UTENSILS AND MENUS WHEN AVAILABLE

SHOPSAFELY

WEAR A MASK

STAY 6 FEET APART

ONLY PICKUP/TOUCH WHAT YOU PLAN TO PURCHASE

COUGH/SNEEZE INTO YOUR SLEEVE

USE HAND SANITIZER WHEN AVAILABLE

WASH HANDS WHEN YOU GET HOME

FACEMASK

REQUIRED

Signs/posters available at DRC office for free!8x10 or 11x17 sizes.

OPENCURBSIDEPICK UP

CALL

#SupportDowntownRacine

EMAIL

DRC MEMBERSHIP BENEFITS• We will promote your business through social media: (17,000+ followers) and email (6,500+ subscribers) • Collaborative and affordable advertising opportunities• Discounts on Party on the Pavement, parade applications and Visitor Guide ads• Downtown gift certificate program participation• Membership rewards program for you and your staff• Participation in Restaurant & Craft Beer Week• Participation in Kris Kringle Tour (2 Kringles provided)• Wine Walk participation (based on first come, first serve)• Beer and Bacon Walk participation (based on first come, first serve)• Candy Crawl participation (includes 1 bowl of candy)• Participation in scavenger hunt events• Participation in window decorating contests

Membership is just $250 per year and is 100% tax deductible. Stop at the DRC office 425 Main St or download an application at:

racinedowntown.com/downtown-racine-corporation/

GIFT CARD PROGRAMDowntown Racine Corporation offers a gift card program to DRC members. Please accept these gift cards as cash. Then turn in to the DRC office (425 Main St.) with

your business name written on the back. We will reimburse you 100% of the gift card value.

MENTORSHIP PROGRAMIf you are a new business and in need of a mentor that has a similar business in Downtown, please

let Kelly Kruse know (kkruse@racinedowntown.com or 608-444-3064). She will find a match that suits your needs.

Whether it be a one time meeting or weekly check ins, we will work to find someone that can help YOU succeed and navigate in Downtown Racine.

THANK YOUfor being a part of the Downtown community.

425 Main St. | Racine, WI 53403 | 262-634-6002

DOWNTOWN

CORPORAT IONRACINE