Your Downtown Connection October 2019

SATURDAY NOV 30th— #SHOPSMALL WITH US For Businesses –Help Your Business Stand Out Get ready to decorate your store for he big

day! Email Tina for links to personalized marketing materials for your storefront, social media, and website. Check out some ways to help drive in even more foot traffic on Small Business Saturday. Supplies limited to the first 10 to sign up!!

Special one day only offers on Nov 30—publicize offers ahead of time with free posters, save the date cards, and your online sites. There’s lots of quick, simple ideas available for you, YOU MUST SIGN UP BY NOV 15!

For Shoppers—Start Your Giving Lists NOW, there’s more great gifts than you think, right here, close to home!

Local businesses support our sports teams, area events, 4H, community churches & clubs, and more! Give them your support by shopping. Gift Certificates—salons, barbers, tanning, local flavors with eateries, oil changes, photography. For your fitness buff—gym/fitness/dance memberships or classes. Looking for something more personal—try local retail shops.

They’re all online at miportland.org!

Contact Us: 517-647-5027 tinacw@portland-michigan.org

What an AMAZING Birthday Weekend Celebration!!

You can still get SesQUENCHtennial Amber Ale brewed just for this celebration at ConfluxCity Brewing Many thanks to the Portland Cruisers for the amazing night of classic vehicles cruising our historic downtown. The parade was fantastic with surprise entries, antiques were shown off and discussed, our artisan crafts were unique and giftable. Tasty treats of kettle corn, coney dogs, home made root beer, and hand shaken lemonade refreshed guests. Portland now proudly displays an historic marker at Scout Park that delivers our history. Kent St was full of play, some by design, some impromptu - and it included a petting zoo! We settled into beautifully presented decades of music, along with a show by the Portland High School Marching Band—And then came the Fireworks, an exciting and

nostalgic display lit the sky and our hearts at the Flats. Sunday brought a change of venue, and with everyone pulling together we had an incredible community meal of fine local foods prepared by our favorite restaurants and caterer Taste of Heaven. The bells did ring, and we shared a moment of gratitude for the lives we intertwine with each other, and the place we call home. How sweet it was to have nearly 50 desserts from all age groups, and there was a lot of fun in ’fundraising’ with the cake walk/bake walk that followed. Portland does truly love its games & athletes, so the fitting finish was Vintage Base Ball where our Portland Blue Sox prevailed over the Michigan Barnstormers.

Thanks, Recognition, Details, Photo’s, and Winners will be announced on the FB page Portland 150, at the portland150.org website, and through The Beacon.

BILL’S PARTY STORE submitted by Kurt Fedewa

Bill and Roberta Lear are the proud owners of Bill’s party Store, a liquor and convenience store that serves Portland and its surrounding community.

Bill has been in business since 1970, when he ran Lear’s Supermarket. In 1978, Bill opened Bill’s Party Store.

“The party store is a good place to be.” Said Bill. “I agree.” Said Roberta. “Our owners and our employees work hard to create a very special environment at the store.”

Among its many offerings, Bill’s sells groceries, chips, and soft drinks; but it specializes in liquor and in craft beer.

“Craft beer is available in bottles and cans.” Said Bill. “But our customers may also fill growlers, howlers, and yowlers with the craft brew on tap. In addition to this, we sell kegs of craft beer and of domestic brew.”

Bill’s also sells lotto tickets.

“We sold a million dollar lotto ticket in June of this year.” Said Bill. “It was purchased by a local man.”

Bill’s son Bill II is the manager of the store under his father. Bill II orders merchandise, does book keeping, and supervises three other employees.

Bill’s also offers an array of fishing gear and bait, as well as over-the-counter medicine. There is something for everyone at Bill’s.

The Lears love Portland.

“We consider Portland to be unique.” Said Bill. “People here look out for one another.”

“The schools here are outstanding.” Said Roberta. “I cannot say enough good things about Portland.”

Bill looks back on his business experience in Portland with pride.

“I love Portland and I have loved being in business here.” He said. “We are approaching the fifty year mark of being in operation. I have thoroughly enjoyed serving the people of this city. It has been a great ride and we are still enjoying every minute of it.”

1153 E. Grand River 517-647-2265

Sunday: 9:00 am - 10:00 pm * Monday thru Thursday: 7:00 am - 10:00 pm *Friday and Saturday: 7:00 am- 11:00 pm

FIND MORE EVENTS, SHARE YOUR EVENTS MIPORTLAND.ORG!

Your Downtown Connection October 2019

dda@portland-michigan.org 517-647-5027