Find unique gift, home and wardrobe items throughout Washington, Iowa! Quaint shops offer up candles, sewing supplies, repurposed vintage items, home goods, books and gifts.
If you’re traveling to Washington for the day, why not spend the night here, too? Hospitality includes motels, unique suites, camping and lodging for groups.
Explore the outdoors in Washington, Iowa! Bikers, hikers and outdoor enthusiasts are welcome here, where we are surrounded by the beauty of nature at every turn.
Performances, movies, visual arts and hands-on creativity take center stage in Washington! Come for the World’s Oldest Continually Operating Movie Theater and stay for the incredible performing arts spaces, art galleries and places to create!
April Cuddeback Named Event Director(4/6/2023)-WASHINGTON, IA – The Chamber of Commerce is pleased to announce that April Cuddeback has joined the team in a consultant role as Event Director. April comes to us with…
DIG is Open(4/4/2023)-DIG (Downtown Investment Grant) is OPEN! The goal of this program is to encourage remodeling and repair work of a larger scale and scope for which our traditional Washington Incentive…
Love Local Tees Available!(4/4/2023)-Supporting all things local is what we love the most and now Boho Bailey Boutique LB has created these fabulous shirts to support Main Street Washington! Get your Love Local…
Our approach is a combined process that builds on the downtown’s total image.
The strategy is incremental, resulting in many small changes that create strong impact over time. Four volunteer-driven committees: organization, promotion, design, and economic restructuring, contribute to this process.
1. Organization
Organization establishes consensus and cooperation by building partnerships among various stakeholders in the district. By getting everyone working together, MSW can provide effective, ongoing management and advocacy for the district.
2. Promotion
Promotion creates a positive image that will rekindle community pride and improve consumer and investor confidence in your district. Advertising, retail promotional activities, special events, and marketing campaigns help sell the image and promise of MSW to our community and surrounding region.
3. Design
Design gets Main Street into top physical shape and creates a safe, inviting atmosphere. This point takes advantage of the visual opportunities inherent in the commercial district by directing attention to all of its physical elements: public and private buildings, storefronts, signs, public spaces, landscaping, merchandising, displays, and promotional materials.
4. Economic Restructuring
Economic restructuring strengthens MSW’s existing economic assets while diversifying it economic base. This is accomplished by retaining and expanding existing businesses to provide a balanced commercial mix, converting unused or underutilized space into productive property, sharpening the competitiveness and merchandising skills of business people, and attracting new businesses that the market can support.
We will be working to develop a comprehensive strategy, make incremental improvements, organize community support, form partnerships among our stakeholders, share our pride in our existing assets, protect a high standard of quality, change attitudes and practices, and start making changes NOW.