Nov Dec Jan 2013 Downtown Developments Newsletter

First Friday of every month

ELFstravaganza on Dec. 6!

The whole family will be enchanted as you take a magical journey with Christopher Pop-In-Kins, Santa’s Official Children’s Elf, as he pops in again this year during Light Up Downtown. All of your favorite holiday characters will visit from wonderful winter wonderlands and through smiles, laughs and song, encourage everyone to enjoy the heart of the holiday – and it is all brought to life on the main stage on Market Square (301 Market Ave. N).

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SPECIAL FEATURES

Live theater performances, poetry slams, public art demonstrations, painting exper-

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WHATWHEREWHEN

Mark your calendar now for the exciting lineup of themes coming in 2013—and make sure you come back downtown throughout the month for even more to see and do in the Canton Arts District and surrounding community.

I s s u e

SPACE AVAILABLE

Each month, the art galleries and studios of downtown Canton welcome you to experience a night of creativity. The local restaurants cook up heavenly cuisine, and the shops and businesses absolutely come alive.

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• Light Up Downtown • First Friday 2013 Line-Up • SID Annual Meeting • Downtown Master Plan • Canton Farmers’ Market • Community Garden • Downtown Deals

iments, improv comedy, children’s activities and gallery openings abound, as do opportunities to get to know the artists, craftsmen and entrepreneurs who are making the revitalization of our center city a reality.

V o l .

PARTNERSHIP REPORT

First Friday, the arts, music and entertainment festival that transforms downtown Canton on the First Friday of each month, is back with its sixth year of monthly art rendezvous in the Canton Arts District!

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First Friday 2013 themes will bring thousands downtown each month

J A N U A R Y

With Christopher poppin’ up at Light Up Downtown there’s sure to be fun croppin’ up around every corner. When the man in red arrives, he offers a spectacular gift to Christopher, topping off the evening with fireworks and fun.

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Thursday, Dec. 6

for a magical, musical, holiday jamboree and

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Through Nov. 19

popping back in to downtown Canton

D E C E M B E R

Downtown Canton’s streetscape comes alive with fun festivals!

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2012 Downtown Event Schedule

anta’s very first Children’s Elf is

N O V E M B E R

Christopher Pop-In-Kins pops-in again to spread the joy of the holidays at Light Up Downtown

Downtown Developments is published quarterly by Canton Development Partnership, a department of Canton Regional Chamber of Commerce in cooperation with Downtown Canton Special Improvement District

Michael P. Gill

Great Conclusions and Greater Things Ahead

Dennis P. Saunier President & CEO Michael P. Gill Director Krista Shuff Schumacher Events Manager Annette Rosenberger Office Manager Denise Burton Membership Director Jessica Bennett Marketing Director & Editor

In addition, we enjoyed the best Farmers’ Market ever in our new location at Timken High School. We saw new restaurants, new businesses locate downtown and the promise of a new YMCA. In addition, the Special Improvement District (SID) will be working closely with the City of Canton to prepare for the renewal of the organization. The SID will engage the city’s administration, Canton City Council and property owners in an effort to renew the SID for 2014-2017. This undertaking and the required preparation will take most of 2013 to complete.

Sarah Lutz Graphics Manager The Canton Development Partnership is a coalition of area development organizations and city government that share an interest in downtown Canton’s continual improvement, revitalization, image, and quality of life for its citizens.

Its mission is to support and coordinate the activities and programs of its partner organizations in order to encourage and sustain community and economic development in downtown Canton.

The partnering organizations include: Canton Regional Chamber of Commerce, Downtown Canton Special Improvement District, Downtown Canton Land Bank, Canton Tomorrow, Inc., and City of Canton.

Information regarding downtown events and news can be submitted for reprint at the discretion of the Partnership director and publication editor.

The Canton Development Partnership reserves the right to edit all copy. Deadlines are the 15th of the month, two months prior to publication (i.e., May 15 for the July/August issue).

Statements of fact and opinion within Downtown Developments are the responsibility of the authors alone and do not imply the opinion of the members of Canton Development Partnership or its partnering organizations.

Advertising rates and specifications are available by contacting the Chamber sales department at (330) 458-2067.

