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By Rachel Kytonen
rachel.kytonen@ecm-inc.com
An honest feeling that downtown is the “heart of the community” has lead Jaysen Guthmueller to take action.
He started attending Isanti downtown revitalization meetings shortly after becoming president of the Isanti Area Chamber of Commerce, and decided to invest his own business into Isanti’s downtown.
In early December, Guthmueller relocated his American Family Insurance agency to Isanti’s Main Street and is excited about the momentum building regarding Main Street projects and businesses.
Pictured: The Jaysen Guthmueller Agency, (far left) recently relocated to Main Street in Isanti. The former Miller Automotive building, (far right) on the west end of Main Street, has been tax forfeited by Isanti County and will be sold at a future auction. Photo by Karen Barth
“Being downtown really puts you more in the heart of things,” Guthmueller said. “The downtown committee is really working hard to get things going as a group by working and promoting our businesses together.”
For Guthmueller’s project, he used Isanti Area Chamber of Commerce members for the remodel whenever possible.
He noted Josh Fedder’s Million Dollar Homes was the general contractor for the project; the paint and supplies were purchased from Isanti Hardware Hank; the project was financed by Community Pride Bank; the sign was done by Reller Signs; and the painting was done by A & D Painting all of Isanti.
“It was important for me to keep the money in the community,” Guthmueller said.
Peter & Associates relocates
Guthmueller is excited about another Isanti business, Peter & Associates, that has recently relocated into the front of the Landmark Community Bank building on Main Street.
“I’m a big believer in activity breeding activity,” said Guthmueller. “With the bank being sold you have a business that has been renting, and is now taking an equity position and moving their business downtown. It’s exciting when you have a tenant moving into ownership.”
LaVerne Peter, owner of Peter & Associates, said on Friday she closed on the building Jan. 3 and added Kevin Johnson, president of Landmark Community Bank, was very good to work with.
Peter said the bank will continue to operate out of the back of the building, but there are three lease spaces available. She said bank customers are welcome to enter the building through the front and walk back to the bank.
“We really needed more space, and when we couldn’t get any more space where we were at, my staff went out and looked at available buildings,” Peter said. “We needed more space because our current location was really becoming a paper warehouse, and we knew we needed to do something.”
Peter said she is excited about owning her own building, which has been changed to the “Peter Professional Building.”
“I’m really excited about being where we are at and I’m hoping it’ll be a good location for us,” Peter said. “If we retain our current customers, this will help to increase traffic flow significantly on Main Street.”
Peter & Associates opened in Isanti in February 2000 and has approximately 150 business clients and 500 individual clients. Peter credits her business’ growth due to the hard work of her staff.
“I may own the company, but it’s really our company,” Peter said. “My staff takes as much ownership in this company as I do. We have a good number of clients from the Twin Cities who come to us because they like us. That’s a huge credit to my staff.”
Peter & Associates will be holding an open house in celebration of their new location on Friday, Jan. 18 from 4 to 8 p.m.
Upcoming projects
Guthmueller said the Isanti downtown revitalization meetings have given downtown business owners a chance to meet and brainstorm different ideas.
He said a few of the more recent ideas the downtown committee has discussed include a gateway project that would link the highway to downtown; putting flower planters in front of businesses; marketing promotions in newspapers; and facade remodeling.
He said with over 20 businesses located downtown, the committee is working hard at generating promotions to get residents downtown.
“When talking with people, you hear they moved up here for the small town atmosphere,” Guthmueller said. “The only way to have a successful downtown is if people support the downtown businesses.”
The slow down of the economy and the housing market have some-what helped the downtown revitalization.
“I believe the way the housing market and economy have been going has given us a new opportunity to revitalize the downtown because the focus hasn’t been across Hwy. 65,” Guthmueller said. “While that has taken a break, it has given us a chance to get the downtown going.”
Guthmueller said there are currently four different financial tools to help current or potential downtown businesses owners. A fifth financial tool is being worked on and relates to a grant from the state of Minnesota.
Supporting Isanti
Susi McCune, a longtime Isanti resident who used to own two Isanti Main Street businesses, has been going to downtown meetings for over 30 years.
“Of all the years I’ve been involved with downtown meetings, this is the strongest group we’ve had as far as having energetic leadership,” McCune said. “I have a good feeling this time that something will happen. The fact that we have some new businesses on Main Street and people willing to get involved is a good thing.”
McCune views the fact that Main Street is flanked by residential areas as one of the challenges in regard to Main Street, and feels newer residents may think Co. Rd. 5 is Isanti’s Main Street.
The positive relationship between the downtown committee, the city of Isanti and the Isanti Chamber is helpful in developing Main Street.
“Not all the ideas we’ve talked about recently at downtown meetings have been new ideas, but I’m encouraged by the strong leadership and involvement with the city and the chamber,” McCune said. “Carla [Vita], Jaysen [Guthmueller] and the Isanti Chamber have been very involved with revitalizing the downtown. With the city’s and chamber support we should be able to provide tax and financial incentives to businesses to encourage downtown development.”
While McCune’s business, Specialized Organization Services, is located a half-block from Main Street, she encourages residents to support all of Isanti’s businesses.
“I encourage residents to explore Isanti, not just the downtown, but all of Isanti, including businesses in the Industrial Park and on both sides of Highway 65,” McCune said. “If people want local businesses, they need to shop at them and support them.”
Guthmueller, who grew up in a small town in North Dakota, enjoys the small town atmosphere.
“The reason I’m not an agent in the metro is because I like the sense of community that I see and feel in Isanti, and I genuinely like the people of the area,” Guthmueller said. “This is what I’m accustomed to.”
Guthmueller believes Isanti’s downtown is worth revitalizing.
“We have several turn-of-the-century buildings here and we have everything down here to make it a viable shopping district,” Guthmueller said. “We’re getting more participation from downtown businesses and I believe if we all act as a unified voice, our message will come across a lot stronger.”
Guthmueller mentioned the former Miller Automotive building has been tax forfeited by the county, and an auction on that building will probably be happening soon.
“A strong business community helps everybody,” Guthmueller said. “As our chamber grows and our businesses grow, it helps reduce our taxes and creates jobs.“
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