Call me if you need a kitten. Only two left!  (and one Mama kitty…they were all found in the alley behind us)

p.s.  We do pet portraits!!!

For YEARS we have been hearing about the incredible streetscape project in Downtown Statesboro – now it is OFFICIAL!  Sunday’s Statesboro Herald featured my studio in the rendering to show off the new STREET!  Most people have to move to get a new street or new view – not us!

There will be some construction challenges during the next few months – but we will have their schedule and can let you know the best way to access our studio.  During the construction period we will be operating on an appointment only basis on most days.  So before you head into the studio (even to pick up your portraits) please call first 912-764-7274 to find out when we will be in the studio and how the best way to reach us is.

I think we have one of the prettiest little downtowns in America already.  But when this is finished – you will ALL want to work, live and play in our Downtown!

Watch for updates on the blog as we progress!

Edie Grace’s cousin Brooke spent the night at our house last night.   Yesterday afternoon we ran out to the mall and saw a parking lot fair set up near Chick-fil-A.  Of course, the girls wanted to go.  DeWayne told them if they could figure out a way to make some money then he would take them to the fair.  Well the brainstorming began.  They decided to “open” up “TWO COUSIN’S LEMONADE” stand at the Farmers Market.  Their idea was better than just an ordinary lemonade stand.  They came up with an idea to make it portable.  They thought it would increase their sales and exposure if they could move around.  So they became an instant hit this morning and sold ten GALLONS of lemonade.  Thanks to ALL of you who came to the Farmers Market and enjoyed a great glass of “homemade” lemonade from the cousins.

We are off to two birthday parties and then we will be spending some hard earned money at the fair.  Don’t you just love CAPITALISM?  Of course, they will not be blowing it all.  They have decided to tithe ten percent and save ten percent. (Dave Ramsey eat your heart out!)

Watch for the fair report later.   Debra Chester who is the mistress of magic when it comes to the Farmers Market – is showing off the new recyclable Farmer’s Market bags which will be on sale every Saturday for $3.00.  I am amazed at how many of you are using your recyclable Lori Grice bags at the market.  That THRILLS me to see all my bags being used by you!

Often you have heard me talk about Dave Ramsey and his book, “Total Money Makeover”.  The meeting will be simulcast all over the world on Thursday night.  We will be attending the one at First Methodist Church in Statesboro.  You can go onto his web site, put in your zip code and find the closest one to you.  He is going to share with us why he has chosen NOT to participate in the recession – instead he is following God’s plan.

  Really now – I think you are the ONLY person not in Downtown Statesboro at this very moment.  Don’t worry, there is still time to save face.  Celebration South food and entertainment festival is going on until 10PM.  More great bands are on cue and there is LOTS of great food and DRINKS!  Here are a few pictures so you can see what you are MISSING.  See you downtown Statesboro!  

Today is the day to be in the Boro.  We started the day with an incredible farmers market and we are continuing our day downtown with Celebration South Music Festival until 10 PM tonight.  While you are in the Boro – drop by Dingus Magees and help them celebrate their 30th anniversary with $3.99 chicken baskets.  EVERYONE is here but YOU!

Come on DOWN!

(REPRINTING HERE FOR MY BLOG READERS – THIS IS DOWNTOWN STATESBORO’s Newsletter)

MEMO FROM MAINSTREET

The secret is out!  Our office has moved!  We are located at 10 Siebald Street.  We are located 2 doors down from the Averitt Art Center and right across the street from the Courthouse.  We have been so busy organizing downtown events that our office still looks like we are moving in!  But, we’d love to see you, so come by and see us anytime 8:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday! 

Frist Friday this month is all about "Spring Into Downtown – Easter Egg Hunt", be sure to bring your own Easter basket!

On Saturday, April 18th from 9:00 a.m. to noon the Farmers’ Market will be opening for this years’ farming season!  Downtown Statesboro Deveolpment Authority board member Debra Chester and the Farmers’ Market committees have been working very hard the past few months to better organize and improve Farmers’ Market for this season.  These efforts include bringing in the SNAP program EBT system.  By doing this it will be possible for the Farmers’ Market to handle "food stamps".  Also, something new this season, Farmers’ Market will be held EVERY Saturday in the Downtown Sea Island Bank parking lot!

Continue reading “Main Street Statesboro Newsletter”

If you missed the March F1RST Friday you really missed a treat, but don’t worry…there is another one THIS FRIDAY!!!

Load up the kids, grab your Easter Baskets and head downtown for LOTS of family fun.

This month’s theme is “Spring into Downtown” and that is exactly what you can do with your family!  This “eggstra-special” F1RST Friday will feature an egg “hunt” all over downtown.  It is easy, really, all you have to do is:

1. Pick up a map from the courthouse square
2. Visit as many of the participating merchants as you can and collect an egg (filled with candy and a ticket for a chance to win a prize) from each one (ALL ages are welcome to participate!!!)
3. Make it back to the courthouse by 7:55pm to turn in 1/2 of each ticket you find in your eggs.  (keep the other 1/2)  The more eggs you collect the more FREE candy you get and the more tickets you collect – so the more chances you have to win!

At 8pm, we will begin drawing for prizes!  Remember, the more eggs you gather, the more chances you will have to win.  So happy “hunting”!!!

What will you win you ask???  Incredible Gift certificates from the participating merchants!   

There will be live music, “bouncies” for the kids thanks to Party Harbor and a sidewalk fair of charities.  The charities will be having bake sales and other fun stuff that you will love participating in!

So pack up the kids and head downtown in the ‘Boro…you will be glad that you did!

I know you have heard the buzz about how much fun the “NEW” F1RST Fridays are – but don’t take our word for it…check out this video to see how incredible last months was:

 Last night was the most incredible First Friday EVER!  Allen Muldrew and Anita Hall our new Main Street team did an amazing job and worked their buns off to make this event so amazing.  The spent time meeting with merchants and listening to our ideas and suggestions.  From this they put together this amazing event.  Over 20 restaurants from the downtown district participated along with partner businesses.  The progressive tasting encouraged participants to walk throughout the downtown area and visit shops they may have never taken the time to enter.  The tasting along with the family focus made this a special evening downtown.  Party Harbor provided bouncey’s for the kids and there was a line for them all night.  Thank you for attending and please mark your calendar to attend the next First Friday, Friday, April 3.

A special THANKS to Party Harbor, the restaurants and ALL of the merchants how stayed open late for the event.

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A message from Madison Merrifield – hope to see you here!

Hey Guys!

We have a really cool fundraiser this Friday, March 6th, at Statesboro’s Downtown F1RST Friday! Getting the right profile pic is super hard- you need the perfect light, a cool background, a great smile (but you can’t look stupid!), etc… And sometimes, you just wish someone who knows what they’re doing would help you, right?
Well, I’ve got the perfect solution! Lori Grice, an AMAZING photographer (and cancer survivor!) has offered do a PROFESSIONAL Facebook profile pic for FREE for everyone who makes a donation to Madison’s Friends! How cool is that? Get an awesome profile pic and raise money for Relay all at once! Super fun!
So come on to Lori’s studio in Downtown Statesboro (across from the Emma Kelly theater) on Friday at anytime from 5:30-7:15pm. Even if you can’t come, forward this to all your friends, so we can get the word out! Hope to see you there!

-Madison Merrifield