Have you noticed how much has been going on around town lately? We're not just talking about the community events and programs — we're talking about the projects and developments, too.
Big things are in the works for small businesses like JK Gift Shop and The Interior Design Studio. Owners Julie McNabb and Katie Heinz, who sit on the Main Street Medina Design Committee, worked with the city and investors to get plans for a boutique hotel approved through the Medina Historic Preservation Board. The hotel — with the moniker Legacy Hotel — will be located on the south side of Medina Square and will serve as a valuable opportunity to showcase Medina as a premier destination.
What's important to note about Legacy Hotel is that it won't be a national chain. Further, the 75-room inn will sport a brick exterior to match neighboring buildings along South Court Street. It will also be the first hotel downtown Medina has seen since the 1950s.
Julie says that the intention behind the hotel is to support small businesses: "Everyone loves small, locally owned stores, and the Medina community has been so supportive over the years. Large projects like the hotel will increase sales, which in turn let us as business owners invest back into the community."
The Main Street Medina Design Committee is also working on the South Town Design Plan — a culmination of concepts derived from district stakeholder meetings, the city's Comprehensive Plan and public sessions with neighborhood residents, business property owners and visitors. According to the Main Street Medina website, this plan focuses on three priority areas: gateway development, Mill Street pedestrian improvements and gathering space. The next steps include seeking project funding.
In addition to their involvement on the Main Street Medina Design Committee, Julie and Katie are members of other local government and community boards. The duo also sits on the Main Street Medina Promotions Committee, which is responsible for planning all of the free community events like the Candlelight Walk and the Ladies Night Out programming.
"We love being involved in local groups so that we can continue to keep our community relevant. Medina wasn't named Ohio Magazine's best hometown in 2018 and 2019 by chance. Not to mention the fact that it was recognized by HGTV as one of the nation's best small towns to visit for Christmas," Julie says. "All of this takes effort and teamwork by everyone, including city representatives, the Greater Medina Chamber of Commerce and small businesses."
To learn more about Medina's developing South Town District, visit MainStreetMedina.com/South-Town-District.HTML. To support Julie and Katie's locally owned businesses, visit ShopJKGifts.com and InteriorDesignStudioOH.com.
