HMM Boutique, Mary Smith take home Wisconsin Main Street awards

MENOMINIE – A downtown Tomahawk business and a volunteer were honored during the 34th Wisconsin Main Street Awards Ceremony last week.

The ceremony was held at the Tainter Theater in Menomonie on Thursday, March 13, where Main Street organizations, businesses and individuals were recognized for their efforts in promoting and breathing new life into their downtown districts.

Wisconsin Main Street, administered by the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC), is a community development program that targets Wisconsin’s historic commercial districts.

“WEDC provides technical support and training to the 34 Main Street communities to help them revitalize their business districts based on guidelines developed by Main Street America,” a release from WEDC stated.

Since the program’s inception in 1987, Wisconsin Main Street community efforts have resulted in the creation of nearly 3,500 new businesses and more than 17,000 net new jobs and over $3 billion in public and private investment has occurred in these districts, according to WEDC.

During fiscal year 2024, Wisconsin Main Street communities added 92 net new businesses and 589 net new jobs.

“None of this activity would be possible without the nearly 30,000 annual volunteer hours dedicated to the Main Street effort by passionate individuals from each community,” WEDC said.

Initiatives in Tomahawk, Chippewa Falls, Eagle River, Fond du Lac, Green Bay, Ladysmith, Milwaukee, Rice Lake, Ripon, Wausau and other Wisconsin communities were among those honored during this year’s ceremony.

WEDC said recognized projects included business and community development initiatives, building renovations, community celebrations and revitalization success stories from across the Badger State.

“Every day across Wisconsin, business and community leaders are looking for new ways to build an economy for all, where everyone has the opportunity to thrive,” said WEDC Secretary and CEO Missy Hughes. “Our downtowns represent the heart and soul of our communities, and this year’s Main Street Award winners represent the very best our state has to offer. The Main Street Awards ceremony celebrates the hard work, vision and dedication of those who are working tirelessly behind the scenes to preserve and promote their downtowns.”

Two awards brought home to Tomahawk

Tomahawk was well-represented at last week’s ceremony, with Tomahawk Main Street Inc. (TMS) Executive Director and Nominator Jennifer Turkiewicz, Matt and Jenna Pultz of HMM Boutique and Mike and Mary Smith on hand.

Two awards were ultimately brought home by the Tomahawk contingent.

Jenna Pultz, owner of HMM Boutique in downtown Tomahawk, received the Best Marketing Campaign award.

A release from TMS said the award “recognizes excellence in an image/branding item, campaign, event or series, whether print or broadcast,” noting that “there was no doubt” Pultz would be Tomahawk’s nominee for the award.

“From an online store to an educational blog for all things ‘Mom,’ as well as a brick and mortar store, plus a mobile shop for those craft fairs and special events, HMM Boutique has got it going on,” TMS stated. “Jenna is our go-to marketing gal, and she knows how to catch your eye with appealing posts, articles to make life just a wee bit easier and displays to make you say, ‘Oh yeah, that is coming home with me.”

TMS said the HMM Boutique Rewards Program is the business’s way of saying “thank you" to their customers.

“We love you for every purchase, social media interaction and each time you share our brand with friends and family,” HMM Boutique said. “You are the reason behind our success.”

Also offering an Affiliate Program, HMM gives its customers one more way to engage, TMS noted.

“A special VIP group on Facebook not only gives HMM’s customers a sneak peek at specials, but also invites you to one more way to easily get those great looks at an even better price,” TMS explained. “Throughout the year, HMM runs promos, specials and even sipping sessions to interest you in their ever-changing apparel and products, and the toy section is also a lot of fun. Jenna will tell you she is the picture of ‘Hot Mess Mommy,’ but we say she makes it look easy while making us look good. Congratulations to Jenna and her team for this well-deserved award.”

Mary Smith was Tomahawk’s second award recipient, taking home Community Champion honors.

The Community Champion Award, previously known as the Volunteer of the Year Award, is designed to recognize the individual who contributed the most to their respective Main Street program throughout the past year, TMS explained.

“Merry? Yes! Hometown proud? Yes! Heart on Main? Yes! Mary Smith? Yes! Yes, she is the definition of Community Champion,” TMS stated. “Mary volunteers not only during Main Street events, but also at our stores, reading to the children so guardians can shop. She designs window displays, then helps implement them. Mary is one of the merry elves that brought Hometown Christmas back to life downtown.”

TMS added that Smith also teamed up with her brothers and sisters to bring back their family’s Postl Popcorn Stand to downtown events, noting that during last year’s Fall Fest, they handed out 25 pounds of popcorn, and at TomaWalk, the crew also offered cotton candy.

Smith played a major role in Hometown Christmas’ return to Tomahawk, a tradition that “(gives) that Hallmark feel to the downtown, and celebrating the reason for the season has brightened the streets and the hearts of locals and visitors alike,” TMS said.

“The list can go on, but the simple truth is Mary loves our hometown, and she is a champion for our community, going above and beyond to create moments to remember,” TMS stated. “Mary, thank you for all you do. Your creativity and enthusiasm cannot be matched, and we so appreciate you.”

“Tomahawk Main Street is pleased to announce these award winners,” TMS continued. “Our beautiful downtown is near and dear to all of us who live and visit here, and receiving recognition statewide, competing against so many other amazing communities, is a true testament to this community’s hard work and dedication. Thank you to everyone for your commitment and continued support of our mission, vision, goals and beliefs.”