Main Streets
Our region hosts many Wisconsin “Main Street” Communities. The Wisconsin Main Street and Connect Communities programs provide hands on assistance to communities throughout the state interested in revitalizing and improving their downtown environment. Wisconsin Main Street has worked with downtown organizations, municipalities, small business owners and landlords to foster a high quality, public environment in the heart of the community. Here in Southwest Wisconsin, we have several Main Street Communities; Darlington, Monroe, Platteville and Shullsburg as well as many Connect Communities, including: Cuba City, Blanchardville and New Glarus. Cory Ritterbusch, Executive Director of Advance Shullsburg says, “rural small towns like these lack the capacity and knowledge to foster the growth of these downtown areas and we need the expertise provided by the Main Street Program. They provide knowledge and experience that we would spend tremendous amounts of time and money without them.” Remember as you visit these downtowns that their vibrancy can be attributed to the services provided by this state run program and the staff and volunteers that put the pieces in place. “These towns committed a lot of time and have earned the trust of the WEDC to get accepted.” Ritterbusch added.
Learn More about Shullsburg, Darlington, Cuba City and Blanchardville!
Lafayette County’s Main Streets and Downtowns offer wonderful boutiques for shopping year round in our communities. The first Saturday in April, these boutiques extend their hours, roll out some great specials and invite ladies everywhere to experience all of the fantastic shopping options by partaking in the Lafayette County Boutique Trail! So be sure to mark your calendars for a full day of shopping! It’s going to be a BLAST! There are several unique clothing boutiques sprinkled across Lafayette County, and we want you to enjoy them all. Pick any of our small towns to start in, grab a late breakfast, and head out on the trail! All of our participating boutique shops will be open from 10am-6pm, and have surprise specials and discounts available to you! Pick up your “Passport” that day in any of the participating boutiques, get a stamp on your passport at each shop and once you have gotten your last stamp, turn in your passport for a chance to win a gift basket stuffed with goodies from our participating shops!