R e p o r t

222 Market Ave. N. Canton, OH 44702 (330) 456-0468 fax (330) 452-7786 cdp@cantonchamber.org www.DowntownCanton.com

P a r t n e r s h i p

Downtown Canton enjoyed another successful year in 2012. The center city came alive with the entertainment provided at the Blues Festival, the wonderful food at Taste of Canton, the wine tastings at Vintage Canton, and we are looking forward to our seasonal favorite for the young and young at heart, Light Up Downtown.

The Canton Development Partnership, in conjunction with the SID, has engaged CZB Consultants to review our current downtown Master Plan and recommend updates moving forward. The process is expected to take six months and we estimate a conclusion by the end of the first quarter next year.

Finally, the Canton Development Partnership and the Downtown Canton Land Bank have taken a leadership position in the need for downtown living in Canton. To that end, we are in the process of creating six new market rate apartments in our center city, with the land bank currently renovating a building they own and operate. The projected completion date of the downtown living project is Mar. 15.

These are just a few of the many projects we believe will come to fruition in the 12 months ahead, and we look forward to sharing new and exciting initiatives with you as they develop. Thank for your continued support of our downtown. Remember to visit our retailers, restaurants and art venues.

Fall Downtown Deals Wednesday dining promotion runs through November On Wednesdays through Nov. 21, the Downtown Special Improvement District will be hosting the “Downtown Deals Wednesday” dining promotion.

Diners to the participating downtown Canton restaurants will receive one half-priced entrée for each entrée they purchase at regular price. Select downtown restaurants will offer this special discount to diners every Wednesday through Nov. 21. The discount is valid after 5 p.m. only.

In order to receive the discount, a coupon must be presented at time of purchase.

Coupons can be downloaded from www.

DowntownCanton.com, or clipped from

upcoming issues of The Repository on Wednesdays.

Downtown Deals will feature 12 downtown Canton restaurants, including: Arcadia Grille, Bender’s Tavern, Desert Inn, The Lion’s Den, Lucca, Napoli’s Italian Eatery, Picciano’s Martini Bar (appetizers only available), Primo’s, Sports Therapy Bar and Grill, Thatsa Wrapp, Thorpe’s Grill at the McKinley Grand and Tozzi’s Restaurant Downtown.

For details about Downtown Deals Wednesday, visit www.DowntownCanton. com, or contact Annette Rosenberger at annette@cantonchamber.org or (330) 458-2092.

First Friday

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2013 Line Up:

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SAVE THE DATE NOW FOR 2013!

Jan. 4 Cold as Ice

First Friday Tidbits

Feb. 1 Queen of HeARTS

What’s coming up in the coming months?

Zombie Artvasion Friday, Nov. 2 With ghosts and ghouls still in full force just days after Halloween, the Zombie Artvasion First Friday on Nov. 2 will bring the walking dead to life with the help of the Ananda Center and local artist demonstrations. There’s also an on-site bloodmobile—for deposits only.

Cold as Ice Friday, Jan. 4 Back by popular demand! The January First Friday is all about the ice. Carving demos from experts and experimenters will heat up the streets all around the Canton Arts District.

S’mores will be roasting and violins will be playing all evening.

Bebop and Shop Friday, Dec. 7 Dance into the decadence of the holidays with a little help from local a chocolatier. The Bebop and Shop First Friday on Dec. 7 will give you both the sugar and the shopping highs you love, with great deals from all your favorite downtown arts vendors. Everyone will be having a sale in this festive frenzy designed to promote local art.

For the most up-to-date First Friday information, visit www.CantonFirstFriday.com.

First Friday is celebrated every first Friday of the month from 6 to 10 p.m. in downtown Canton. First Friday is sponsored by Stark Community Foundation, and presented by ArtsinStark, the County Arts Council, and the Downtown Canton Special Improvement District.

