Back Door Grant Program

06/08/2011

The West Mesa Community Development Corporation in partnership with State Farm Insurance and LISC (Local Initiative Support Corp) is creating the Back Door Grant Program for businesses on Main Street between Sycamore and Mesa Drive. The purpose of the program is to make building and signage improvements to the rear of the businesses in an effort to increase customer use of rear entries--thus avoiding the construction in advance and during installation of our light rail expansion. This is a GRANT program, not a loan. Applications and information regarding the grant program are available. Contact the West Mesa Community Development Corporation for an application or information by emailing Cynthia.wmcdc@gmail.com or by calling 480-964-3751.

Hit Motorcycle Event Gets Bigger & Better

06/08/2011

Motorcycles on Main expanded in June and had record attendance with more than 800 bikes and 1000s of people.  The hit downtown event extended on Main Street past Robson Street all the way to Morris to allow for more beer gardens, bands, and great motorcycle fun! 

In July Motorcycles on Main will be part of the Arizona Celebration of Freedom on Friday, July 1.  It's the same great event with the addition of more food, more vendors, tons more music, Independence Day shows and entertainment, carnival games, water fun, and tons more!

New vendors are welcome to apply at http://www.downtownmesa.com/Vendor%20Application.pdf and bands interested in playing the event should contact Christy Jones at 480-890-2613 or christy@downtownmesa.com. 

DMA and UII would like thank all of the businesses that have helped to make sure that Motorcycles on Main stays in downtown Mesa.  Sponsors include Chesters Harley Davidson, Victory Motorcycles of Mesa, Logan's Valley Motorcycle, The Grill on Main, Cucina di Vita, Queens Pizza, Mangos Mexican Cafe, Kirks's Sports Grill, Maher Flooring, Urban Picnic, The GoodStore and de la Cruz Bistro.

2nd Friday Night Out

06/08/2011

Voted the New Times 2010 Best Block Party, 2nd Friday is a fun event every month.

June 10 'Summer Sizzles' in downtown Mesa with Improv teams, a poetry slam, author book signings, free book giveaways for kids, interactive 'word' art projects, prizes, live bands and tons more.  In July, 2nd Friday will have a 'Beach Party' and August is 'Dog Days of Summer'.

Don't miss all the fun on the 2nd Friday of every month in downtown Mesa!

American Iron Classic Car Show

06/08/2011

American Iron Classic Car Show
Arizona Celebration of Freedom

Space is limited for the 2011 American Iron Classic Car Show on July 2 during the Arizona Celebration of Freedom.  Only 120 pre-1976 cars can register for this FREE-ENTRY event.  There will be cash prizes and awards.  For more information, go to arizonacelebrationoffreedom.com or contact Christy Jones at 480-890-2613.

Local Thunder Business Showcases

06/08/2011

Local Thunder Business Showcases

Along with the new website, DMA has partnered with Local Thunder to offer enhanced showcases for participating businesses.  All our downtown businesses are included in our online business directory, however businesses that sign up for a showcase have the opportunity to offer dynamic content such as streaming video, coupons, menus or brochures, social media feeds, maps & directions and more.  For information on a free 3 month trial showcase, contact Sam O'Meara at someara@localthunder.com or call 866-781-9360 ext. 116.

Coffee Shops Galore

06/08/2011

Coffee Shops Galore

Need to kick-start your day with a great cup of 'joe'?  Want an afternoon jolt of caffine?  Look no further than downtown Mesa.

Downtown Rendezvous located in the city building at 20 E. Main has a coffee lounge area.

Inside the Bungalow located at 48 N. Robson, is the winner of the East Valley Tribune's Best of East Valley 2011, Best Coffeehouse and Best Barista by AJ Ramero and Phoenix New Times Best Coffeehouse Mesa 2009 and 2010.  With coffee, espresso, tea, frozen drinks, smoothies, and great food as well, you're sure to add a zip to your day.

Gotham City Comics & Coffee located at 46 W. Main Street offers fresh roasted coffee drinks in a funky, fun, and retro comic book shop.

