WAUPACA COUNTY POST

January 26, 1995

 

Waupaca Area Chamber of Commerce

Has Come a Long Way Since 1930’s

 

 

            Tourism has been a big part of what the Waupaca Area Chamber of Commerce does since its earliest days.

            The first business group to promote the Waupaca and Chain of Lake area was formed soon after the 1929 start of the Great Depression.  Business was poor in the city, and this group thought that promoting the Chain could bring needed money and people into the area.  The organization was founded din 1931 or 1932, according to a 1975 account by Verna nelson, Chamber Secretary-Treasurer.

            In 1942, the Waupaca Association of Commerce purchased, for $1,200, a wooded tract lying on both sides of Hwy. Q, leading to the ”Indian Crossing” on the Chain.  This was done to help preserve the natural beauty of the drive to the crossing.

            Sometime before 1958, the Association set aside 13 lots of this tract in the Plot of Oakwood, cutting underbrush and installing picnic tables to create a small park.  This area north of County Q, and east of the crossing, was soon deeded to Waupaca County.  The county maintains the site today.

            The Waupaca Association of Commerce incorporated on Aug. 13, 1952.  Original corporation officers were Vance E. High, Harold J. Stiebs and Reuben T. Nelson.

            In its 1967 annual meeting at the Waupaca Country Club, the Waupaca Association of Commerce amended its constitution to change its name from “Association” to Chamber”.  Ivan Huffcut was elected president of the newly named organization.

            Gil Stordock served as secretary-treasurer of the Waupaca Association/Chamber of Commerce from 1963-1970.  Leroy Danielson took over in 1971, serving until 1972. He was replaced in 1973 by Verna Nelson. By 1975, the Chamber and WIDC were looking forward to hiring an executive.

            The first Chamber executive director was Lloyd Myers.  He was followed by Rose Cartwright, Betsy Manthey, and Beth Oestreich.  With the hiring of the current executive, Terri Schulz, the position became full-time.

            For many years, the Association used a small log house as an information office.  This was replaced in 1971 with a Hospitality Home shingled building costing $4,572.  This information booth, on the downtown square at the corner of Main and Fulton Streets, served the Chamber until 1985, when the office was moved to 206 W. Fulton St.

            The Chamber purchased the former Montgomery-Ward store at 221 S. Main St., and moved into it in 1990.  At the end of our fourth year in this building, we are happy to report that it suits the Chamber’s needs very well.

            The Chamber staff has worked continuously to provide a welcoming presence to all who enter its doors. During 1994 they painted the interior, hung wallpaper, made and hung curtains, planted window flower boxes, hung pictures, and decorated the front window for holidays and special community events.

            Also in 1994, extensive repairs were made to the floor in a back office, the building roof was repaired and eave troughs were added, the front window was replaced with a more energy-efficient one, a new level was added to the wall display racks, and the front office was rearranged to provide more working space.

            At the beginning of 1995, the Waupaca Area Chamber of Commerce is composed of 247 businesses.  It employs a full-time executive director, a full-time secretary and a part-time writer, year-round. Additional staff is added between Memorial Day and Labor Day, when office hours are extended.

 

            Winter office hours are:  9 a.m. - 4 p.m., Monday - Friday.  IN the summer, office hours are extended to 9 a.m. - 5 p.m., Monday - Friday; and 10 a.m. - 3 p.m., Saturday and Sunday.

 

            1995 Retail Calendar of Events:  Badger State Games - February 3, 4, & 5; Leprechauns Bringing Savings to the Streets, March 17 & 18; Moonlight Madness, June 1; Strawberry Festival, June 17; Sidewalk Day Sales, August 2; Fall-O-Rama, September 16 & 17; Holiday Parade & Open House, November 12.

 

Our Retail Voice

 

            The Retail Committee is responsible for setting up retail promotions with the media, providing a retail-city hall link, sponsoring seminars for area store owners and communicating with the community.

            During 1994, the retail committee was responsible for a very successful Moonlight Madness in June, Robin’s Nest of Savings, a Treasure Hunt and the annual Christmas Parade.

            The committee, though poorly attended, communicates retail needs to the Chamber.  Retailers were responsible for a seminar on retail theft and shoplifting, organized reaction to proposed one-way street changes downtown and a downtown vandalish telephone survey.

            If you would like to do more about providing a strong retail voice in the Waupaca area, contact the Chamber office.