March 1 Spirit of Art April 5 Music in Me May 3 Make a Difference May June 7 Red, White and Blues July 5 Chalk the Walk

Photo courtesy of Jeremy Aronhalt, A Studio Photography

Aug. 2 Tackling the Arts Sept. 6 Harvest of Arts Oct. 4 Kids at Art Nov. 1 Cultural Cornucopia Dec. 6 Art Under the Tree

Special Improvement District Annual Meeting

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he Downtown Canton Special Improvement

District

(SID)

annual meeting will take place

on Thursday, Nov. 15, at 4 p.m. at the Canton Regional Chamber of Commerce (located at 222 Market Ave. N in downtown Canton). This meeting will include a review of 2012, the election of board members, and the presentation of SID annual awards, which recognize projects and investments in our downtown.

SID Annual Awards The businesses receiving the annual awards at this year’s meeting are: B-Side Wine House, Basil Asian Bistro, Canton Food Tours, The Lion’s Den, Lynda Tuttle’s Art Center, Sports Therapy Bar and Grill and Tozzi’s Restaurant Downtown.

Board Member Election Board members that are up for election are: Ronald D. Becker, Steve Coon, Jon H. Jacob; Robert King, Thomas W. Schervish Jr. and Dennis P. Saunier.

2012 Annual Report The Special Improvement District 2012 Annual Report will also distributed at this meeting. To obtain a copy of the Annual Report, visit www.downtowncanton.com or stop in to the Canton Development Partnership offices

The SID is a non-profit corporation that provides programming to preserve the economic well being of downtown Canton. The organization is dedicated to preserving the aesthetic, architectural and historic character of the downtown area and is funded by special assessments on downtown property owners. Boundaries of the district generally are Ninth Street on the south, 12th Street on the north, Savannah Avenue on the east, and High Avenue on the west.

All property owners in the SID—as well as members of the public—are welcome to attend the meeting to learn about downtown projects and to network with fellow property owners, downtown supporters and business owners. Please RSVP by calling Annette Rosenberger at (330) 458-2092.

SID Awards from top: Basil Asian Bistro, Tozzi’s Restaurant Downtown, B-Side Wine House, Canton Food Tours, The Lion’s Den, Lynda Tuttle’s Art Center, Sports Therapy Bar and Grill

Downtown Master Plan: New, Updated Vision for Our Future 18, 2003. The report, its findings and recommendations were presented to Canton City Council and was accepted by that body.

No one could argue that our world has changed in many ways since the publication of this master plan in 2003. The economic downturn of 2008 has affected all segments of our national economy. Locally, we have seen the trickledown effect of many negative aspects of this crisis. As a result, the Canton Development Partnership, in conjunction with the Downtown Canton Special Improvement District, has recommended that we update our 2003 Master Plan to incorporate some of the current realities of our economy into the roadmap moving forward.

In 2000, our community and its leadership embarked upon a planning process to identify key strategies to make our downtown a vibrant, thriving place.

The plan provided a framework for revitalization and public right-of-way improvements. The final report was issued on July

In September 2012, CZB Consulting was engaged to review and update our existing plan. The work began in October, and will conclude with a final recommendation document by the end of the first quarter of 2013. We look forward to continuing our efforts in the restoration and revitalization of our downtown.

For more information, contact Mike Gill, director, Canton Development Partnership at mikeg@cantonchamber.org or (330) 456-7253.

Space Available FOR LEASE Metropolitan Centre 601 Cleveland Ave. N The sprawling, 77,000 sq. ft. LEED Certified has it all! The Metropolitan Centre is perfect, with 10,000 ready-to-build square feet for your restaurant or retail store and 9,500 sq. ft. of office space. The Metropolitan Centre has a ballroom banquet space and terrace, and The Auricle Live Music Venue on the lower level.

Space is negotiable. Contact Bill Theiss at 330-754-0365.

FOR LEASE Lease an Art Studio in the heart of the Arts District 310 Fourth Street NW Bring your artistic vision and creative energy to the heart of the arts district. Studio offers 480 sq. ft. along Fourth Street under the lights, steps from the First Friday crowds, downtown concerts and events, restaurants and 20 studios and galleries.

Space is available at $ 295 per month. Contact King Properties at (330) 452-5464.

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Farewell to the most successful Farmers’ Market yet!

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he Canton Development Partnership would like to extend a BIG THANK YOU! to all of our market vendors, our Canton Farmers’ Market supporters and customers, Timken High School and the downtown Canton community for a successful season!

WHBC, The City of Canton and the Canton Regional Chamber of Commerce.

