One of the best examples of what the Main Street program can do for a downtown sits on more than half a city block in Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin.
A family-owned business since 1935, Korger’s Furniture and Decorating opened its new store in 2004.
Co-owner Carol (Korger) Christenson says the 25,000-square-foot, $1.5 million project would not be the award-winning business it is today without help from the Main Street organization.
She credits assistance from the Main Street program regarding design to help the building attain a more upscale interior and exterior design. “We wanted to avoid the warehouse look and wanted the building to blend in with the other older buildings downtown,” Christenson said.
The city was thrilled when it cut the ribbon on the new Korger’s store, since that block had sat empty since 1991 when what was called The Cobban Block burned down.