Letter to the Editor: Downtown Business Association Elects New Officers

(The following letter to the editor was submitted by Darrell Lackey, President of the Downtown Business Association.)

Wentzville Downtown Business Association

August 20, 2013

The Wentzville Downtown Business Association was formed in 2003 with the primary purpose of giving the downtown businesses a collective “voice” in their common needs.  The City of Wentzville was going through some major changes, with one being the development of a major Thoroughfare, the Wentzville Parkway.

Tony Thieman, the owner of Thieman Carpet Company, said that with all of the new establishments springing up on the Parkway, as it was completed, downtown business owners had a concern that the downtown area could be neglected.  “It was a priority to make sure they would still be heard a City Hall” he said.

Today, the association has over 60 members, and a mission to boost awareness of Wentzville’s downtown business district.

“When so many businesses moved to the parkway, we didn’t want the downtown area to become stagnant, “ said Donna-Marie Pierre, current Vice-President of the association and owner of Windows and the Works.  “We wanted to make sure it remains a place people want to go,” she said.

Thanks to the association, its members and other sponsoring organizations, Wentzville’s downtown provides many reasons to visit.  In addition to the site of one of the Country’s first Viet Nam memorials, erected and since enhanced dating back to 1968, there are many more events held throughout the year to draw residents and visitors to the downtown area.  One of the largest of these co-sponsored events is the Annual Wabash Day’s celebration, usually held at the end of August, and honors Wentzville heritage.  In December the Association sponsors a Christmas decorating competition for Businesses, and has in the past offered giant Christmas stockings filled with gifts donated by the members of the Downtown Business Association.  Other Wentzville annual events sponsored by the Association include a Holloween decoration contest;  the Wentzville Hill of Thrills; Christmas Parade including the Winning Float prizes; Rod Runs; and the Taste of Wentzville, to name just a few.

The association gets involved in more than just events.  Pierre said that a disabled resident had approached the association, saying that he would like to be able to access more of the downtown area.  The resident, who used a motorized scooter to get around, could not maneuver across the railroad tracks in the middle of town.  Association members went to the city regarding this matter.  While the city did have future plans for a walkway across the tracks to be installed, they did not have funding to do so immediately.  Thieman, who was the association president at the time, began a campaign among downtown businesses and organizations for the project.  The group raised over $8,500.00, Pierre said, and in 2009 presented a check to the city to help fund the walkway.

In their goal to “keep the downtown area on the map,” Pierre says, the association is very much in sync with other local organizations such as the Wentzville Historical Society, Wentzville Chamber of Commerce, Wentzville School District and the City of Wentzville.

In 2008, the city contracted George Butler and Associates to conduct a study and develop a plan on revitalizing the downtown, or “Village Center” area.  That plan was approved by the City’s Board of Aldermen in May 2009.

In January 2010, the city’s Planning and Zoning commission formally adopted it as a part of the city’s Comprehensive Plan.  According to the city’s website, the plan will serve as a guide as redevelopment occurs in the “Village Center” area.

“We have good interaction with the city,” Thieman said.  Several aldermen regularly attend the association’s monthly meeting, according to Pierre.

“Together,” she said, “We work very hard to maintain a Viable downtown Wentzville.” 

On July 11, 2013, the Association held their annual elections and the results are as follows:

Officers:                                                                                              President, Darrel Lackey
Vice President, Donna-Marie Pierre
Secretary, Gloria Ehll
Treasurer, Bill Vehige

Board Members:
Gloria Ehll
Tony Thieman
Kurt Daniels
Rodney Sherman

With approximately 60 members the Wentzville Downtown Business Association meets on the Second Thursday of every month at the Wentzville American Legion Hall, located on Luetkenhaus Blvd. from 6:15PM till approximately 7:15PM. 

The Board of Directors, meet on the 4th Thursday of every month at a location in the downtown business district.

If you have a concern that you’d like to see our organization consider, please come to a meeting or contact an officer or board member.  Check us out on Facebook, Wentzville Downtown Business Association, call us at (636) 856-0050. 

Coming Soon!

A big announcement regarding a Downtown Wentzville Project!