The Downtown Auburn Business Association (DABA) has been serving downtown Auburn, Indiana, since the 1940’s when it was established as an association for business owners to gather and collaborate, focusing their efforts on bringing customers to the downtown. In the early days as was the case in all downtowns across the country, nearly all business took place in downtown business districts and most
towns and cities had a retail merchant’s association. As one of the oldest business associations in the state of Indiana, DABA’s membership consists of fifty six retail and service businesses that all share the same goal; "To foster and maintain a viable downtown business district through community pride and awareness, promotion and marketing, and philanthropic endeavors". Throughout the year DABA sponsors the following community events: The Downtown Farmers Market, planting of the flowers in the downtown planters, Summer Cruise-ins, "Red Hats in Downtown", the Little Miss and Junior Miss pageants, ACD Arts & Craft show, "Halloween in Downtown", and the annual Christmas Parade and the lighting of the "Frosty the Snowman" display. Over the years DABA has sponsored several art exhibits in downtown Auburn. In 2009 the “Sitting Pretty” exhibit was a huge success. In 2011 The exhibit entitled "EaselMania" once again brought many people to Auburn. This summer's exhibit entitled "Kick Back" Adirondack Art will feature 20 adirondack chairs located in the downtown business district. Local artists will be showcased once again during the months of June through early September. The chairs will be auctioned at the end of the exhibit in September. In addition to these events, DABA is an annual supporter of the DeKalb County Fair and has donated to the following projects: Reike Park, The DeKalb County Outdoor Theater, and the J. Seward Johnson sculpture exhibit, presented by the Auburn Arts Commission. DABA meets the first Thursday of each month (Except January) at 8:00 am at the Bread Basket. If you would like to become a member and help support the efforts of DABA in historic downtown Auburn, please visit our website. Contact email: [email protected].
