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!
Scooter’s Coffee Opens First Location in Washington, IA(1/17/2023)-FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Scooter’s Coffee Opens First Location in Washington, IA New Store to Celebrate with Grand Opening Event on January 27 Washington, IA, January 16, 2023 – Scooter’s Coffee, best known for its amazingly fast drive-thru, specialty coffee, and baked-from-scratch pastries, added a new location at 321 South Iowa Avenue, Washington, Iowa. To…
Leadership Washington Participates in Health and Wellness Day(12/20/2022)-WASHINGTON, IA – Our 2022-2023 Leadership Washington class experienced a variety of health and wellness related offerings in town on Wednesday, Dec 14th. They started the day at the UP Home, where the dining staff provided a delicious breakfast. The class learned about many of the various health conditions that can affect the eyes by Dr. Megan…
Main Street Washington receives $100,000 Challenge Grant for Koller + Plus, LLC Professional Project(11/7/2022)-November 3, 2022 – The Iowa Economic Development Authority (IEDA) announced awards totaling $934,430 in Main Street Iowa Challenge Grants to 10 communities around the state. The grants will benefit local improvement projects, such as historic building rehabilitation and upper story renovations. “The Main Street Iowa Challenge grants have been instrumental in revitalizing Iowa’s historic main streets,” said Debi Durham, executive director of IEDA and the Iowa Finance Authority. “Reinvesting…
Main Street Washington Board Seeking Executive Director(8/2/2022)-The search is open for a new Main Street Washington Director. The Board of Directors is seeking a full-time dynamic, outgoing team-player to serve as the next Executive Director in Washington, Iowa. The program has been in existence since 2008 and has spurred over $15 million in development in the restoration and rehabilitation of downtown…
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.