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[Massagetherapyworks]

Downtown Monroe is such a lovely town! It's sad to drive through and see so many buildings empty. Can you imagine how nice it would be having some neat shops and cafes and such to draw people into town? Right now, all I do is drive through. There isn't much there to stop for and it's absolutely dead in the evenings. I hear it's very difficult to start up a new business there, but surely the city officials would also like to see something more than resale shops and empty space. You can't tell we are a lakeside city. Other towns like Wyandotte have revitalized their small city and made it quite user friendly.
What would you like to see downtown? Any ideas for improvements?

[sometimes-the-truth-hurts]

Here's an idea: Get rid of the outside fenced-in drinking areas outside of the bars downtown so the disabled and elderly do not have to walk in the street to get around. Consume your alcohol inside the bar so the public does not hear your obnoxious behavior.

[MomEm]

I think there should be a way to keep the outdoor eating areas as well as keep the sidewalks accessible to all.  I'm not weighing in on how it is now, but I think there should be a sensible solution, perhaps "brokered" by one of the tourism or downtown groups... its just bad practice to p*ss potential customers off!

MomEm

[Brian Beneteau]

Downtown Monroe is such a lovely town! It's sad to drive through and see so many buildings empty. Can you imagine how nice it would be having some neat shops and cafes and such to draw people into town? Right now, all I do is drive through. There isn't much there to stop for and it's absolutely dead in the evenings. I hear it's very difficult to start up a new business there, but surely the city officials would also like to see something more than resale shops and empty space.

There are many available properties in the Downtown area which are the perfect place to start a business. They offer low rental amounts and the benefit of having a large work force in the Downtown area, from which many may become customers. The rental rates are in the $5.00 per square foot price range on up, which is much much less than the rates in strip malls or shopping centers.

Anyone interested in starting up a new business venture in the Downtown area should call me and take a look at available properties for lease. We all have ideas for improving Downtown Monroe, so why not be a part of the solution and open up a shop now. I'm not sure why anyone would think it is difficult to start up a new business, but you may direct questions to the DDA/Mainstreet office Downtown for answers to your concerns.

Please call me at 242-5840 from 10am-5pm Monday thru Saturday if you are interested in available properties which I may have. If I don't have anything to suit your needs, perhaps I can direct you to another property owner who may have that special space for you and your new business venture.

[riversbend]

 I think if you read the thread "What do you Like and Dislike about Monroe ?" that parking is an issue for downtown. I knew someone who started a business downtown and just didn't make it. She felt parking was a part of the issue. I don't know, I don't mind walking, but I am not carrying a baby carrier, nor handicapped.  I will park at the back of a parking lot and walk, but not everyone can do that, and for some it is especially hard in the winter months.  I am not sure what types of businesses would be good for downtown, as everyone is different in their likes and dislikes. I think Cafe Classic's was a very good addition to downtown Monroe, and it seems to do a good business.  I would love to see some boutique's with original items that you can't get at Walmart or Meijer, but that is just me. On a different thread they were talking about the Gift Loft and The Bottom Drawer that used to be downtown. I bought my first pair of platform shoes at the Bottom Drawer. lol
I think this thread is a good start to find out just what people would like to see in downtown. Then maybe someone who has the drive and funds to open a new business will get an idea they didn't think of. 

[misttan]

How about a really nice, really well stocked bookstore?  Doesn't have to be a chain store but they can fit in well if need be.  Offer a lot of books on  a lot of different topics, some good music that people can listen to and maybe even a small coffee shop or something. 

[MonroeMom]

How about a decent toy store?

Salon and day spa...

Accessory boutique in one of the smaller spaces...

Gadgets for men store... (gotta give the guys something)

Art gallery....

A satellite of the History Museum with changing displays and dioramas relating to other historical attractions (battlefield, homes, cemetaries)...

An UPSCALE fine dining restaurant (excellent food, service, and decor) with full bar...

But enough already with the coffee shops!! We've surely reached saturation there!

[ShorTea]

Some of the things you seek are already there. Have you tried Me & Mrs. Jones, Purseonally Yours, Trend 440, Cigars & Conversations (Not sure on the name of that store), Jones for Men, The Book Nook, and many others. There is a cute gift shop on Washington St. the name slipped my mind (sorry). If you don't see what you really want, talk to the shop owner. Most business owners really want to keep the customers happy and coming back again. 

[MonroeMom]

More ideas....

...a gift shop with nicer Monroe souvenirs (tshirts, cookbooks, historical and lakeshore stuff)

...boating/lakeside supplies

...hobby store (they used to flourish there!)

...hands-on museum for kids

...indoor rec area for kids (I think there used to be one somewhere in town abt 10 years ago--ball pits, indoor play equipment, water play, etc).

More as they occur to me.

[thebarista]

I think Cafe Classic's was a very good addition to downtown Monroe, and it seems to do a good business. 

thank you for saying so!  we try to have a little something for everyone there. 

i would also love to see some new additions to the dowtown area.  i think we are lacking restaurants that are original to our town.  there are too few and i feel myself getting burned out on them fast.

[MonroeMom]

...a wine shop (not a liquor store!)

...a fresh produce/farmers market shop (for those of us who can't get to the Farmers Market at 6am!)

[riversbend]

...a wine shop (not a liquor store!)

...a fresh produce/farmers market shop (for those of us who can't get to the Farmers Market at 6am!)

Very good ideas. 

[Mayonnaise]

I would like to see outside eateries along the river. To sit out with friend’s and co-workers and have an enjoyable lunch and listening to the water flow and watching the wildlife that may pass by.
Downtown has been working to improve the appearance’s but the backside of some of the buildings could use some improvements. Ok, some could use a lot of improvements.

[Uncle Rico]

I would like to see outside eateries along the river. To sit out with friend’s and co-workers and have an enjoyable lunch and listening to the water flow and watching the wildlife that may pass by.
Downtown has been working to improve the appearance’s but the backside of some of the buildings could use some improvements. Ok, some could use a lot of improvements.

That's a good idea.  The 129 Lounge has a nice deck on the back that sits right by the river.  Too bad that place sucks apart form that.

[chris]

agreed.  we have a lovely waterfront and hardly anything to compliment it.  a few restaurants overlooking the water would be great.  just look at how much business the restaurants in toledo along the river do. 

i also would like to see more of a night life downtown.  not necesarily more bars, but just have stores stay open later on the weekend, kinda like ann arbor.  it would also be great to have a small one screen movie theatre downtown.  nothing fancy, but it would be great to see a movie thats not in the crowded mall.