MainStreet Beatrice

Visit Downtown Beatrice, Nebraska

Chocolate + Downtown Beatrice = Love

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Saturday, February 4, 2023 – Chocolate Lovers’ Shopping Day Extravaganza is back!

Explore Downtown Beatrice & have some chocolatey fun! The event runs from 10 am to 3pm. It’s a day full of Chocolate tasting paired with great shopping & dining opportunities in Historic Downtown Beatrice!

To begin, simply register on the day of the event at our registration location, 620 Court Street, Vintage Venue in downtown Beatrice and head out to all the great Chocolate Lovers locations!

It’s a fun event you don’t want to miss!

Must be 21 or older to fully participate, limited to the first 200 participants.

Event Sponsorships are still available!

For more details call Main Street Beatrice (402) 223-3244.

Nebraska Legislative Impacts on Main Street’s Mission to Serve and Grow Downtown Beatrice

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Occasionally the happenings of our State Government have a direct impact on the work we are doing here in Beatrice.

That is especially the case with two legislative items we are watching closely.

1 > Efforts to restore and improve the Nebraska Historic Tax Credit

Why is this important to Beatrice?

State Historic Tax Credits are often a valuable tool in the efforts to see older commercial properties rehabilitated. Unfortunately here in Nebraska, the state allowed its Historic Tax Credit to expire at the end of 2022.

Nationwide this is a topic of interest as states look to strengthen their historic tax credits (70% of states have one) or introduce them to their state. Want to learn more? Join us at this webinar on Tuesday!

The webinar is free and open to the public. Register today. https://savingplac.es/3stQ8C7

How does the Historic Tax Credit it impact Beatrice?

Prior to Nebraska’s program expiring, three projects got started using this tool. 1) Poling Drug Building (711 Court), Hevelone Building (114 N 6th), and the bell-tower project at Centenary United Methodist Church (608 Elk).

More properties in the future could utilize the tool if it is brought back. For example, the loss of the Nebraska program has resulted in a $1 million dollar gap for potential redevelopment of the Paddock- Kensington property slowing efforts at that site.

We are supporting an effort to bring Nebraska’s program back, LB697

This bill would reinstate the Nebraska Historic Tax Credit including the following changes from the previous tax credit program.

  • Increasing the 20% credit to 25% for projects in Omaha and Lincoln and 30% in the rest of the state.
  • Lowering the total financial investment to $5,000 from $25,000 in order to be eligible to apply.
  • Raising the per project cap from $1 million to $2 million.
  • Lowering the annual program cap from $15 million to $12 million starting in 2025.
  • Reserving $4 million for projects requesting $100,000 or less in credits for a period of time each year.
  • The program would sunset December 31, 2031.

Reach out to us if you have questions or want to learn more about how to get involved in advocacy efforts.

2 > An effort to fund and support the statewide work of the Nebraska Main Street Network.

Currently the Nebraska Main Street Network is working on a shoestring budget to serve the 16 Main Street communities of Nebraska. Each of these communities are working hard in their respective communities but when they need help the Nebraska Main Street Network could and should be their go to resource. However with such limited budget the tools and resources needed to do the work of downtown community development is limited and sometimes unavailable.

The purpose of LB563 would be to allow History Nebraska, the state historical society, to leverage public funding support to maximize local investments into the Main Street program. Giving current communities more resources to call upon to further their efforts plus allow the program to serve additional communities across the state.

Here is a link with more information on the Nebraska Main Street Network and here is the link to LB563.

A special thank you to Senator Myron Dorn for introducing this legislation.

Reach out to us if you have questions or want to learn more about how to get involved in advocacy efforts.

Downtown Holiday Events

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What is happening downtown for the Holidays? Check here for events!

Link to our Downtown Holiday Guide Booklet

STOREFRONT DISPLAY CONTEST

Vote on your favorite store display inside participating businesses. For a list of participating businesses, see the below image or call Main Street Beatrice, 402-223-3244.

MAIN STREET RIDES WITH SANTA AND BEATRICE CHAMBER’S DOWNTOWN HOLIDAY LIGHTED PARADE

1:00 – 3:00 pm Main Street Beatrice Santa Comes to Downtown: Enjoy hot chocolate and visit the new Beatrice Fire Station open house, 300 South 6th Street! This event is free and open to the public. Sponsored by Main Street Beatrice, Beatrice Fire & Rescue, Beatrice Community Hospital, and Sunrise Bakery! *Please do not park in front of the station on 6th Street*  Enjoy the day’s activities and stay for the movie and parade! For more information, call Main Street at 402-223-3244.

5:30 pm – 2022 Holiday Lighted Parade: Beatrice Area Chamber of Commerce’s 8th Annual Holiday Lighted Parade. This parade takes place along 5th Street downtown. Festivities include a live nativity scene, live reindeer, free Polaroid pictures with Santa, a visit from Beatrice Bakery, hot chocolate stands, and more! Come early and stay late!  For more information, contact the Beatrice Chamber of Commerce at 402-223-2338 or visit www.beatricechamber.com.

The Grinch (2018) at Beatrice Movies

$1 Movies Special at Beatrice Movies! Watch “The Grinch” (2018): In this adaptation, a grumpy Grinch plots to ruin Christmas for the village of Whoville. Make it a special family movie day at Beatrice Movies! Enjoy the movie after the Rides with Santa and before the Holiday Lighted Parade! 615 Court Street. Kids watch free with $1 adult ticket! Show times at 2:15 pm and 3:45 pm.

Fantasy of Trees, December 1st – 27th: Be sure to stop in at Indian Creek Mall to view and vote on your favorite trees that have been decorated by community organizations and businesses. For more information, contact the Beatrice Area Chamber of Commerce,402-223-2338, or visit www.beatricechamber.com.

