The Morning Journal (Lorain, OH)
Main Street seeks membership help
Renewals could boost group
Main Street Lorain has extended 2020 membership into this year, but hopes members can contribute financially in 2021.
Some businesses struggled in 2020 due to the economic conditions caused by the novel coronavirus pandemic, said Kurt Hernon, president of Main Street Lorain.
Due to COVID-19, Main Street Lorain increased the amount of time so 2020 memberships continue this year.
“On the other side, we also had numerous places contact us and say, hey, I did well, you’re in our budget, we want to continue, we like what’s going on down here,” Hernon said.
The United States Bartenders’ Guild had a similar action, keeping members but asking anyone to pay for yearly membership if they have the means.
“We figured, let’s try it and see who has that means,” in Lorain, Hernon said.
Main Street Lorain has 42 business members and 16 individual members.
In his request letter, Hernon said Main Street Lorain remains committed to promoting, beautifying and improving downtown Lorain, despite the uncertainty of the novel coronavirus.
“And when these days of uncertainty become more certain again, we have plans to do so much more,” he said. “Until that time, we will continue to stay strong and adapt, knowing that now, more than ever, our community needs us.”
There are membership levels, starting at $275 for businesses and less than $100 for individuals. The organization will have a drive for new individual members starting this month, Hernon said.
The membership application is available online.
Building a foundation
The COVID-19 pandemic has hurt many people physically and financially.
But, the time allowed the Main Street Board of Directors to set its groundwork as a young organization, instead of trying to do that while organizing big events, Hernon said.
“We did a really good job at it,” he said. “I feel like we built a really strong foundation.
“We built a lot of relationships, had a lot of meetings with people. So, we’re seeing a lot of payoff and support for the organization right now.”
Giveaway coming
Main Street Lorain’s Promotions Committee is planning a Valentine’s Day giveaway this week.
The organization teased it on social media starting Feb. 8.
Hernon said he also is waiting to hear more about it because the Main Street board provides oversight and funding, but the group’s committees create programs.
The committees — devoted to economic vitality, promotion, design and organization — have built their own cultures with help of Heritage Ohio and the time available due to COVID-19 shutdowns, Hernon said.
Heritage Ohio is the state’s official organization supporting historic preservation and Main Street programs.
“They operate,” he said about the committees. “The only thing that they come to the board and myself for is funding, and approval, and do we have the means to do it? Do we have the money to do it? Do we have the manpower to do it at an excellent level?
“Once they make those determinations themselves, it’s their baby. That’s the beautiful thing about it, is, you really have four mini-organizations running the things that are going on for your community.”
In September 2020, Main Street Lorain’s Board of Directors unveiled the 2020 City of Lorain Holiday Ornament.
It was sold by preorder and buyers scooped up some extras that Main Street ordered.
“We’re going to expand it greatly next year,” Hernon said. “It was a major success for us.”
The rollout for the annual ornament could move earlier in the year, possibly during the summer for “Christmas in July” themed events.
Reopening soon
Hernon and his wife, Page, are creators and owners of Speak of the Devil cocktail bar at 201 W. Fifth St.
When coronavirus infection rates began climbing in December, they announced a temporary closure.
It will reopen March 3.