I took Marion’s transformative progress down the road for a speech at the meeting for the Marion Retired Teachers Association last week, and it was spirited to say the least!
We travelled back in time to start with how downtown looked previously in its former glory days. Fast forward to when our team came on the scene in 2018, companies had gone out, stores had closed, and there was 80% vacancy on South Main Street. We had a greater vision for Main Street: returning energy to the soul of the community, the center of dining, shopping, & entertainment downtown.
When I talked about all the changes our company has made, as well as other passionate individuals who have stepped up in the community, it was clear to see that we are really creating a story worth telling, both in Marion, and beyond! And that’s actually a mark of hope, that while we get our community up and thriving, it’s still not at its fullest potential because people still don’t know what all our downtown has to offer!
There’s more to downtown than people realize, and when we check out on checking things out, we lose the heartbeat of what makes us strong, unique, and connected. I want to continue to tell that story, to bring awareness, so we can flourish in full color once again in our vibrant downtown.
Sandi Weddington and her husband, Steve, are the newest business owners in Downtown Marion with their business, Blend of Seven Winery. Sandi shares the story of how a particular date got them interested in wine, then a winemaking kit led to a hobby, which led to a business when they both found themselves unexpectedly unemployed.
She also shares some heartfelt advice for dealing with challenges and disappointments, as well as from where she draws inspiration. During our conversation I learned the fascinating story behind Blend of Seven Winery, including where the name came from and how they took the leap. But as we dove deeper, I gleaned how Steve and Sandi balance working together and how they have fun with their wines while taking the process very seriously.
Check out the podcast here: Apple podcasts, Spotify, or watch on YouTube.
Click on the image below for the direct link to YouTube!
From the opening of Ray Ray’s Hog Pit, to the first 3rd Thursday that happened this week, to the Loft Tours and other upcoming downtown events, there is a lot to talk about! I loved the opportunity to chat with the members of the Marion County Retired Teachers Association. It is always fun to see many smiling and familiar faces in the crowd. Whoever said teachers aren’t good listeners was wrong, in this case
anyway!
If you missed last week’s email that included the very first HDG MONTHLY, be sure to go back and check it out! It was full of tenant stories, team updates, inspo boards, and more! If you have other ideas of what we need to cover next month, shoot me an email.
Next week we have BIG NEWS to announce, and we are bringing it exclusively to our newsletter subscribers first! I can’t wait to share one more item we’ve been working on for months, that we finally get to make public!
Until next week,
Luke Henry Col 3:23