Holiday Lighted Tour & Contest, December 5th – 20th: Enjoy the holiday lights and displays with the annual Holiday Lighted Cruise of homes and businesses. To obtain a map and vote, visit the Beatrice Area Chamber on Facebook, call 402-223-2338, or visit www.beatricechamber.com. If you would like to register an address for the tour, please contact the Chamber, prizes will be awarded to the top displays. 

Winter Festival of Prairie Cultures Celebration, November 25th – December 21st: Go back in time this holiday season and see a beautiful tapestry of winter traditions of those who lived on the plains at the beginning of the Homestead Era. Homesteading brought a variety of cultural and ethnic traditions to the United States. Our Winter Festival remembers this rich heritage and celebrates the cultures of those who settled the Great Plains, as well as the rich culture that existed in the region prior to European settlement.  For more information, contact Homestead National Historical Park, 402-223-3514, 8523 NE-Hwy 4.

 Sunday, November 20th: Gage County Courthouse Lighting and Events

Stay tuned to local news outlets for event details.

Wednesday, November 25th: 

Blackout Wednesday activities at the Mechanical Room, 301 Court Street, downstairs, find them on Facebook for more details.

Friday, November 25th: Black Friday – Start of Buy Local Week! 

Come early, stay late, and take advantage of great deals in Beatrice as we officially kick off the holiday shopping season on Black Friday! For more information, contact the Beatrice Chamber of Commerce at 402-223-2338 or visit www.beatricechamber.com. Don’t forget – Buy Local, Buy Beatrice! 

Tuesday, November 29th:

Giving Tuesday – We have a day for giving thanks, and we have days for getting deals. Now we have a day for giving back; #GivingTuesday is a global day dedicated to giving back. Charities, families, businesses, community centers, and students around the world will come together for one common purpose; to celebrate generosity and to give. 

Friday, December 2nd: 

5:00 -8:00 pm – Beatrice Art Guild Show: Beatrice Art Guild member’s holiday show and sale. A special show of youth art from Deb Monfelt’s classes. Paintings, wood carvings, cards, ornaments, holiday decor, and more! Join us at 601 Court Street.
Also, Saturday, December 3rd, 10:00 am – 2:00 pm

Friday, December 9th: 

6:00 – 10:00 pm – Catch the Glow Fundraising Gala & Auction: The Beatrice Community Hospital Foundation holds THE annual fundraising event of the year, Catch the Glow at Classics Bar and Grill. This event, now in its 21st year, supports the operations of the Beatrice Community Hospital and healthcare in our community.  For more information, contact The Beatrice Community Hospital Foundation, 402-223-3078, https://thebchfoundation.org/

Friday, December 9th – Sunday December 18th

Enjoy live theater at Community Players! “A Christmas Story: the Musical” – In 1940s Indiana, there is no Christmas gift more sought after by a nine-year-old boy than a Red Ryder air rifle. Join Ralphie Parker and his disastrously dysfunctional family and friends as they sing and dance their way through this musical adaptation of the perennial holiday favorite.  Call 402-223-1801 for tickets. 

Saturday, December 10th: 

9:00 am-11:00 am – Breakfast with Santa at the Gage County Museum, 101 North 2nd Street.  Kids ages 0-12 are invited to participate; pre-registration is required by calling 402-228-1679.  Snacks are provided, with take-home crafts on sale for $2.00.

Saturday, December 10th and Saturday December 17th:

1:00 pm – 2:30 pm – Cookie Decorating with Mrs. Claus. Join Sifted Sweets to decorate cookies with Mrs. Clause. $35/child ages 6-10. Each child will take home 6 decorated cookies.
To sign up on the 10th click HERE!
To sign up on the 17th click HERE!

Sunday, December 25th – Merry Christmas!

Saturday, December 31st – New Year’s Eve:

Ring in the New Year in Beatrice!  Be sure to check out Beatrice’s restaurants and bars for New Year’s activities and special hours!

Happy Holidays from Main Street Beatrice!

Gift-A-Day Giveaway!

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Registration and Giveaway information here!

Gift-A-Day REGISTRATION Tuesday, November 1st – Sunday, November 27th: 

The Gift-A-Day Giveaway is back! Register at participating stores to win a $25.00 gift certificate, compliments of your favorite Main Street business. For a list of participating businesses, see the above image call 402-223-3244, or visit www.mainstreetbeatrice.org. 

Gift-A-Day GIVEAWAY Monday, December 5th – Tuesday, December 20th: 

Make sure to listen to KWBE every weekday to see if you have won a $25.00 gift certificate from partnering businesses!

Small Business Saturday

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Saturday, November 26th: 

Small Business Saturday – SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 26 – Join the national effort and support your local small businesses as you explore downtown, Beatrice! Check out what has changed downtown and check out the local shops and stops! For a list of participating businesses, see the above image, call Main Street at 402-223-3244, or visit www.mainstreetbeatrice.org

Open a Business

We have several resources to help you start or grow your business.

Building Improvement

We’re focused on the physical appearance of our Main Street.

Move to Beatrice

Look for jobs, check out our schools, churches, civic clubs, and more.

Become a Partner

We truly appreciate the support of our contributing partners.

Shop Main Street Beatrice

The casual encounters you enjoy at neighborhood-scale businesses and the public spaces around them, build relationships and community cohesiveness. Plus, each dollar you spend at independent businesses, brings more than 3 times as much money back to our local economy than one dollar spent at a chain.

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Main Street Beatrice
Michael Sothan, Executive Director
205 North 4th Street
Beatrice, NE 68310
(402) 223-3244
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