From A to Z: Downtown Canonsburg

We are so excited to have been invited to reach out to you, the readers, through Canon-McMillan Patch.  And this being the first edition, I would like to take the opportunity to either remind or inform you about what our organization is all about.

Simply, the Our Town Cooperative, Inc. Borough of is responsible for the community's downtown revitalization.  We are a nonprofit organization and an accredited Main Street Program through the National Trust for Historic Preservation.    This staff of one has a volunteer base -- with members serving on the organization, design, economic restructuring, organization, and promotion committees.

Some of what we do is behind the scenes.  Funding assistance for downtown business and property owners for façade improvement projects, being a point of contact for new businesses wanting to come into downtown, providing business-assistance tools for downtown owners, grant writing and other such endeavors. 

Some of what we do is very visible.  Maybe you brought your children to the Monster Mash Bash, the Lite the Nite celebration or Santa Luncheon.  Did you participate in the Parade of Chairs contest last Fourth of July?  Have you met Art? 

These activities are part of our promotions committee, as well as maintenance of our website, Facebook group and Flickr online photo page. We also make arrangements for the planters that line Pike Street downtown, hanging baskets and banners. 

As I stated previously, we are a volunteer-based organization.  If you have some time and would like to help us with the revitalization project in downtown, give us a call or drop us an email.  More information on the committees can be found on our website or I'd be happy to meet with you and discuss where your talents could best serve the Our Town Cooperative.  We are always looking for volunteers!!

I would also like to ask that as you make your lists and check them twice this season of giving, shop local, support your downtown businesses!  You'll be surprised at the selection of gifts you can find strolling from shop to shop.  Many of our businesses also offer gift certificates for those hard-to-buy-for on our lists.  I put together this piece for a Lowdown from Downtown e-newsletter:

Downtown from A to Z…..

…automobile, bedroom suite, cards, dry cleaning, exercise, friendly faces, gyros, hair cut, ice, jewels, kitten care (puppies too), lunch, manicures, needle craft supplies, open, poinsettia's, quiet time for a massage, ribbons and bows, spirits, tree lights, unique gifts, vases, wreaths, (e)xtra-ordinary people, Yankee Candles, zoot suit.

In closing, I would like to wish you and yours a Merry Christmas and happy, healthy New Year!

See you downtown!