While the market has ended for this season, we’re already looking ahead to next year.

See you all there on June 22!

For 18 weeks this summer, Canton Farmers’ Market growers and producers offered Stark County the freshest produce, organic meats, artisan cheeses, the freshest breads, scrumptious baked goods, vibrant flowers and much, much more.

Customers and vendors were pleasantly surprised with the huge success of the market in its new location at the Timken High School Administrative Building parking lot. It offered more convenient parking and lots of it, along with easy access from downtown and surrounding areas.

This season would not have been possible without our wonderful vendors, loyal customers and generous sponsors. A special thank you goes to the market sponsors including, Aultman Health Foundation, The Repository, Mix 94.1 and News-Talk 1480

Community Garden sprouts strong in the fourth year The downtown Summit Neighborhood Community Garden has just completed its most successful year. The Community Garden, which is located at the intersection of Fifth Street and High Street NW, houses over 85 8 ft. x 9 ft. beds, and each and every one was planted this year!

Now in its fourth year, gardeners enjoyed the raised beds and new soil, generous starts donated by other growers, and meticulously kept grounds provided by Project Rebuild.

The garden offers the community a place to grow healthy, nutritious food, helping to ease food costs and building awareness for the importance of locally-grown food.

The downtown Summit Neighborhood Community Garden is sponsored by the Special Improvement District, with support from Project Rebuild, the garden coordinator. The Community Garden continued to serve as a source of social interaction, creating a sense of community pride and increasing personal connections among neighbors.

Because of the successful season this year, the SID is considering expanding the garden even further to offer a bigger variety of growing options to the public in 2013.

The garden will reopen next spring for another bountiful season!

YMCA ... (continued)

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Tons of Family Fun and Holiday Hoopla!

Light Up Downtown, presented by the Canton Development Partnership, a department of the Canton Regional Chamber, returns for another year of downtown family fun. Light Up is your chance to watch 16 city blocks come alive with attractions, entertainment, refreshments and fun for children of all ages. The excitement is happening from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. in downtown Canton.

This year’s Light Up will feature Christopher Pop-In-Kins, every child’s favorite elf, in a very special musical main stage show that will light up the skies and light up your spirits with community musical acts, fantastic fireworks and a ho, ho, ho-liday visit from the man in red. You’re in for a night of surprises and fun for all ages! Best of all? This festive festival is FREE! You can look forward to carriage rides, singing and local dance troupe performances, children’s crafts and activities and much, much more! The downtown center city is transformed into a winter wonderland for the occasion, and our local businesses will provide activities and refreshments as you take in all the holiday delights our community has to offer.

Donate Hats & Mittens!

During the event, the Canton City Fire Department will distribute hats and mittens to children in need. If you would like to donate new children’s hats and mittens, please bring them to one of our donation boxes, located at the Canton Regional Chamber of Commerce, and other downtown Canton locations, between now and the Light Up event. Visit LightUpDowntown.com for a list of all donation locations.

Light Up Downtown will be held rain, snow or shine. There will be plenty of free parking, both on-street and in the Timken High School and Stark County District Library parking lots, as well as parking in various decks and lots throughout downtown for a nominal fee.

Visit LightUpDowntown.com for a full schedule of events and even more details about Christopher Pop-In-Kins and this year’s show.

For those looking to double the dose of downtown holiday hoopla, Bebop and Shop will continue the holiday festivities downtown at First Friday on December 7. Visit CantonFirstFriday.com for all the details.

About Christopher Pop-In-KinsTM and Imaginatives® Christopher Pop-In-Kins, written and published in 1985 by Flora Johnson of Atwater, Ohio, is the award winning story of Santa’s “very first Children’s Elf.” Imaginatives is the creative team behind Christopher Pop-In-Kins. Located in Alliance, Ohio, Imaginatives specializes in the development, marketing and distribution of children’s books and toys. For more information, visit Christopher Pop-In-Kins online at www.ChristopherPopInKins.com.

