WAUSAU – Numerous Tomahawk individuals were recognized at the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC)’s 35th annual Wisconsin Main Street Awards.
Wisconsin Main Street is a community development program administered by WEDC that targets Wisconsin’s historic commercial districts. WEDC provides technical support and training to the 37 Main Street communities to help them revitalize their business districts based on guidelines developed by Main Street America.
This year’s ceremony, celebrating the best downtown revitalization projects of 2025, was held at the Grand Theater in Wausau on Thursday, March 19.
A release from the WEDC said the awards honor successful projects and initiatives executed by Main Street and Connect Communities programs around the state. Winning projects included business and community development initiatives, building renovations, community celebrations and revitalization success stories.
“Showcasing the variety of success stories from communities large and small is always inspirational,” said John W. Miller, Secretary and CEO of the WEDC, the state’s leading economic development organization. “The Main Street Awards ceremony celebrates the hard work, vision and dedication of those who are working tirelessly behind the scenes each day to preserve and promote their downtowns.”
Tomahawk was well-represented at the ceremony.
Rae’s Barbershop, located at 14 N. Tomahawk Ave., received the Best Interior Renovation, Small-Scale award, which is given to the building or business owner who has completed outstanding interior space transformation.
“In the 1950s, this storefront housed Dr. Harvey Hougen’s optometry office,” the WEDC said. “After his retirement, it became a forgotten storage room, filled with odds and ends and featuring dated finishes. When the Walker family purchased Standard Mercantile, they saw an opportunity. By removing old ceiling tiles and walls and reopening the transom windows, they restored natural light and historic character while reimagining the layout for a new chapter. Today, the revitalized interior is home to Rae’s Barbershop – now expanded, Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)-accessible and staffed with an additional barber. The once-neglected room has become a bright, welcoming space that blends nostalgia with new life, serving the community once again.”
“Congratulations to Stan, Traci and Chelsey, and kudos to Thomas for the amazing work completed,” Tomahawk Main Street Inc. stated.
Tomahawk Main Street Inc. Executive Director Jennifer Turkiewicz was recognized for her five years of service, while the Rainmakers, a group of individuals who tend to the flowers blooming along W. Wisconsin Ave., were among the 2025 Community Champions, an honor that recognizes individuals who contributed the most to their respective Main Street programs throughout the past year.
“This team has been doing it for many, many years, and we are blessed to have them on our team,” Main Street said. “We also want to send a shoutout, as well, to our weeders, Rose, Deb and Jane; the City of Tomahawk crew, who keeps the cart in shape; and Cerny's Greenhouse of Tomahawk for your dedication to Main Street Blooms.”
About Wisconsin Main Street
Since the program’s inception in 1987, Wisconsin Main Street community efforts have resulted in the creation of over 3,600 new businesses and more than 17,500 net new jobs and over $3 billion in public and private investment has occurred in these districts.
During fiscal year 2025 alone, Wisconsin Main Street communities added 135 net new businesses and 247 net new jobs.
“None of this activity would be possible without the nearly 16,000 annual volunteer hours dedicated to the Main Street effort by passionate individuals from each community,” the WEDC said.
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