Dear Chamber Supporters,
Last Saturday, with the invaluable support of our Chamber members, local businesses, and community, we had a blast putting on another installment of our downtown shopping event, Flea, Junk & Trunk (pictures here). Legacy Square was brimming with activity, with over seventy vendor booths and nearly a thousand shoppers. This, paired with other local businesses being open on Saturday, made for a great day of shopping and dining in Ottawa. We always have our fingers crossed for good weather; given the event’s history of being wet, we couldn’t have gotten a better day of spring sunshine. Legacy Square was able to really show off its capabilities as an outdoor event space, being a major asset when putting on this shopping spectacle. Given the number of booths, Sherri had to branch the vendors up and around the north green space. There were plenty of neat items for sale; it’s always exciting to have the opportunity to work with so many different home-based businesses. Small businesses of all types participated, a majority being local artisans and crafters.
Our Chamber staff and Events and Promotions Committee members were present at a booth throughout the event, engaging with shoppers, sharing local swag, and gathering valuable feedback. We were able to survey 353 individuals, which was probably around a third of the people actually in attendance. What's more, 37% of those surveyed revealed that they were from outside of Franklin County! This influx of visitors to our community, particularly on a Saturday filled with shopping and dining, is a testament to the appeal of the event and the welcoming business community we have here. We eagerly anticipate our next Chamber event at Legacy Square, our Summer Concert Series, which will kick off June 7. It promises to be a delightful evening of county music in downtown Ottawa.
Breaking New Ground with Azura Credit Union
This week, we had the privilege of organizing a groundbreaking ceremony in collaboration with Loyd Builders and Cosentino’s Price Chopper for Azura Credit Union. This cutting-edge facility will be situated just west of Price Chopper, off S Princeton St. (you can view a rendering of their new branch here). Ottawa will be the 11th branch for this expanding Topeka-based credit union. The name 'Azura' is a fusion of two words, 'azure,' meaning clear blue sky, and 'terra,' meaning earth. Azura represents the place on earth where 'above and beyond banking can become a reality.' It’s safe to say that their team is extremely excited to make this move to our community. I love seeing institutions like Azura taking an interest in our area and choosing to establish a presence here. This is a clear indication that Ottawa and Franklin County are experiencing growth, and Azura is excited to be a part of this journey.
Along with moving some dirt to signify the start of construction, Azura’s team treated attendees to a grab-and-go lunch provided by the Price Chopper deli (pictures from the groundbreaking). They are shooting to have construction finished at the start of 2025, with the aim to have doors open in January/February of the new year. It’ll be fun to see the progress as we drive by the south side of town; it’ll be here before we know it!
Explore Kansas this Summer for Free
I want to take a moment to share about a neat program geared towards Kansas families. Sunflower Summer was launched by the Kansas State Department of Education and was designed to provide K-12 grades and guardians with fun and educational experiences during the summer months. The initiative offers Kansas residents free admission to a variety of attractions across the state, including museums, zoos, historic sites, and parks (map of participating locations and more info here). By simply downloading the Sunflower Summer app, families can access over 200 activities that promote learning and exploration, making it easy to create memorable adventures without breaking the bank. Ottawa even has a few local attractions included with the Old Depot Museum and the Plaza Cinema being on the list. The program not only encourages family bonding but also supports local attractions, helping to boost community engagement and tourism within Kansas. Whether it's discovering the state's rich history, exploring its natural beauty, or enjoying interactive exhibits, this summer will be one to remember.
To use the Sunflower Summer program, start by downloading the free app from the App Store or Google Play Store. After installing the app, create an account with some basic information to track your visits and access digital tickets. Browse through the extensive list of participating attractions within the app and once you've selected the attractions you'd like to visit, plan your trip using the detailed information provided about each location, such as hours of operation and special guidelines. When you arrive at an attraction, check in using the app to generate a digital ticket for free admission for you and your family members. Enjoy exploring the attraction and participating in its educational activities. The app will keep a record of your visits, making it easy to track where you've been and plan future outings. Repeat this process throughout the summer to discover new places and experiences, ensuring a fun and educational summer for your family in Kansas.
Honoring Our Heroes
For many Americans, the last Monday in May marks the unofficial start of summer—a long weekend with a family barbecue or gathering of friends. Memorial Day holds a greater significance for those who served in the military, as it commemorates the brave men and women who lost their lives defending our great nation. The origin of Memorial Day, first observed over 155 years ago started as Decoration Day, which was a day to beautify the graves in memory of those who fought and died to preserve our union during the Civil War. The holiday’s name obviously changed over the years, but its ideals and intentions have not.
Our Chamber Coffee this morning for the Franklin County Honors allowed this veteran-focused nonprofit to share what their organization is doing in our area (pictures here). The Franklin County Honors’ mission is to celebrate and honor veterans in and around the Franklin County area. They do this in a handful of ways, one of which took place just moments ago with a Memorial Day Ceremony at 4th and Main. Along with Memorial Day, Veterans Day festivities are bountiful, with veterans’ banners hung throughout town, displays to reflect on past wars, and the historied parade down Main Street. All of these programs are put together to honor our servicemembers, both past and present. The displays that have long been seen in City Park will be moving north a couple of blocks as they will be set up around the war memorial at the County Courthouse throughout the grassy area. The hope is that this relocation ties the parade and the memorial deeper into the celebration. As this group grows, they are finding new ways to contribute to the veteran community. This looks like the planning of a veterans' hiring fair and further support groups for vets. The work that has been done and continues to be accomplished through this organization is substantial; we’re lucky to have a group of volunteers dedicated to honoring those who have served!
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As we keep the spirit of gratitude and remembrance alive as we honor our veterans, not just this weekend but throughout the year, remembering their sacrifices are the true cost of freedom and the importance of community support. I hope you have a safe and relaxing Memorial Day weekend. Talk to you soon!
Ryland Miller
President/CEO
Ottawa Area Chamber of Commerce
ryland@ottawakansas.org
785-242-1000
