Downtown Wabash: The Destination & Brand

One word: micropolitan. No, we didn’t make up that word. A “micropolitan” is a city with 10,000 to 50,000 residents. Small is the new cool and Wabash is on-trend. Visit the Downtown District and you will see the local economy is thriving. Not only are the buildings in pristine condition, the storefronts are full. The local coffee shop, more than a dozen boutiques, two theaters, a historic hotel, and a brewpub are among the destinations in the district. Even in the era of big-box stores and internet shopping, Wabash has not forgotten that downtown is the heartbeat of the community. 

What makes Downtown Wabash different?

In 1981, the community created a nonprofit organization to support the revitalization of Downtown Wabash called Wabash Marketplace, Inc. This concept was born from the “Main Street Movement” started at the national level, as an economic development tool. Small towns across the country made commitments to preserve their downtown core and not demolish their history.

Fast forward 40 years and Downtown Wabash is vibrant!

The buildings are preserved and protected with the guidance of a local commission. Façade dollars are concentrated in the Historic District. The downtown is designated as a state-wide Cultural District. Synergy between private and public partnerships is at an all-time high. 

It’s time for the next level of impact. 

Wabash Marketplace, Inc. served its purpose as a preservation-based nonprofit for four decades. In 2022, the organization was rebranded with a renewed vigor for place-based revitalization. Along with historic preservation, the district will focus on arts/culture and small business support.

Hello, my name is Downtown Wabash, Inc.

To reflect the new focus for the organization, the Board of Directors championed a rebrand from Wabash Marketplace, Inc. to Downtown Wabash, Inc. This change comes at the perfect time for the organization with a new location and expanded staff. Located in the newly renovated Wabash Landing building, the headquarters of Downtown Wabash, Inc. are open to the public Monday through Friday. The new storefront offers Downtown Wabash merchandise and promotional materials for local businesses. 

More important than the building (and the building is darn cool!), is what happens inside. The staff at Downtown Wabash, Inc. leads the revitalization efforts along with year-round marketing and event planning. 

No matter when you visit, there is something delightful happening in Downtown Wabash. “First Friday” transforms the district into a monthly street festival jam-packed with food trucks, vendors, and live music. Saturday mornings are casual–drinking iced coffee while shopping for handmade, homemade, and homegrown products at the Farmers Market. “Shop Hop” campaigns encourage local shopping and dining. Every detail of your experience is curated by the team at Downtown Wabash, Inc. 

So the next time you make your way to Downtown Wabash, you’ll have a little more knowledge about the organization that rallies together with small businesses in the district to make your experience a memorable one. (Stop by and see us, too! 189 S. Miami St. at the Wabash Landing)