GREEN BAY (NBC 26) -- Main Street in Green Bay has become an example of business leaders and entrepreneurs sticking with their plans through the coronavirus pandemic.
In a one mile stretch, downtown leaders say there are seven businesses redeveloping or preparing to open for the first time.
“We are just incredibly inspired by the resiliency and by the small businesses who want to carry on," Olde Main Street District executive director Jeff Mirkes said.
One example is the Sunrise on Main Boutique. It's an upscale but affordable women's boutique. It also supports a partner nonprofit called Reset.Life. Owner Joan Johnson is moving the business and nonprofit two doors down. The move will give her more space for both operations.
“We’re over there every day getting that space ready and it’s giving us a little more time to do all the preparation and the renovations so that we can open our doors when it’s safe to do so," Johnson said. “We feel that women are going to need our services even more so in terms of our nonprofit programming, that unplanned reset that people are experiencing. They may have new ideas about what’s next for them personally or professionally.”
Mirkes said examples like Johnson's can help provide entrepreneurs the confidence to stay with their business plans. Resources to support those operations continue to evolve.
The Greater Green Bay Chamber has launched a small business hot line to help owners with questions regarding federal assistance programs, financial help, or general business advice.
