Category: Uncategorized

  • 2016 Blues in the District Announce Artist Lineup

    Hours Today: By appointment only


    This summer will be the 19th season of The District’s Blues in the District Concert Series. The concerts are held in Washington Park 5:30pm – 9:30pm and are free to the public.

    Kicking off this year’s season on June 10 will be Katy Guillen & the Girls, based out of Kansas City MO and a finalist in the 2014 International Blues Challenge. Other acts throughout the season will be legendary Blues Band out of Chicago Il Dave Weld and the Imperial Flames (June 24), Studebaker John & the Hawks (July 8), Reverend Raven & the Chain Smokin’ Altar Boys (July 22), local Quincy Il band Soul Shaker (August 12) and returning act Hector Anchondo (August 26).

    “Our committee has been working hard and we have a great season in store for Blues in the District,” said Bruce Guthrie, Executive Director The District. “We have great acts that will be coming in and some wonderful vendors and sponsors this year. We are looking forward to seeing all of our friends back in the park for a great summer of Blues music.” All the details about the Blues in the District concerts can be found online at dist.flywheelsites.com


    The District is a non-profit organization with the mission of promoting, revitalizing and preserving Quincy’s Historic Business District through broad-based community support, including both public and private partnerships. The District extends from Front Street to Twelfth Street, and Broadway to State Streets. For more information on the Historic Quincy Business District please log on to dist.flywheelsites.com.

    More Info: 2016 Blues in the District Announce Artist Lineup

  • 2022 Retail Promotions

    Hours Today: By appointment only


    2022 Retail Promotions – Sign Up Here

    This page is for DISTRICT-BASED BUSINESSES who want to sign up to participate in Retail Promotion events. For general public, stay tuned for information on participating businesses of each event!

    After you sign up, The District will contact you via email with the next steps and invoice. Checks payable to The District may be mailed or dropped off to 128 N 5th St.

    CLICK HERE FOR THE SIGN UP FORM

    Upcoming 2022 Retail Promotions

    • Shop Local Saturdays (5/7, 8/13) -$70 each
    • Fri-Yay! Shop Hop (9/16) -$70
    • Trick or Treat in The District (10/29) -$25
    • Small Business Saturday Ad Wrap (11/23’s Herald Whig) -$70
    • Thankful Thursdays (12/1, 12/8, 12/15) – sold together for $35 total

    Shop Local Saturdays – local versions of “Small Business Saturday” to promote local businesses

    • Participating businesses get a post on The District’s Facebook page
    • Copy and a maximum of five photos to be provided by retailer by deadline. If nothing is provided by the business, The District is not responsible for sharing any sponsored content.  
    • Counter Cards featuring participating businesses
    • Posters featuring participating businesses
    • Promotion on The District’s Website and Facebook page
    • Promoted with Events created on Facebook by The District
    • Press Release to Media Outlets
    • Advertising: Print or radio advertising TBD
    • Participating businesses must be open during event hours

    Fri-Yay Shop Hop (formerly Ladies Nights) – visitors to The District travel business-to-business and sign up to win a gift basket

    • Participating businesses get a post on The District’s Facebook page
    • Businesses donate an item or items for a Gift Basket giveaway, announced Monday after event. Customers can enter at each business. No purchase necessary to enter giveaway.
    • Copy and a maximum of five photos to be provided by retailer by deadline. If nothing is provided by the business, The District is not responsible for sharing any sponsored content. 
    • Counter Cards featuring participating businesses
    • Posters featuring participating businesses
    • Promoted with Events created on Facebook by The District
    • Press Release to Media Outlets
    • Advertising: Print or radio advertising TBD
    • Participating businesses must be open during event hours

    Trick or Treat in The District – family friendly event which drives customers to The District (note: The District will not provide items to hand out this year; therefore, only the $25 option is available in 2022).

