By Kim McDarison
Several businesses in Jefferson have collaborated to create the “Downtown Jefferson Chili Walk,” according to one of the event’s co-organizers, Amy Maresch.
The walk will be held Saturday, Feb. 4, beginning at 11 a.m., with plans to run until 5 p.m. or until the chili runs out, Maresch said.
Nineteen downtown businesses will be participating in the event.
Maresch, the owner of Vintage on Main, said she, and two other store owners — Mike Stone, who owns Sign Vault Art Bar, and Scott Obernberger, the owner of Twice Baked Pottery, LLC — came up with the idea of organizing the event after Stone attending something similar in another community.
Stone shared the idea with store owners in Jefferson as a way in which to bring awareness to the city’s downtown area, Maresch said.
“We decided that February would be the best time for a chili walk, as it’s traditionally ‘chili weather.’ Also February tends to be a slower time for retail stores and it was our hope to help encourage participants to shop small and support downtown businesses,” she said.
Recently, she added, the city of Jefferson has completed many downtown improvements, such as new sidewalks and crosswalks, the addition of an electronic kiosk and planters, and has added trees.
“I would encourage everyone to check out the amazing improvements that the city of Jefferson has made, from our amazing interactive kiosk, improved sidewalks and crosswalks and lighted pedestrian bridge, Jefferson has changed dramatically in the last year and we want to share our changes with our community,” she noted.
Last year, several new businesses joined the downtown retail mix, Maresch said, adding: “Jefferson is now becoming a downtown destination where you can spend an afternoon eating, drinking and shopping.
“In my opinion, downtown Jefferson has sprung to life over the last year. It’s a place where people want to spend time. Foot traffic is starting to pick up and we are hoping that, once the weather warms up, we will see more people on Main Street.”
While this year marks the first-ever Jefferson downtown chili walk, Maresch said she and the other participating business owners have shared their enthusiasm to make the chili walk an annual event.
“Our businesses are excited to showcase their chili cooking skills, and we are excited to invite people to explore downtown Jefferson. We have a mix of ‘serious’ chili makers and amateurs. Wine and Roses is participating and their chili cook —Kayla Tucker — has previously won chili competitions,” Maresch said.
Along with opportunities to visit stores and eat chili, Maresch said chili walk participants will find a gift basket giveaway contest, including one basket holding items for adults and another designed for children. To enter the contest, participants will be required to visit and sample chili from at least eight different shops, receiving a stamp from each location. Cards with stamps must be presented to event organizers by the end of the day.
Participating in all of the day’s events is free.
In addition, Maresch noted that each shop has different activities planned to welcome chili walk guests.
“Landmark will feature live music and meat raffles, Wine and Roses is holding a free wine tasting, Stable Rock is releasing their ice wine (Eiswein) and offering tastings, and Sign Vault Art Bar will have a giant bowl of ‘steaming’ chili for photo ops,” she said.
Those attending the Downtown Jefferson Chili Walk are encouraged to begin their chili adventure at Brightter Boutique, 109 N. Main St., where maps of participating retailers and cards for placement of stamps as they visit each shop and sample chili will be made available. Once a map and card have been obtained, participants may find and explore the various shops in an order of their choosing.
New businesses participating in the event include: Wood and Wool Shop, Brightter, V Legion Games, Sign Vault, Vintage On Main, Taco Fiesta, Red Line BBQ, Twice Baked Pottery, and Duck’s Landmark and Eagles Nutrition.
While Wine and Roses is not new, less than a year ago the store opened in a new location, Maresch said.
Ben Welter, of Tan-A-Lotte Cafe, said he is looking forward to participating in the event Saturday.
“I think it’s a great way to create community involvement,” he said. This year is his 12th operating as a downtown retailer, he noted.
Obernberger said that while his chili-making skills might not be ready for sampling by his customers and the community, he will be providing chili made by a “great local chef.”
“We are one of Jefferson’s newer stores and love our new home,” he said.
Julia Sponem Chaty, owner of INDECO Interior Design Company said: “I make a unique chili that will get some attention.”
Dave Knutson said he has owned and operated Knutson Jewelry in downtown Jefferson for 27 years.
“I call our chili the ‘grandma’ chili. Definitely not spicy, but really good,” he said.
Said Stone: “I love the idea of a chili walk and hope that it gets better every year. Being new in the community, I think it will be a great time to meet people.”
Participants attending Saturday’s event will find ample public parking in a lot behind Felton Electric, 125 N. Main St., according to Maresch.
Lynda Stone of Sign Vault Art Bar works on materials to accompany the store’s giant bowl of chili which will be made available to visitors for photo ops. Contributed photo.
A map shows the locations of 19 stores that will be participating Saturday in the first-ever Downtown Jefferson Chili Walk. Participants are encouraged to make an initial stop at Brightter Boutique, 109 N. Main St., to obtain maps of participating retailers and cards for placement of stamps as they visit each shop and sample chili. contributed graphic.
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