In the News
Mapes set to become retail, Airbnb units:
7/3/2019
After years of neglect by former property owners, Mapes House located at 300 Watson Street being renovated by Rogers family....Read Ripon Press Article
American Alchemy enjoys its new, spacious location:
7/3/2019
Downtown entrepreneur Adrienne Rank expands apparel & accessory business into 305 Watson Street...Read Ripon Press Article
J’s BBQ will expand to ‘Other Side’ with bar, small plates:
6/26/2019
Visit J’s BBQ in downtown Ripon, and it’s not unusual to find it packed at peak meal times. So when the space next door to the restaurant at 333 Watson St. opened up, Rintelmann and Susan Reiterman leapt at the chance to use it...Read Ripon Press Article
New ice cream parlor opens in downtown Ripon:
6/19/2019
Renee & Tim Saul open Sweet n’ Saulty Ice Cream Parlor at 227 Watson Street...Read Ripon Press Article
Cabinets, countertops & more available at new downtown shop:
5/8/2019
Jennifer Harmsen open Modernista Cabinetry & Design Co. at 105 Watson Street in downtown Ripon, where she offers cabinetry, countertops and more....Read Ripon Press Article
Downtown Ripon Redevelopment Opportunity RFP:
10/11/2018
The City of Ripon is soliciting proposals to redevelop sections of the 200 & 300 blocks of Watson Street located in the Downtown Ripon Historic District. Proposals may incorporate any combination of parcels identified in the site list. Proposals can include commercial, residential, or a mix of both. Creative ideas are encouraged, but they should complement the historic nature of downtown Ripon and reflect the architectural standards outlined in the Downtown Ripon Design Manual. Please download the RFP for details....(Downtown Ripon Redevelopment Opportunity RFP)
National brand, local company opening Ripon shop:
7/5/2018
Home decor designer opens Patina Vie store in downtown Ripon...Read Ripon Press Article
New Thrivent office opens in downtown Ripon today:
8/1/2018
Financial-services firm Thrivent Financial opens office in downtown Ripon...Read Ripon Press Article
Main Street generates new downtown beautification plan:
5/2/2018
Consultants Jay Schlinsog of Downtown Professionals Network and Michael Schroeder of Schroeder Designs help business and property owners identify and prioritize short-term and long-term streetscape improvements for downtown Ripon....(Downtown Ripon Streetscape Plan)
New business hopes to ‘Revive’ customers downtown:
9/27/2017
Ripon’s new salon offers hair and nail services...Read Ripon Press Article
Yoga studio reopens downtown as Lotus Root Yoga:
9/28/2016 9:58:00 AM
Ripon’s newest downtown yoga studio feels a lot like the previous studio...Read Ripon Press Article
Bookstore, BBQ joint heading downtown:
9/28/2016 1:15:00 PM
Ripon College is moving its bookstore into part of the space recently vacated by Gallagher’s Restaurant...Read Ripon Press Article
Main Street generates vision for downtown Ripon
Ripon Main Street, in conjunction with representatives from the Wisconsin Economic Development Corp. (WEDC), conducted consecutive Vision Planning Exercises in 2015 and 2016 as part of its strategic planning process. Community input helped determine goals and objectives, and identified priority projects for future planning efforts. The documents are linked below.