    • Counter Cards
    • Posters
    • Added as Co-Host on Facebook Event 
    • Store included on Trick or Treat Map
    • Promotion on The District’s Website and Facebook page

    Small Business Saturday Ad Wrap – reach a massive audience of pre-Small Business Saturday shoppers in this popular edition of the Herald Whig

    • Facebook posts for the event 
    • Businesses included in Thanksgiving Ad Wrap in Herald-Whig
    • Direct email to District list of Ad Wrap
    • Amex Merchandising including posters, signs, online graphics, bags, pens, etc.
    • Promotion of Ad Wrap on  The District’s Facebook page
    • Press release

    Thankful Thursday – Shop Late ‘til 8 – reach Holiday Shoppers in this event which is heavily cross-promoted with Light The Park and other holiday events in The District

    • Boosted Facebook posts for the event 
    • Map featuring participating businesses handed out at Santa’s House & In Stores
    • Promotion on The District’s Website and Facebook page
    • Press Release

    CLICK HERE FOR THE SIGN UP FORM

    NOTES

    • Marketing elements subject to change without notice
    • Added Value: Q Magazine ads & Various TV, Radio, and Newspaper Ads 

    More Info: 2022 Retail Promotions

  • Concerts In The Plaza Season Kick Off

    Hours Today: By appointment only


    The 3rd Annual Concerts in the Plaza are kicking off at the end of April.

    Enjoy FREE lunchtime concerts with your favorite local musicians, held in the First Mid Illinois Bank Plaza on Maine Street near Seventh.

    All concerts are 11:30a to 1p.

    Friday, April 29 – Avenue Beat
    Friday, May 6 – Devonte Jonvire Clark
    Friday, May 13 – HartLyss
    Friday, May 20 – Jacqueline Kaufman

    Grab a brown bag lunch, hit up The Maine Course Quincy food truck, or something to go from your favorite restaurant in The District and have a picnic with local live music.

    FRIDAYS: April 29, May 6, 13 & 20

    Sponsored by the First Mid-Illinois Bank & Trust, Second String Music and The District.

    More Info: Concerts In The Plaza Season Kick Off

  • Farmers Market Application Now Available

    Hours Today: By appointment only


    Events QFMThe 2016 Farmers Market Vendor Application is now available to producers and growers in the region. The market is also accepting prepared food vendors, as well as hand made and one-of-a-kind artisan vendors this season.

    The Farmers Market run Saturdays, May 7 – October 29 from 7a-12p.

    For more information and to apply, please click the link: 2016 Vendor Handbook

    We are also pleased to introduce to you our new Market Manager, Hannah Simpson, who will be joining us this season. Stop by the information tent and say hello!

    **Based on the 2015 customer survey, prepared food, coffee, cheese and bread vendors are desired and recommended to apply.

    More Info: Farmers Market Application Now Available

  • Holiday Loft Tour in The District

    Hours Today: By appointment only


     

    8th & Maine

    Holiday Loft Tour in The District!

    The District is hosting a Christmas Loft Tour on December 4 from 5-8 p.m. at a variety of buildings in the area of 4th, 5th, 6th and Maine to Vermont. Tickets will be $10 in advance and $12 the night of the tour.

    See what downtown living looks like for those who enjoy the convenience of being close to work, dining, shopping and entertainment.

    A modern lifestyle, all while being surrounded by history and archetecture.

    Addresses of the lofts are 214 ½ North 6th, 121 North 6th, 114 North 6th, 505 Maine and 405 Hampshire and is at your own pace in any order.

    The ability to climb stairs is required. Those attending are asked to wear slip off shoes and remove them when entering the apartments.

    Locations to purchase tickets are; Brown Drug Company – 1121 Maine Street, Kirlin’s Hallmark – 534 Maine Street, Home Bank previously known as Bank of Quincy – 1132 Broadway, Classic Colors – 1200 State, Martinis at 515 – 515 Maine and The District –128 N. 5th Street.

    The District is a volunteer driven organization with a mission to promote, revitalize, and preserve Quincy’s historic business district through a broad-based community support, including both public and private partnerships. The District extends from Front Street to Twelfth Street, and Broadway to State Streets. For more information on The District please log on to dist.flywheelsites.com.