The Sugar Shack located at 12 W. Center Street has gourmet coffees and cappuccinos in a retro cafe.

Urban Picnic located at 218 W. Main Street can make you a regular cup of 'joe' as well as cappuccino, espresso and more.

Vinyl Rush Cafe located at 40 N. Macdonald offers fresh roasted coffee, espresso drinks, smoothies, hot tea, pastries and bagels for you to enjoy in their courtyard setting.

Downtown Sculptures

06/08/2011

DOWNTOWN SCULPTURE COLLECTION

Mesa’s 36 piece Permanent Sculpture Collection provides an opportunity to take an "art walk" downtown any time of year! More information, including photos of all 36 pieces in the collection, is available at www.DowntownMesa.com.

In & Out Art Walk

06/08/2011

“In & Out Art Walk”
Downtown Mesa

The Az Arts Collective invites you to take the self-guided “In & Out Art Walk” in Downtown
Mesa shops and restaurants to see unique art and learn about the “outsider artists” who are part of the “Adopt an artist” project. Shops currently displaying art include:

142 W. Main – Cucina di Vita Italian Deli
140 W. Main – The Rusty Nail Gallery
130 W. Main – Muralt’s Custom Jewelers
138 W. Main – Still Life Studios
125 W. Main – Queens Pizza
120 W. Main – Antique Plaza
114 W. Main – Antique Plaza Booth #3
113 W. Main – Gunnell’s Jewelry
48 W. Main – SunDust Gallery
47 W. Main – Le Studio Salon
44 W. Main – Mango’s Mexican Café
21  W. Main – Sweet Cakes Café
10  W. Main – de la Cruz Bristo
12  N. Center – Sugar Shack

The Arizona Arts Collective mission is to serve artists with disabilities, who are often considered part of the group called “outsider artists”. The Collective promotes public displays of their art through local businesses and entities to enhance marketing and sales of this unique and interesting art, which is not often seen by the public. The Collective promotes coaching of these artists to get them started as entrepreneurs to build self-confidence and independence to benefit all areas of their life. The Arizona Arts Collective can be reached at 480-844-7520 or e-mail at mmwhite@inficad.com. 

Hackerspace Comes to Downtown Mesa

06/08/2011

HeatSync Labs

HeatSync Labs a collaborative "hackerspace" is relocating to Downtown Mesa at 140 W. Main Street.   The a non-profit incubator of engineers and artists gives potential inventors the workspace, tools and other resources to make their ideas reality. 

Engineers at HeatSynch Labs work with software, electronics and industrial equipment on projects ranging from wearable computing to a Tesla Coil.

In addition to the space to create, HeatSync will have a retail space and host events to encourage people to watch the creative process or even take part.  One of the reasons that HeatSync chose to move to downtown Mesa was the downtown business community.  The classes and shows offered in downtown Mesa as well as the offbeat businesses provided HeatSync with the kind of community they were looking for.  "One of our biggest benefits is actually being able to tie together all these different groups with the events that we do," said Leung (Mesa Tribune 5/12/11). 

"This move will offer amazing opportunities to reach our audience, grow our membership, increase our funding and fill our space with state-of-the-art tools," HeatSync's relocation committee said (Mesa Republic 5/21/11).

Get Ready for Monsters

06/08/2011

Monsterland Scheduled to Open in September

You may have noticed the changing displays at 18 W. Main.  If you haven't, walk by and take a look.  The one of a kind monsters and effects will be part of Monsterland, a museum and haunted house due to open in downtown Mesa in late September.

Owner Kevin Wynn purchased the property and has been hard at work designing the building to house sets and scenes sure to scare.  Wynn plans for the museum and haunted house to be scary, but says, "it's going to be PG-13 scary.  We want this to be family friendly."

Many of the original works of Kyle Thompson and Breanna Wynn, owners of Midnight Studios, will be on display.  Midnight Studios designs props and monsters for haunted houses and does some work for films.

More information on Monsterland will be available as their opening date approaches.