Watertown Main Street Program

06/23/2026

🎨✨ ART ON MAIN IS HERE! ✨🎨

Downtown Watertown has become an outdoor art gallery, and we're excited to begin our weekly Art on Main Banner Spotlight series!

Each week, we'll feature two of the beautiful banners created by talented local artists and displayed along Main Street. These banners celebrate creativity, community, and the unique spirit of Watertown.

Want to join the fun? Here's how:

🖼️ Pick up an Art on Main brochure and ballot at:
📍 WEPCO Printing – 108 S. Sixth Street
📍 Watertown Area Chamber of Commerce – 519 E. Main Street

🚶 Take a stroll through downtown and enjoy all of the banner artwork on display.

🗳️ Vote for your favorite banners by completing the ballot.

📬 Return your completed ballot to one of the designated collection locations listed in the brochure.

And don't forget—the excitement continues this fall! All of the banners will be available for purchase during a LIVE AUCTION on September 16 at Lyons Irish Pub. This is your chance to take home a one-of-a-kind piece of Watertown art while supporting future downtown initiatives.

Stay tuned each week as we introduce the artists and stories behind these incredible creations!

06/22/2026

✨ Business Spotlight: WEPCO Printing ✨

The Watertown Main Street Program is proud to support downtown businesses through our Facade & Sign Grant Program, and we're excited to celebrate a recent improvement at WEPCO Printing!

Thanks to Facade Grant funding, WEPCO has upgraded the exterior lighting on their historic downtown building, helping to enhance both the appearance and safety of our downtown district. These improvements not only showcase their beautiful building but also contribute to a more welcoming and vibrant Main Street experience for everyone.

For years, WEPCO Printing has been helping businesses, organizations, and individuals make a lasting impression with high-quality printing services. From business cards, brochures, booklets, banners, invitations, signs, promotional items, and more, their team is dedicated to providing exceptional service and professional results right here in downtown Watertown.

When you need printing services, remember to support local and check out WEPCO Printing at 108 S. 6th Street or visit their website: wepcoprinting.com

Thank you, WEPCO Printing, for continuing to invest in downtown Watertown and helping keep our Main Street shining bright! 💙

06/19/2026

If you haven't visited The Chic Boutique in downtown Watertown yet, you're missing one of downtown's hidden gems!

From the moment you walk through the door, you'll find a welcoming atmosphere, beautiful displays, and carefully selected items that help you look and feel your best. Whether you're searching for the perfect outfit, a special piece of jewelry, stylish hair accessories, or beauty products, The Chic Boutique offers a wonderful selection that reflects both quality and personal attention.

What makes this boutique truly special is the passion and dedication behind it. Small business ownership isn't always easy, and every customer who walks through the door makes a difference. By shopping local, you're not only finding unique items you won't see everywhere else—you're supporting a dream and helping keep our historic downtown vibrant and thriving.

Take some time to stop in, browse, and discover something special for yourself or someone you love.

🛍️ The Chic Boutique
📍 Historic Downtown Watertown

Store Hours:
• Thursday & Friday: 11:00 AM – 5:00 PM
• Saturday: 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM

Let's show this local business some love and support! ❤️

06/18/2026

Sometimes the places we love most have stories hidden in plain sight.

For this week's Watertown Downtown Placemakers feature, we're highlighting the Big Blue Chair outside the Watertown Public Library—a whimsical landmark that has brought smiles, laughter, and countless photo opportunities to downtown since the summer of 2016.

The idea for the chair came from longtime Watertown Public Library Director Peg Checkai, who wanted to create something fun and interactive that celebrated the library, families, and the joy of reading. After researching different ideas, she settled on a giant Adirondack chair that children and adults alike could enjoy.

The chair was built by Cole Strohbusch, who was working for Maas Bros. Construction at the time. Maas Bros. generously donated the construction costs, and Cole crafted the chair in a shed at his parents' home before transporting it to the library on a snowmobile trailer.

Peg chose the chair's signature bright blue color and envisioned a design that would invite people to become part of the artwork. She selected the Tiger Swallowtail butterfly, painted by Erika Schultz Niemann, so children could stand on the chair and appear to have butterfly wings.

As Peg beautifully explained, the butterfly was chosen because "Reading gives you wings!" The Tiger Swallowtail also served as a heartfelt tribute to Peg's mother.

Today, a plaque on the chair honors Cole's contribution and the role he played in bringing Peg's vision to life.

The Big Blue Chair is more than a place to sit—it's a reminder that placemaking is about creating spaces that inspire imagination, foster connection, and become part of our shared memories.

Next time you're downtown, stop by the library, take a photo, spread your butterfly wings, and celebrate one of Watertown's most cherished placemakers. 🦋📚💙

06/16/2026

🎸🎶 Music on Main is back this Saturday! 🎶🎸

Join Watertown Main Street Program on Saturday, June 20, 2026, from 6:00–9:00 PM at Bentzin Family Town Square for an evening filled with great music, delicious food, and community fun!

🎤 Road Crew will take the stage at 6:00 PM, bringing the soundtrack for a perfect summer night downtown.

🍔 Come early! Main Street Treats opens at 5:00 PM with all your favorites:
• Burgers
• Cheeseburgers
• Brats
• Corn Dogs
• Walking Tacos
• Popcorn
• Cookies
• Ice Cream Sandwiches
• Snack Mix
• Soda

🍺 The Watertown Rotary Club will also begin serving beer and hard seltzers at 5:00 PM.

🥤 A special thank you to Fort Community Credit Union, our beverage tent sponsor for this concert! Stop by their tent to learn more about their services and enjoy some fun games for all ages.

