Upstairs Downtown: An Award Winner
In 2006, Main Street Greenwood won the "Best Creative Fundraising Event" award for its Upstairs Downtown event. This year promises to be even better than the last. Below is the entry that was submitted; the won that brought home first prize from the Mississippi Main Street Awards.
Submitted by Main Street Greenwood, Inc.
Want to live in luxury and style in an exciting and prestigious downtown district? Urban style live/work lofts, downtown luxuries and amenities, spacious floor-plans, unique contemporary features converging with historic architecture, and a community feel. Just steps away from some of the Delta’s best dining, shopping, and entertainment. Yes, we’re talking about Downtown Greenwood, Mississippi!
Downtown Greenwood is well on its way to becoming a tourist attraction by virtue of the character of buildings, location, selections of unique businesses, and events held there, but now recently is enticing a new crowd who wants to stay and live downtown. Many of the charming buildings and boutiques that draw the crowds to Greenwood have equally appealing second floors not always seen by visitors, or even locals for that matter. To satisfy the growing curiosity about these mysterious upper rooms, Main Street Greenwood held ‘Upstairs Downtown’ which showcased seven of the living spaces created in renovated historic structures.
The planning committee, lead by Beth Williams general manager of the Alluvian Hotel, began with identifying occupied lofts or street level apartments that might be available for a tour. Property owners and tenants were contacted, and six emerged with enthusiasm to share their homes with the public. The next step involved identifying sponsors and assigning a theme to capture the uniqueness of each space. With sponsors confirmed, food and drink menus selected, and volunteer hosts strategically assigned to assist our guests along the tour route, we were set for a great Downtown event. Tickets were sold in advance for $15 or $20 the day of the event.
With over 400 people in attendance, the event drew visitors from across Mississippi and Arkansas who mingled with Greenwood residents for an evening of design discovery, economic development awareness, and promotional success in our charming downtown. Guests learned tidbits of history about the architecture of the building and its previous uses at each stop (see attached program) while enjoying hors d’ oeuvres and drinks provided by sponsors or in-kind donations from local restaurants. Downtown boutiques offered extended hours for evening shopping between stops along the tour.
Property owners and occupants, 16 sponsoring local businesses, and Main Street Greenwood collaborated to create a self-guided tour of Downtown’s premier lofts and apartments. Over $7,000 was raised to benefit Main Street Greenwood’s revitalization efforts. With the loft trend in full swing nation wide, Greenwood’s downtown property owners are on the cutting edge of downtown living, and guests, foreign and domestic alike, are asking for an annual tour of what Downtown Greenwood has to offer!
Submitted by Main Street Greenwood, Inc.
Want to live in luxury and style in an exciting and prestigious downtown district? Urban style live/work lofts, downtown luxuries and amenities, spacious floor-plans, unique contemporary features converging with historic architecture, and a community feel. Just steps away from some of the Delta’s best dining, shopping, and entertainment. Yes, we’re talking about Downtown Greenwood, Mississippi!
Downtown Greenwood is well on its way to becoming a tourist attraction by virtue of the character of buildings, location, selections of unique businesses, and events held there, but now recently is enticing a new crowd who wants to stay and live downtown. Many of the charming buildings and boutiques that draw the crowds to Greenwood have equally appealing second floors not always seen by visitors, or even locals for that matter. To satisfy the growing curiosity about these mysterious upper rooms, Main Street Greenwood held ‘Upstairs Downtown’ which showcased seven of the living spaces created in renovated historic structures.
The planning committee, lead by Beth Williams general manager of the Alluvian Hotel, began with identifying occupied lofts or street level apartments that might be available for a tour. Property owners and tenants were contacted, and six emerged with enthusiasm to share their homes with the public. The next step involved identifying sponsors and assigning a theme to capture the uniqueness of each space. With sponsors confirmed, food and drink menus selected, and volunteer hosts strategically assigned to assist our guests along the tour route, we were set for a great Downtown event. Tickets were sold in advance for $15 or $20 the day of the event.
With over 400 people in attendance, the event drew visitors from across Mississippi and Arkansas who mingled with Greenwood residents for an evening of design discovery, economic development awareness, and promotional success in our charming downtown. Guests learned tidbits of history about the architecture of the building and its previous uses at each stop (see attached program) while enjoying hors d’ oeuvres and drinks provided by sponsors or in-kind donations from local restaurants. Downtown boutiques offered extended hours for evening shopping between stops along the tour.
Property owners and occupants, 16 sponsoring local businesses, and Main Street Greenwood collaborated to create a self-guided tour of Downtown’s premier lofts and apartments. Over $7,000 was raised to benefit Main Street Greenwood’s revitalization efforts. With the loft trend in full swing nation wide, Greenwood’s downtown property owners are on the cutting edge of downtown living, and guests, foreign and domestic alike, are asking for an annual tour of what Downtown Greenwood has to offer!
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