Downtown Discovery
Main Street Plainfield has undergone a few changes in the past few months. It’s got a new name but a similar mission.
Now rebranded as Discover Downtown Plainfield, the nonprofit organization is still all about supporting downtown Plainfield businesses, historic preservation, visual character and community.
“Our rebrand was done to help everyone understand our territory of promotion. We have plenty of businesses in Plainfield, but our area is what’s considered downtown, starting at Hall-Baker Funeral Home and ending at the Al and Jan Barker Sports Complex, expanding a few blocks north and south from there,” Riley Trosper, executive director, says.
The message Discover Downtown Plainfield wants to convey, according to Trosper, is that there’s always something happening in downtown Plainfield that makes it worth the visit.
“Whether you’re catching a show or going to trivia or bingo night at The Prewitt, taking a walk or a bike ride throughout the trail system, relaxing at an outdoor table at the Oasis Diner or enjoying breakfast at Mama Bird Bakery, downtown Plainfield offers something for all ages,” Trosper says.
Most recently, Discover Downtown Plainfield earned its Aspiring Indiana Accredited Main Street (IAMS) recognition. It’s the next step in the Office of Community and Rural Affairs (OCRA) Downtown Affiliate Network and National Main Street organizations.
It’s not just an accreditation to brag about, either. The benefits are far-reaching.
“Once accredited, it opens up other possibilities to become a community exchange hub. It invites other communities to come in and see what we’re doing right and take that back to their communities,” Trosper says. “It also provides resources and more to our small businesses in Plainfield. The next step is to earn the Nationally Accredited Main Street (NAMS) accreditation.”
Some of those resources include the façade grants that have recently benefited Doug Huff and his new business venture, Roots Market and Eatery. They were able to renovate the historic building with brickwork, painting, an outdoor awning, window restoration and a new staircase.
Further resources will continue to become available, helping small-business owners beautify the downtown area and improve their building façades and businesses in the future.
With a rebrand and the new accreditation, Discover Downtown Plainfield is heading in the right direction, but at the core of its mission, it simply exists to boost the economic vitality and community experience of downtown Plainfield.
“The Main Street America program revitalizes downtowns across the country. We work from an economic vitality standpoint with programming, promotion and events we host,” Trosper says. “We work alongside the Plainfield-Guilford Township Public Library, keeping the history of the downtown buildings and historic preservation initiatives at the forefront, and we work with local organizations such as nonprofits, the Plainfield Chamber of Commerce and the Town of Plainfield for the betterment of the overarching community.”
An eclectic mix of older homes and historic buildings standing next to new construction and modern design, Plainfield is home to residents who remember what the businesses in those historic buildings were in the 1940s and ’50s.
“We want to honor those community members. The town is always changing and growing and evolving. We’re not going to stay the same, but we’re a community with great stories, a great history and some really cool, fun facts,” Trosper says. “We want to highlight this for those who live here and those who don’t. We want to encourage people to come and check it out for themselves.”
Discover Downtown Plainfield will also host several community events this year, both traditions and new opportunities.
“We held our first Purse Bingo fundraiser this spring and it was a huge success. I would look for a similar event coming up this fall,” Trosper says. “We’re working with the town on the Quaker Day Festival. In September, we’ll kick off with the last farmers market on Wednesday, then we’ll do a movie night on the lawn — one for youth, another for seniors — on Thursday, and Friday will be a Music on Main event.”
Music on Main will feature two artists this year, with The American West Band headlining.
“We’ll also have food vendors, lawn games and people are welcome to grab a treat from the Frigid Frog next door,” Trosper says. “It’s a fun time to grab a blanket or lawn chairs, check out all downtown Plainfield has to offer and just be together.”
As the holiday season approaches, Trosper says the traditions begun by the Main Street organization will continue with Elves on the Loose, a scavenger hunt throughout downtown businesses; Light Up Main, a tree-lighting ceremony in Bicentennial Park; and more.
As Plainfield continues to grow, Discover Downtown Plainfield works on getting a finger on the pulse of the downtown area.
They’re compiling a list of businesses, owners and occupants on Main Street; the economic stability of the area; and who is drawn to the downtown space, with the goal of continuing to create a place business owners, residents and visitors want to come to and stay.
It takes a village, Trosper says.
“We always need volunteers. Our committees are open, so if someone is interested in organization, economic vitality, design or promotions, we’d love to have you. If all you have is a smaller time commitment, we always need people to help set up booths, check people in or simply walk in the Quaker Day Parade with us,” Trosper says. “We’ve got room for everyone to come in, stop by and find a spot for them.”
Follow Discover Downtown Plainfield on Facebook for historical facts, upcoming events and more.