2016 Downtown Ripon Vision Planning Process:
(2016 Vision Planning Results)
2015 Downtown Ripon Vision Planning Process:
(2015 Vision Planning Results)
City grants loan as Ernessi Organics grows downtown:
8/17/2016 10:39:00 AM
A downtown grower of hydroponic edibles received a financial boost to provide capital for his growing business...Read Ripon Press Article
A new brew: Knuth expands its production capacity:
8/3/2016 10:46:00 AM
Knuth Brewing Company is ready to take a big step forward for its brewing capabilities...Read Ripon Press Article
Local couple brings homegrown business downtown:
7/20/2016 10:33:00 AM
When Blue Design Co. opens its doors Tuesday, July 26 at 202 Watson St., it will represent a huge leap forward for the homegrown enterprise...Read Ripon Press Article
From memory to museum: Local group considering creating National Cookie Museum:
A Ripon man works with Main Street to not only reopen a cookie store in town, but pair it with a museum and beyond...Read Ripon Press Article
Entrepreneur program spawns several shops:
Four entrepreneurs announced plans to transition their ideas from their dens to downtown Ripon and beyond...Read Ripon Press Article
It begins: Local group acquires many Boca buildings for redevelopment:
A Ripon family believes it’s ready to do, right away, what Boca Grande Capital could not over the past nine years...Read Ripon Press Article
Work underway at former Suds, aka Timmon's, aka Flat Top's:
Renovation begins on historic corner building located at 123 Watson Street in downtown Ripon...Read Ripon Press Article
Find more all year through at Dig Garden Store:
Yvonne Baumgartner brings Dig Garden Store to 218 Watson Street, which features décor for the home, DIY classes pertaining to container gardening, and unique plants for indoors or out…Read Ripon Press Article
Boca buildings moving closer to sale:
For Riponites, this may be the strongest signal to date that a dozen properties near Ripon’s main street may be about to be sold…Read Ripon Press Article
Main Street urges city to support Rogers:
Owners of downtown Ripon buildings and businesses — as well as Ripon Main Street’s board of directors — are encouraging city leaders to support a local group’s efforts to buy about a dozen properties from Boca Grande Capital LLC.…Read Ripon Press Article
Main Street Shares Survey Results, Schedules Visioning Workshop
This past June, Ripon Main Street conducted a visioning survey and asked the public for input to help determine business trends and identify the most important needs of the downtown. The survey was available online and in hard copy format for a period of five weeks. During this time, 123 individuals provided feedback on the current state of downtown, the performance of various aspects of the downtown environment, and ideas for future revitalization projects or initiatives that will help move the district forward as a vibrant commercial environment. Click the link to download the complete results of the 2015 Downtown Ripon Visioning Survey (Vision Survey Results)
To capitalize on the recent findings, Ripon Main Street, Inc., in partnership with Wisconsin Main Street and the Wisconsin Economic Development Corp. (WEDC), will conduct a Vision Planning Workshop on Wednesday, October 7th. The activity will take place from 6:00 to 9:00 pm at Gallagher’s Restaurant located at 333 Watson Street in downtown Ripon.
Those interested in participating in the Vision Planning exercise are encouraged to call the Ripon Main Street office at (920) 748-7466 or join the event on the Ripon Main Street Facebook page linked below.
RSVP for Downtown Ripon Vision Planning Workshop:
www.facebook.com/events/1644631062472018/
Downtown seeks input for Visioning Survey
Ripon Main Street is conducting 2015 Downtown Ripon Visioning Survey as part of a strategic planning process. Community input is needed to help determine goals and objectives for the future of downtown Ripon, and to identify priority projects that will be the focus of future planning efforts. The survey results will be analyzed and incorporated as guiding elements of the downtown revitalization process. The survey can be accessed via the link provided below. Information and updates regarding the survey process will be listed on the Ripon, Wisconsin Facebook page.
2015 Downtown Ripon Visioning Survey: http://survey.clicktools.com/go?iv=feeifx9oeeg
From Bruce to Brews: Downtown favorite stirs old with new:
“Knuth Brewing Company Food and Brew will offer something no one else in Ripon can boast: its own, home-brewed beers…Read Ripon Press Article
Women, need something new? Go see 'Prudence'
Dear Prudence, a women’s clothing, accessories and jewelry store, will open at 210 Watson Street on April 15, 2015…Read Ripon Press Article
Downtown mainstay Fat Bruce's will be sold:
Deli remains, micro-beer will be new...Ripon residents David and Marie Knuth are set to assume ownership of the 8-year-old Watson Street business Tuesday, March 17, 2015…Read Ripon Press Article
Meet the new owners of Mugs Coffee House:
Matt and Amy Holley reopened the local coffee shop and hangout last week Monday, bringing back many of the long-time favorite features of Mugs, while adding a few new twists…Read Ripon Press Article
A growing business:
New Ripon business supplies 'microgreens' grown hydroponically to stores, restaurants…Read Ripon Press Article
Markesan photo studio relocates to downtown Ripon
Quade is bringing her five-year-old photography business, Moments to Memories Photography, from Markesan to downtown Ripon…Read Ripon Press Article
Shop aims to offer customers a homey feel for less
Located at 211 Watson St. Back Porch Gatherings and Walter J’s aims to enable customers to create happy memories…Read Ripon Press Article
First peek inside the new Jefferson Street Apartments
New apartment and townhouse building being constructed in downtown Ripon are nearing completion…Read Ripon Press Article
Downtown Apartments Ready to Build
A hybrid townhouses/apartment development is ready to move forward…Read Ripon Press Article