👕 Don't forget your Music on Main t-shirt! Shirts are available for just $20, and when you purchase a shirt, you'll receive $1 off your food order at the Main Street Treats food booth.

Bring your lawn chairs, gather your family and friends, and enjoy a night of great food, great music, and great company in the heart of downtown Watertown.

🎶 Support Small. Rock Main. Repeat. 🎶

06/15/2026

💻☕ Looking for a fresh perspective on your workday? Our friends at the Watertown Public Library have the perfect solution!

Trade your kitchen table or home office for a productive workspace right in the heart of downtown. The library offers free Wi-Fi, comfortable spaces to work, and a welcoming atmosphere to help you tackle your to-do list.

And one of the best parts? You're just steps away from all that downtown Watertown has to offer. Start your morning with coffee and a pastry from a local café, enjoy lunch at one of our fantastic eateries, and take a well-deserved break with a stroll through Bentzin Family Town Square before diving back into your projects.

It's a great reminder that downtown isn't just a destination for shopping and events—it's a place to connect, create, and be inspired.

Thank you to the Watertown Public Library for highlighting all the ways our downtown supports work, wellness, and community. Be sure to check out and share their original post!

Support Small. Support Downtown Watertown.

How does remote work affect isolation and mental health? We drew on five nationally representative surveys of American workers (N = 588,322) conducted from 2011 to 2024, omitting the peak pandemic years of 2020–2021. Our difference-in-differences ...

06/15/2026

🎨🖌️ Take a stroll through downtown and experience the creativity of our community with Art On Main!

Local artists have transformed Main Street into an outdoor gallery with beautiful art banners displayed throughout downtown through the end of August. As you explore, don't forget to vote for your favorites!

📍 Pick up a brochure and ballot at:
• WEPCO Printing, 108 S. 6th Street
• The shared offices of the Watertown Area Chamber of Commerce and Watertown Main Street Program, 519 East Main Street

🚶‍♀️ Stroll down Main Street, admire the incredible artwork, and choose the banners that inspire you most.

🗳️ Return your completed ballot to either location by August 28.

🖼️ Love a banner and want to take it home? Join us for the Art On Main Auction on Wednesday, September 16, at Lyons Irish Pub! Preview the banners beginning at 5:30 PM, with the auction starting at 6:30 PM. The public is invited to attend and bid on these one-of-a-kind pieces of local art while supporting downtown Watertown.

Thank you to our talented local artists for sharing their creativity and helping make downtown Watertown a vibrant and welcoming place to visit. Which banner will earn your vote? 🌟

06/12/2026

🌽🎶 Tonight's the Night! 🎶🌽

Join us for the first Farmers' Market After Hours of the season tonight, Friday, June 12, 2026, from 5:00 PM – 8:00 PM at the beautiful Bentzin Family Town Square!

Spend your evening strolling through the many vendors of our Farmers' Market, enjoying live music, and soaking in the beauty and energy of downtown Watertown. Whether you're shopping for fresh produce, handmade goods, sweet treats, or unique finds, there's something for everyone to enjoy.

Make a night of it! Before or after visiting the market, stop into the many amazing shops, restaurants, and businesses that make our downtown so special.

For additional event details, visit our Facebook event page:
https://www.facebook.com/events/1258135262703488/?active_tab=discussion

Bring your family, invite your friends, and help us celebrate all that makes downtown Watertown a wonderful place to gather.

06/11/2026

🏙️✨ Introducing a New Thursday Series: Placemakers in Downtown Watertown ✨🏙️

Every great downtown has places and pieces of art that make it unique—those special features that tell our story, spark conversations, and create a sense of place. Starting today, we're excited to introduce Placemakers in Downtown Watertown, a weekly series highlighting the public art, landmarks, and hidden gems that help define the heart of our community.

Our very first placemakers are the playful River Otters on South Water Street. 🦦🦦

This sculpture depicts a North American river otter, native to Wisconsin that historically inhabited the Rock River watershed. Its spirited pose was intentionally designed to capture both the curious, playful nature of the species and our community's enduring connection to the river.

Located along the riverfront on South Water Street, the otter serves as more than just a fun photo opportunity. It reminds us that Watertown's history and prosperity were built around the Rock River. Early mills, industry, and transportation all depended on the river's waterpower, shaping the community we know and love today.

The next time you're downtown, take a stroll along the riverfront, snap a photo with the otter, and take a moment to appreciate the stories woven into the places around us.

Stay tuned each Thursday as we discover the placemakers that make Downtown Watertown truly one of a kind.

📸 Have a favorite downtown placemaker? Share it with us in the comments! Extra points if you post a picture!

06/10/2026

💊🛍️ Did You Know? 🛍️💊

When you think of Hometown Pharmacy (204 East Main Street), you probably think of friendly faces and trusted pharmacy services—and you'd be absolutely right! But did you know this Main Street gem offers so much more?

In addition to being a full-service pharmacy, Hometown Pharmacy features a wonderful selection of:
✨ Beautiful home décor
🎁 Unique gifts
👗 Stylish clothing and accessories
🕯️ Special treasures perfect for treating yourself or finding the perfect gift

Whether you're picking up a prescription, searching for a thoughtful gift, refreshing your home décor, or adding something new to your wardrobe, you'll find plenty to explore.

Next time you're strolling through Downtown Watertown, be sure to stop in and discover everything Hometown Pharmacy has to offer. You might just find your new favorite thing!

❤️ Support small.
🏙️ Explore Downtown Watertown.