To help increase foot traffic and sales to downtown businesses during the tough economic times, the Downtown Merchants Association and the Downtown Development Authority have partnered to give all Downtown Businesses within the DDA district a great advertising opportunity for your business.  The opportunity, a coupon book, similar to those used in Downtown Kalamazoo, will feature a coupon from all participating businesses. 

The OPPORTUNITY:

·      All participating businesses will have a coupon in the book

·      Coupon books will be mailed to all addresses in the 49010 district - Distribution date to be determined.

·      Proven effective means of advertising specifically targeting the local geographic target

·      Affordable and economic rate of $25 per business - additional coupon pages $25 each

These days we hear so much about green technologies, agri-tourism, and organic foods.  Many of which are happening right here in Allegan, right in your backyard. 

Every Thursday local farmers with locally grown produce, yes locally grown, travel to Downtown Allegan to offer you fresh, crisp produce and baked goods and hardy, healthy, vibrant plants and herbs.  Freshness brought directly to you, how convenient is that? 

The benefits of shopping at a farmers market are immense for everyone involved. 

Freshness and quality ::  Often harvested just hours before the grower leaves home, this freshness is evident in appearance, flavor and nutrient content.

Variety :: Available are a wide variety of produce, herbs, fresh flowers and organically grown crops.

Availability :: Farmers' market produce is often available sooner than that from home gardens due to practices used by professionals that lead to early maturity.

Price :: With no "middleman" the price is often less than retail outlets, and prices for "seconds" can be negotiated.

Place for the community :: Meet new friends and socialize with old acquaintances while you experience the market.

Local benefit :: Dollars are kept in the local community and you support smaller, less commercialized farmers and producers.

Nothing beats Michigan strawberries in May or biting into a juicy Honeycrisp apple in September, visit the Allegan Farmers Market every Thursday May through October.

"My family has been doing business in Allegan for a few years shy of a century," said Wedge, "I wanted to start another business in this town that has been so important to my family." 

Because of the geographic location of Allegan directly in the middle of Holland, Grand Rapids and Kalamazoo, a store in Allegan allows for MAN IN A BOX to service a wide area of customers.

MAN IN A BOX offers many of the same services as many other computer service businesses and generally charges significantly less money per hour for service.  Plus, all staff at MAN IN A BOX are Microsoft Certified, even his secretary.    

Whether you are looking to design a website, rid your computer of unwanted files and viruses, or can't quite figure out how to get emails, MAN IN A BOX can answer all of your questions.  Please visit, www.manintheboxit.com, to view a list of all of the services offered.

So next time your computer crashes, give MAN IN A BOX a call at 269.673.1600 or stop in to see them at 221 Trowbridge in Allegan next to The Regent Theatre.

The premier talent show event, Allegan's Got Talent, will feature 21 acts all competing to be named Allegan's Most Talented on the Griswold's Stage.  Allegan's Got Talent is scheduled for 7:00 pm April 25 at The Griswold Auditorium, 401 Hubbard Street in Downtown Allegan.

After a two night audition process, judges were able to select 21 performers based on four categories, dance, vocal, musicians and creative performers.  The overall winner will receive a $500 savings bond while category and age group winners will also be announced.  Also, the audience has the opportunity to participate by voting for the audience favorite.

The following are contestants in Allegan's Got Talent: Madison Bystry and Chelsea Lopez, Carrie Campbell, Olivia Campbell, Rebecca Dangremond, Casey Emmons, Andrew Harry, Ashley Greenbey, Alyssa Hopkins, Bridget Hopkins and Emma Sullivan, Kelsi Kaylor, Harmony Kelly, Abigail Knuckles, Elicia Knuckles, Christi "Faith" MacDonald, Nicole Miller, Mindy Phillips, Matthew Quintero, Daisy Radke, Jacob Stannish, Mackenzie Sturman and Thomas Timmerman.

"Because of the diversity in age and performance categories, the show will be a good one," said Dean Michaels, Allegan's Got Talent judge. 

Tickets for Allegan's Got Talent are available during business hours at The Griswold Auditorium.  Tickets are $7 for adults and $5 for K-12 students and seniors and can be purchased with cash or check.  Doors will open at 6:30 pm for general admission seating.

All are encouraged to attend Allegan's Got Talent and help support local arts in the community.  Proceeds from the event will benefit the Marilla Griswold Endowment Fund.

For more information, please contact Trisha Henderson at 269.673.3456 or griswoldauditorium@charter.net.

All are encouraged to attend the Riverfront Art Fair in Downtown Allegan on May 17^th.  The art fair is located at Riverfront Plaza and is scheduled for 9:00 am - 2:30 pm.

Shop at arts and crafts vendors, enjoy live entertainment at the gazebos, experience live skateboarding demonstrations and visit the book sale at the Allegan Public Library.  The event includes fun for the entire family and unique art of all types.

The Riverfront Art Fair is sponsored by Allegan Alternative High School, City of Allegan Downtown Development Authority, Allegan Area Chamber of Commerce and Allegan Area Arts Council. 

For more information about the event, please contact Mark Horn at 269.673.5433 or mhorn@alleganps.org.