[OMS_MANAGERS] Downtown Update - May 2026 Newsletter

[La Grande Main Street Downtown]

Email from La Grande Main Street Downtown May 2026 Newsletter LA GRANDE MAIN STREET DOWNTOWN About Us Support Our Mission Greetings! Our weather is still a tad erratic, but at least it's been interesting! Our Main Street Monday Neighborhood Coffee is scheduled for June 1st and the 66th Annual Crazy Days is a little less than two months away. Summer just became a lot more fun!   Oregon Main Street Revitalization Grant Spotlight: Former Elks Lodge While La Grande Main Street Downtown (LGMSD) is known for its signature community events, some of our most impactful work happens behind the scenes. One key role we play is supporting local property owners through the Oregon Main Street Revitalization Grant (OMSRG), a statewide program created in 2015 to help restore and reactivate historic downtown buildings. Administered by Oregon Heritage, OMSRG funds preservation-based redevelopment that strengthens rural communities. Projects must show community benefit, economic impact, and a commitment to historic preservation, with eligible work ranging from façade restoration to adaptive reuse and code-compliance upgrades. LGMSD was proud to help secure a $200,000 matching grant for the restoration of one of La Grande’s most recognizable buildings: the former Elks Lodge at 1124 Washington Avenue, later the Maridell Center and now home to Evermine Labels and Press Room Coffee & Books. Building owners Jeanne and David Williamson, working with Friends of La Grande Main Street, removed the non-historic façade, reopened original window spaces, and brought the exterior closer to its 1914 appearance, all in accordance with SHPO standards. Originally constructed in 1914 as Elks Lodge No. 433, the building once featured three upper floors and even a basement swimming pool. A 1970 fire and a 1971–72 remodel dramatically altered its appearance, making a full restoration impossible. Still, the OMSRG-supported project allowed the team to uncover surviving historic elements and reconstruct missing features where feasible. Work unfolded in two major phases, along Depot Street and then Washington Avenue, with a third year added to accommodate supply-chain delays. This project was one of 27 matching grants totaling nearly $5 million awarded statewide that cycle, with at least half of all funds dedicated to rural communities. That investment continues to benefit Eastern Oregon by helping historic buildings remain active contributors to local economic vitality. Today, the renewed façade stands as a testament to what dedicated property owners, community partners, and statewide preservation programs can accomplish together—strengthening the visual fabric of downtown La Grande and supporting the growth of a beloved local business. The progression from Elks Club (1970) to Maridell Center to Evermine Labels and Press Room Coffee & Books! A hearty welcome to La Grande Main Street Downtown to Henneke Solutions! They provide reliable and effective solutions for your technology needs, from setup to troubleshooting and are dedicated to delivering expert IT services and support for your business and personal growth. A tip of the LGMSD hat to our renewing partners--Brent Clapp Productions and Community Kindness of Eastern Oregon. Thank you for your ongoing support throughout the years! Downtown Resident Survey  La Grande Main Street Downtown is once again inviting residents of the downtown district to share their perspectives through the Downtown Resident Survey, which is still open for participation. With nearly 200 people calling the neighborhood home, this survey remains an important opportunity for those living in the heart of La Grande to help shape future priorities, improvements, and initiatives. Your insights continue to guide our efforts to make downtown an even more welcoming, livable, and connected place. You can still take the survey by scanning the QR code above or visiting www.lagrandemainstreet.org. MAIN STREET MONDAY NEIGHBORHOOD DOWNTOWN COFFEE La Grande Main Street Downtown has invited our downtown community to gather for a warm and welcoming start to the week at our upcoming Main Street Monday Neighborhood Coffee on Monday, June 1, from 9:30 to 10:30 AM at The Press Room, 1124 Washington Avenue. This casual morning meetup offers a chance for Shop owners and local service pros who help keep properties neat and tidy to come together and share ideas for making Downtown La Grande even lovelier. all the while enjoying complimentary drip coffee. Hosted by La Grande Main Street Downtown, a proud member of Main Street America, this hour of conversation and collaboration is a simple way to stay engaged and help shape the future of our historic district. Reservations are appreciated. To reserve your space or if you have any questions, please call Jeanne Williamson at 503-433-5922 or drop her an email at jeannew at