    More Info: Holiday Loft Tour in The District

  • Light The District

    Hours Today: By appointment only


    2015lightup

    Years ago, during the holiday season, Washington Park was aglow with lights strung from the trees and along the gazebo making The District a holiday destination for visitors. That hasn’t been the case in the past few years, but The District Board is trying to bring back the festive cheer.

    The City of Quincy decorates every other light pole with garland and lights down Maine Street and several months ago a committee was formed to explore additional possibilities. We surveyed our members and business owners to gain more insight on what our community would like to see this season and the nostalgia of years past is top of the list.

    Our first priority is to bring back a picturesque holiday atmosphere in the park, followed by adding decorations to the bare light poles along Maine. The list continues and depending on the generosity of the community, much more could be in store. Awerkamp Machine Company has already agreed to build a stunning centerpiece for the park, but are still in need of funds. We have an estimate of $15,000 to complete the decoration project.

    We are reaching out to you today for support of this project. It always amazes us how Quincyians come together when asked to improve our city. Any donation would be greatly appreciated by The District Board and our community as a whole.  All donations are tax deductible.As always, thank you for your continued support. If there is anything that we can do to assist you, please do not hesitate to contact us.

    Sincerely,
    Bruce Guthrie

    More Info: Light The District

  • New District Partnerships Available!

    Hours Today: By appointment only


    Partnerships throughout the year now available.

    Highlight your business and establish an ongoing community pretense throughout the year by partnering with The District. With over 40 ongoing programs, partnerships are flexible and may be tailored to fit the needs of your organization.

    Please Click the Link below or call the office for more information: (217) 228-8696
    2016 District Partnerships 

    Become a partner. Be Right On Q With The District

    Partnerships Include
    Visionary Partner – Presence at all 40+ events throughout the year – NEW
    Annual Dinner
    St. Patrick’s Pub Crawl
    Unique Spaces Tour – NEW
    Ecumenical Easter Egg Hunt
    Dogwood Concert
    All Faiths Concert – NEW
    Broker Tour – NEW
    Concerts in the Plaza – 4 concerts in the series
    Farmers’ Market – 20 markets in the season
    Blues In The District – 6 concerts in the series
    Progressive Dinner
    Great River Grape Escape – NEW
    Community Farm-To-Table Dinner – NEW
    Loft Tour – NEW
    Light the Square & The District – NEW
    Christkind Market – New Location

    It always makes a difference when someone foes the extra mile for you. It’s the difference between a routine customer experience and one the builds fierce loyalty. Between an obstacle and an opportunity. Extra effort, rather, caring can change the way you think and act. Since you can’t always pay it back, you pay it forward. And that extra effort usually comes exactly when it’s needed most. Right on Q.

    As Quincy-ans, you are Right on Q.

    More Info: New District Partnerships Available!

  • Newcomb Fire

    Hours Today: By appointment only


    The Historic Quincy Business District has decided to tweak our website a bit. We have removed the “Downtown News” section and replaced it with our blog, giving us an opportunity to share our thoughts and commentary in a new forum.

    We felt it was appropriate for our first post to be from Executive Director Travis Brown regarding the fire at the Newcomb Hotel last night. These were his thoughts at the conclusion of last night.

     

    I will have plenty more to say in the coming days and weeks to be sure, tonight before heading home I want to share these thoughts:

    1. Tonight, I couldn’t be prouder to be a resident of the City of Quincy. Having the opportunity to see up close the unbelievable efforts of the City was amazing. Chiefs Joe Henning and Rob Copely and the entire QFD and QPD were nothing short of remarkable in their efforts to save the building and then contain the fire. John Simon and the Adams County EMA were phenomenal in moving residents from the Lincoln-Douglas and doing so many other unseen things that often don’t get recognized. The City Officials, from Engineering to Planning to Kyle Moore for Mayor and several city council members were all on hand to pitch in. They were planning the next steps to keep everyone safe and keep things moving in a positive direction for Quincy. It was something I am glad I had the chance to witness. These dedicated public servants are owed a great deal of respect and adulation, and I for one am immensely proud they serve OUR community.

