Waupun’s Blue Heron Antiques has been named as the winner of the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation’s annual Main Street Makeover Contest.
Blue Heron Antiques will receive personalized technical assistance and up to $10,000 to implement recommended changes, which could include exterior façade and storefront design improvements along with personalized assistance to boost the business’s image and operations. The makeover will take place this spring.
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“Helping small businesses grow is essential to creating vibrant downtown areas and economically strong communities,” said John Miller, secretary and CEO of WEDC. “We at WEDC are excited to see what Blue Heron Antiques can achieve after the Main Street Makeover.”
Owner Melanie Williams is celebrating 30 years in business this year. She purchased the building to accommodate her growing business in 2000, and has renovated much of the interior and mechanicals, but the storefront still screams ‘1960’s office space’ and does not reflect the character or quality of the merchandise inside.
“I have wanted to do a project like this for many years but always felt I needed someone who understands historic buildings to bring my vision to life,” Williams said. “This award gives me access to the expert design needed to do the project right. Once it’s complete, I’m confident this will have a positive impact on both my business and on our Main Street.”
Blue Heron Antiques will spend several months working with WEDC’s Main Street staff and consultants from Studio GWA, Inc., a Monroe-based architecture firm, on a renovation plan. Blue Heron was selected as the winner based on the potential positive impact of the project on the district, growth potential at the business, and the commitment of the business and community to continued improvement.
The Main Street Makeover Contest is based on the popular reality show concept. Established businesses located in one of the state’s 37 Wisconsin Main Street and 100 Connect Communities had the opportunity to nominate themselves for a “makeover.”
The inaugural 2018 Main Street Makeover winner was Annie’s Fountain City Café in downtown Fond du Lac. The 2025 makeover winner was Craft Creek Brewing in Manitowoc.