evermine. com. Stars, Stripes & Summer Nights: 66th Annual Crazy Days Downtown La Grande is gearing up for one of its most beloved traditions, the 66th Annual Crazy Days and La Grande Classic Car Show, happening Friday, July 17, and Saturday, July 18, 2026! This year’s theme, Stars, Stripes & Summer Nights, promises two days of fun, food, and festivities up and down Adams Avenue and the surrounding side streets. Friday brings big sales from downtown merchants, while Saturday fills the streets with classic cars, craft and food vendors (including Merlyn’s famous Over-the-Top breakfast), informational booths, games, and family-friendly activities. There will also be a Downtown Window Decorating Contest to add to the fun! Call for Vendors! La Grande Main Street Downtown invites local makers, food vendors, and artisans to join the celebration on Saturday, July 18. It’s a great opportunity to showcase your products and be part of this long-running community tradition. Applications are available at lagrandemainstreet.org/events, by calling 541-963-1223, or by emailing lgmsdsocial at gmail.com. Brought to you by La Grande Main Street Downtown and the Timber Cruisers Car Club, Crazy Days is where community pride shines brightest, so mark your calendar and come celebrate summer in true La Grande style! Have an event coming up that you’d like La Grande Main Street Downtown to help share? We will be launching a monthly “Goings-On in Downtown La Grande” roundup in the Newsletter and would love to include your happenings. Call us at 541-963-1223 or email lgmsdsocial at gmail.com with your event details (and graphics, if you have them). May Happenings at Cook Memorial Library  The last Storytime for the month is Thursday, May 28 at 10:30 AM in the Story Circle. Join us for songs, stories, and crafts. Summer Reading Program registration opened on Tuesday, May 12. Download the Beanstack app to register for Summer Reading! This year’s theme is “Plant a Seed, Read,” and runs from June 9 – August 7. Visit our StoryWalk© at Riverside Park along the Greenway and the Linda Elegant Memorial StoryWalk© at Birnie Park. Books are sponsored by local individuals, families, and businesses. Discover and Go: Cultural Passes are available with a library card. Free passes are available for the Children’s Museum of Eastern Oregon, OMSI, the Columbia Gorge Museum, and more! See the link from the library’s webpage. Provided by the Libraries of Eastern Oregon. Get weekly updates on events, the latest additions to our collections, and more with our newsletter through Wowbrary. Visit wowbrary.org to sign up. All library activities are free and held at Cook Memorial Library at 2006 4th Street in La Grande, unless otherwise noted. Visit CookMemorialLibrary.org, follow the library’s social media pages, or call 541-962-1339 for details. We're always looking for volunteers! Give back to your community through work on one of our main committees (Promotion, Design, Economic Vitality, or Outreach) or help downtown clean up, or a specific event! Click HERE to see all the different opportunities Interested in being a Partner? Learn more about our impact in the community and our available partnership levels on our website here. LGMSD Partners Allied Mortgage - a division of Mann Mortgage LLC Anderson Perry Associated Design and Engineering BELLA Mercantile Benchwarmers Pub & Grill Birddog Glass Blue Summit Realty Blue Mountain Outfitters Brent Clapp Media Cam Credits City of La Grande Clanktronix/The Archives Claudson's Sew and Soak Community Kindness of Eastern Oregon Community Merchants Connected Professional Accountants LLC Country Financial, Paul Swigert Direct Music Source Dirty Girls Detailing Edge Home Finance - Team Klebaum Edward Jones - Shawn Mangum Eastern Oregon University Eleven Fifteen Salon Elkhorn Media Group Evermine Labels Fairway Independent Mortgage Fitzgerald Flowers Flying Cloud Gifts Grande Ronde Hospital Guyer and Associates JC Woodworks K Voelz Wines La Grande Theatres Longbranch Lucy's Boutiques at the Market Place Underground Mardy and Madden Publishing Mary Ann and Arlan Miesner Merlyn's Catering MJ Goss Motors Monkeys On The Run Mountain Valley Therapy Mountain Works Nate Conklin State Farm Nature's Pantry Northwest Furniture & Mattress OTEC Perky's Play Cafe Press Room Coffee & Books Raul's Taqueria RE/MAX Real Estate Team Rob's Speedy Delivery Rosewood Cottage Scott's Heating and Air Side A Brewing Sorbenots Tap That! Growlers, LLC The Potter's House The Royal Clothiers Timothy Bishop Travelodge Union County Chamber of Commerce/Tourism United Finance Wheatland Insurance Williamson Insurance ​Ziply Fiber   Upcoming Events   Contact Us     Share This Email Share This Email Share This Email About Events Calendar Projects Contact La Grande Main Street Downtown | 102 Depot St | La Grande, OR 97850 US Unsubscribe | Update Profile | Constant Contact Data Notice
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