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November

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through Feb. 18 Exhibit: Life in Miniature McKinley Presidential Library & Museum www.firstladies.org through April 26 Exhibit: Ohio First Ladies National First Ladies’ Library www.firstladies.org Art Film Canton Palace Theatre www.cantonpalacetheatre.org First Friday – Zombie Artvasion Downtown Canton www.cantonfirstfriday.com First Friday Family Movie Canton Palace Theatre www.cantonpalacetheatre.org 3 Stooges Film Festival Canton Palace Theatre www.cantonpalacetheatre.org Scared Scriptless Kathleen Howland Theater www.secondapril.org Mahler – Symphony No. 2 in c minor Canton Symphony www.cantonsymphony.org Ladies Night Kathleen Howland Theater www.secondapril.org North Canton Playhouse Presents: An Old Fashioned Canton Christmas Canton Palace Theatre www.cantonpalacetheatre.org Storybook Series Players Guild Theatre www.playersguildtheatre.com Legacy Lunch Series National First Ladies’ Library www.firstladies.org

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Soup at Six – McKinley Presidency through Film McKinley Presidential Library & Museum www.mckinleymuseum.org The Ultimate Tribute Presents: Mike Albert as Elvis Canton Palace Theatre www.cantonpalacetheatre.org Dancing with Canton’s Stars: Season 2 Canton Palace Theatre www.cantonpalacetheatre.org Perry High School Band Performance Canton Palace Theatre www.cantonpalacetheatre.org A Christmas Story Canton Palace Theatre www.cantonpalacetheatre.org Art Film Canton Palace Theatre www.cantonpalacetheatre.org A Christmas Carol Players Guild Theatre www.playersguildtheatre.com Holiday Party McKinley Presidential Library & Museum www.mckinleymuseum.org

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through Feb. 18 Exhibit: Life in Miniature McKinley Presidential Library & Museum www.mckinleymuseum.org Scared Scriptless Kathleen Howland Theater www.secondapril.org A Christmas Carol Players Guild Theatre www.playersguildtheatre.com Audience Choice Canton Symphony www.cantonsymphony.org

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through Mar. 11 The Cleveland School: Watercolor and Clay Love Between the Atoms: Eva Kwong Kirk Mangus: New Drawings and Ceramics, Permanent Collection: Mark of the Hand Canton Museum of Art www.cantonart.org Light Up Downtown 16 Blocks of Holiday Hoopla Downtown Canton www.downtowncanton.com Light Up Downtown: Featuring a selection of The Nutcracker Canton Palace Theatre www.cantonpalacetheatre.org Canton Ballet: The Nutcracker Canton Palace Theatre www.cantonpalacetheatre.org A Christmas Carol Players Guild Theatre www.playersguildtheatre.com Holiday Open Hearth Dinner McKinley Presidential Library & Museum www.mckinleymuseum.org First Friday – Bebop & Shop Downtown Canton www.cantonfirstfriday.com A Family White House Christmas National First Ladies’ Library www.firstladies.org Canton Ballet: The Nutcracker Canton Palace Theatre www.cantonpalacetheatre.org Art Film Canton Palace Theatre www.cantonpalacetheatre.org A Christmas Carol Players Guild Theatre www.playersguildtheatre.com The Polar Express Canton Palace Theatre www.cantonpalacetheatre.org

More event information at www.DowntownCanton.com

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Jason Farnham and Friends Canton Palace Theatre www.cantonpalacetheatre.org Art Film Canton Palace Theatre www.cantonpalacetheatre.org Holiday Brass Canton Symphony www.cantonsymphony.org

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through Feb. 18 Exhibit: Life in Miniature McKinley Presidential Library & Museum www.mckinleymuseum.org First Friday – Cold as Ice Downtown Canton www.cantonfirstfriday.com First Friday Family Movie Canton Palace Theatre www.cantonpalacetheatre.org Flute & Marimba Canton Symphony www.cantonsymphony.org Charlie and the Chocolate Factory Players Guild Theatre www.playersguildtheatre.com Charlie and the Chocolate Factory Players Guild Theatre www.playersguildtheatre.com Ida Saxton McKinley Tea National First Ladies’ Library www.firstladies.org Tea with the Curator Life in Miniature McKinley Presidential Library & Museum www.mckinleymuseum.org Vive le Francais featuring Andre Watts Canton Symphony www.cantonsymphony.org