Spring Construction....Pack a Snack and Enjoy!

Spring has arrived, and with it comes the season we know so well…construction. We're well into the Main Street Makeover and just the other day I realized that living just northwest of town means that I am an island in a sea of orange barrels.

I've had the priviledge of working recently with the Rochester Regional Chamber of Commerce and it's amazing to see how our local businesses really support each other during any situation. The chamber is dedicated to helping its members in the Rochester area thrive during this construction makeover season. Stay tuned, because I'll also be hosting a few PR Survival 101 Coffee Hours at the Chamber office in May to help businesses needing new ideas for making business this summer thrive!

Although traffic reporters are warning people to stay away from traffic, Rochester/Rochester Hills is our home. If it takes a little longer to get home at the end of a long day, you don't just stay at someone elses house, do you? Of course not. You plan a little more time. Or, if you're like me, you make sure to have a Diet Coke and a snack!

I have planned a little more time to get to my favorite downtown restaurants and shops. I've also found a couple new ones by taking some detours and getting creative with side streets!

The entire downtown will be remodeled and upgraded to include a beautiful streetscape, landscaping and, most importantly, a safer road. Beautifying the city is a perk of a much-needed road repair due to the original construction of Main Street. Even now, it seems like Main Street is huge and open...it's not closed yet! Take a drive downtown and you can see the brick that Rochester residents of the past drove on in Model Ts.

During the summer months, residents will enter downtown shops and businesses through back entrances by following well-lit, well-marked signage. It’s more important than ever for the community to shop locally and truly support community neighbors in their businesses.

In an effort to make sure the city is booming, downtown Rochester brought back the Ewe Revue and the decorated sheep it brings to town.  Artists have been commissioned and are currently working on the unique Ewes that will be on display in the back alleys of Main Street at specific locations. Farmer's Market will still have all of my summer produce and goods.

There may be different paths, but our end destination should be the same, stay local, shop local, enjoy the Rochester community. I'll be posting updates and my own strolling thought town at Walker News on facebook. facebook.com/walkerpwsnews and on twitter @walkernews.

If you are on Pinterst-check me out at RochRegChamber!