Annually, the Downtown Fond du Lac Partnership, Inc. (DFP) selects award winners
for Best Interior Renovation, Best Exterior Renovation and Friend of Downtown awards.
Interior Renovation of the Year was presented to Bekki Fishelson-Kuber and her husband Vince for their impressive renovation at Blue Marble Botanicals. From a German American Bank in 1870 to a modern-day apothecary, Blue Marble Botanicals is a beautiful example of craftmanship. Adorned with three crystal chandeliers, exposed brick, and immaculate décor, Blue Marble Botanicals is a fresh new addition to downtown Fond du Lac. 28 N. Main Street began renovations in October of 2019.
Exterior Design of the Year was presented to Ahern-Gross Plumbing located at 218 S. Main Street. Ahern-Gross has been located in downtown Fond du Lac since 1983. Updates include new landscaping, windows, exterior siding, stucco repair and repainting, updated awning, cornice lines and illuminated signage. In 2020 the impressive exterior renovation was completed. To their credit, all of the work to improve and renovate the exterior of the building was completed by local contractors.
Friend of Downtown was presented to Steve Awve. Over the past 25 years, Steve has owned, remodeled, renovated, and rejuvenated 15 buildings in downtown Fond du Lac. During this time, Steve has also completed a 6-year term on the Downtown Fond du Lac Partnership Board of Directors. Steve has worked closely with the DFP and the City of Fond du Lac and has become a pivotal person in building rejuvenation in downtown.
Best New Business was presented to Lunar & Lake Book Market located at 74 S. Main Street. In January of 2018 Margaux Mich launched her Book Art Bookmarks Etsy shop. Her popular shop sold unique, eye catching bookmarks. In 2020, Margaux saw the opportunity of the DFP’s Pop-Up Fond du Lac Program to open her very own store. In September of 2020, Lunar & Lake Book Market opened their doors to the community. The store offers a wide variety of books spanning many genres. Along with books for adults, there are two additional rooms in the store dedicated to young
readers.
The Downtown Legacy Award, awarded to a business that has been in downtown for at least 50 years, was presented to Wood’s Floral & Gifts. Wood’s Floral & Gifts, named after the original owners, has been a part of the Fond du Lac community since 1916. It has changed hands a few times over the years and is now co-owned by Rick Bode and Dave Buechel who took ownership in 1993. The team at Wood’s is proud to help support our community’s organizations and work together to reach goals. They are active participants in the DFP, continuously supporting downtown events and initiatives both financially and hands-on. Wood’s has remained relevant by listening to their customers and continually offering new, local merchandise to shoppers. Through the years, Wood’s Floral & Gifts has made a deep impact and retained a sustained commitment to downtown Fond du Lac.
In lieu of a traditional Annual Meeting, DFP staff created a series of videos for all award winners. The award videos can be view on the Downtown Fond du Lac Partnership YouTube Page.
In 2020, downtown saw the opening of six new businesses, En.Courage Nutrition (74 S. Main St.), Perspective Studios (123 S. Main St.), Cujak’s Wine & Spirits (47 N. Main St.), Bucko’s Unique Boutique (63 N. Main St.), CC’s Chocolates (72 S. Main St.) and Lunar & Lake Book Market (74 S. Main St.). The DFP Pop-Up Shop program had four participants in 2020 Jus-E-Bikes, Mai’s Closet Couture, The Book Boutique and Card Board Games all completed short term lease agreements to test their business 3
concepts. Additional accomplishments from the DFP are successfully continuing the 7th Annual Shop Small & Win Campaign. In 2020, the DFP awarded three separate winners Downtown Gift Certificates. Two lucky shoppers won $500 each and the grand prize winner was awarded $1,000. A record breaking 1,355 individual participated in the event and $110,500 in downtown spending was tracked as part of the sweepstakes.
The Downtown Fond du Lac Farmers market continued in 2020 as well. Being deemed an ‘Essential Grocery Service’, the market season began with only fresh produce, prepared foods and plant vendors. The complete DFP 2020 Annual Report can be found at www.downtownfdl.com.