    2. The business owners are resilient. While this wasn’t their building, there will be smoke damage, road closures and a number of other issues we have to work through in the coming days. But tonight was another one of those nights where everyone just wanted to come together to make sure each other was alright. Employees came down, property owners came down, everyone wanting to know if there was something they can do to help. For now, we have to play the waiting game and let the professionals deal with the situation at hand. However, it was great to see them come together. I’m glad I got to see them and let them know that we (myself, our organization, and our community) are here to support them however we can.

    3. The heartache. Being this far along in the process to have the Newcomb redeveloped and having such devastation is gut-wrenching. As you watch the flames devour the magnificent structure you couldn’t help but feel sick knowing the potential for revitalization has been lost.

    4.It could have been worse. You never want to lose a building, any building, for any reason. You especially don’t want to see so many people put in jeopardy because of a raging fire. But it could have been worse. It could have been an occupied building, a residential building. It could have housed a vibrant business. It could have been in the middle of a block. It could have been worse. The fire occurred in a building which has been vacant for many, many years. It was contained to just that structure. None of the QFD officers appear to be injured. Even in the midst of the heartache I can’t help but be thankful because it most certainly could have been worse.

    More Info: Newcomb Fire

  • The District to host Downtown Residential Redevelopment Seminar

    Hours Today: By appointment only


    The District will be hosting a seminar on the Downtown Residential Redevelopment Program (DRRP) on Wednesday July 13 at 5:30pm at Martinis at 515.  The City of Quincy and The District realize the most significant challenges to further development of the downtown are the shortage of market rate apartments.  The District has numerous 2nd and 3rd floor vacant and underutilized spaces in buildings that are available for redevelopment.

    The City of Quincy is offering Tax Increment Finance (TIF) funding to assist redevelopment proposals for upper story residential renovation projects that develop market rate rental housing units. The City is requesting building owners to submit proposals for upper-story residential redevelopment projects that will increase market-rate housing opportunities in downtown Quincy.

    Buildings located within the City TIF districts will be eligible for:

    • $25,000 in per unit of TIF funding
    • Sales tax exemption on building materials.
    • Reduction of 50% of building permit fees.

    The seminar will assist developers in any questions on the program and the application process.  The application is due no later that 4pm on August 4, 2016.  RFP specifications and TIF Rental Rehab Guidelines can be found online at www.quincyil.gov/bids.

    The District is a volunteer driven organization with a mission to promote, revitalize, and preserve Quincy’s historic business district through a broad-based community support, including both public and private partnerships. The District extends from Front Street to Twelfth Street, and Broadway to State Streets. For more information on The District please log on to dist.flywheelsites.com.

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    More Info: The District to host Downtown Residential Redevelopment Seminar

  • Unique Spaces Tour

    Hours Today: By appointment only


    Save the date for the inaugural Unique Spaces Tour in The District on Saturday, April 16 from 11a-4p.

    Explore unique buildings that make up Quincy’s heritage and discover something new, as well as find out about commercial and residential ownership and leasing possibilities in The District.
    Tour includes various locations in The District and is at your own pace. Participants can begin at any of the tour locations. Tour locations include:
    History Museum – 332 Maine St.
    Gem City Cabinetry – 131 N. 4th St.
    Washington Theater – 425 Hampshire St.
    Phoenix Building – 621-627 Maine St.
    Masonic Temple – 428 Jersey St.
    Presale Vouchers for the tour may be purchased for $12 through April 15th at 4pm in any one of the following locations:
    State Street Bank – 801 State St. and 4820 Broadway
    Brown Drug Company – 1121 Maine St
    Quincy Area Convention & Visitors Bureau – 532 Gardner Expressway
    The District Office – 128 N 5th St
    Tickets will be available the day of the event for $15 at any of the tour locations.
    For more information please visit TheDistrictQuincy.com or call the office at (217) 228-8696. The District is a volunteer driven 501(c)3 organization with a mission to promote, revitalize, and preserve Quincy’s historic business district through a broad-based community support, including both public and private partnerships.

    More Info: Unique Spaces Tour