Downtown Wausau Doing Better than Ever

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Updated: 6:40 PM Aug 18, 2010 Downtown Wausau Doing Better than Ever For years, Wausau city leaders have been trying to provide a vibrant downtown area. And with retail growth in 2010 it seems their efforts are finally paying off. Posted: 5:43 PM Aug 18, 2010 Reporter: Casey O'Halloran Email Address: Casey.OHalloran@wsaw.com

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Many love walking around downtown areas like Madison and Chicago...but Wausau city leaders want you to be able to get your fix right here.

The city's downtown area is doing better than ever. Leaders say they've seen more growth this year, than in the last few decades.

It seems residents are craving a downtown atmosphere with shops, restaurants, and galleries.

In fact, there are only a couple vacant storefront in the entire downtown block. This is a big difference from just a few years ago.

"There were so many open areas and open businesses and people would comment on it all the time," says Clay Corner Studio owner Martina Strehlow. "But now it has slowly filled back up and many places have come in."

The extra foot traffic downtown has only meant good things for Clay Corner Studio. Their business is booming so much that they had to move next-door to a bigger location.

The owner told me their studio's location just may be the key to their success. Clay Corner's old location was quickly grabbed by another local business. Sweet Lola's Cupcakery and Bake Shop is set to open in September.

Many of the downtown retailers are local businesses. But city leaders think their one national retailer, Coldwater Creek, might prompt other national chains to set up shop here too.

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