127 FCM COVER - Fox Cities Magazine

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She spent time brainstorming ways to get people in the doors, and came up with something the village prides itself on: history. Historic photos decorate the interior walls of the eatery and lounge, such as a 1931 photo of the Little Chute Flying Dutchman, a semi-pro football team, and other shots of historic basketball squads, St. John’s graduating classes, and buildings like Looks Hardware. Mueller plans to work with the Little Chute Historical Society and locals to fill the remaining walls with snapshots and memorabilia. “A local in her 60s saw her dad on the wall,” Mueller says. “She came back with her 90-year-old mom to share.” When the windmill opens, Mueller hopes The Flying Dutchman can provide school tours with an extra “stop” on their visit by welcoming students to see the collection. “I’m anxious for it,” she says. “The excitement will bring in new businesses downtown.” Just a few months after Mueller took over the restaurant, Seth Lenz, a 22-year-old Little Chute native, opened a coffee shop across the street, a new business of its kind downtown. The atmosphere at Seth’s Coffee and Bake Shop gives guests reason to linger. PICTURING MAIN STREET EXHIBIT See Little Chute today as villagers would have seen it 75 years ago. On March 23, the History Museum at the Castle is debuting its newest exhibit, drawing attention to the history of two things: America’s postcards and Fox Cities’ main streets. The museum will display its own collection of picture postcards with an early 20th century focus, while at the same time spotlight Appleton’s College Avenue, Neenah’s Wisconsin Avenue, and Menasha and Little Chute’s main streets, among others. These captivating downtown snapshots will spark memories in those who recall the glory days when Main Street was the business core and social hub. For those too young to recall these scenes, it may inspire a vision of what a downtown was, and what it can be. Over 100 years ago, the United States Postal Service deregulations permitted correspondence on the address side of a postcard. By 1914, picture postcards were sold in five-anddime stores Appleton’s College Avenue at Appleton Street looking east c.1920. throughout Courtesy of The History Museum, 1996.081.002 America. The craze for picture postcards meant that, for a penny, Americans could see and document main streets, back streets, churches, schools, resorts and scenery of their hometown. Scores of original postcards and a computer kiosk will allow visitors access to hundreds of postcards. The exhibit will run through December 30. For this reason, it was hard to convince the village and investors that his business was worth the storefront. But since opening last September, Seth’s Coffee and Bake Shop has received a warm welcome. From downtown professionals to high school students, Lenz serves an array of guests in his renovated space, furnished with a coffee bar, “living room” area and series of booths. He dreams that the windmill will pitch business opportunities to other people. “I hope [the bake shop] helps bring people to Little Chute and keep people here,” says Lenz. “But I also hope that the windmill will motivate people to take a risk, start a business here, and give people a reason to stay.” Lenz would like to see the village become a destination spot. “Someday, I think downtown Little Chute will be a place that someone can spend an entire afternoon,” shares Lenz. Setting an example for new businesses like Seth’s Coffee, Peggy Edmond’s King’s Variety Store has been part of downtown Little Chute for almost 60 years. Edmond grew up around the business while her family took care of it, but for the last 20 years she’s served as the owner. What seems ideal for a small downtown district, the dime store carries a variety of general merchandise, from candy to toys, and party essentials to school supplies. Most of all, the store carries camaraderie. March 2010 20
Peggy Edmond, owner of King’s Variety Store. King’s Variety Store has everything from candy to toys, and party essentials to school supplies “The great thing about being in a small community is working with your customers who eventually become your friends,” Edmond says of Little Chute. “I don’t think in bigger areas there’s that togetherness and closeness gained.” Over the last decade, Edmond has seen businesses come and go. “There has been a lot of growth in the last five years even,” she says. “I hope it continues to flourish like it has in the past.” Longtime Little Chute business owners like Edmond have been puzzled by the village’s difficulty to maintain storefronts downtown. They hope new arrivals like The Flying Dutchman and Seth’s Coffee and sturdy shops like Simple Simon’s Bakery and Vanderloop Shoes, Inc., continue to flourish and demonstrate economic opportunity of owning a business in a small community. Residents like Peter and Mary Arts, local business owners, and those driving through Little Chute are left dreaming of the windmill’s whooshing sails, sure to wave in neighbors from Kaukauna, Appleton and other cities far and wide. JERRY MURPHY CLU, ChFC Jerry Murphy & Associates • Retirement Income Planning • 401(K) Rollovers • Estate Planning • Charitable Giving • Annuities • Mutual Funds • Advisory Services • Fee-Based Planning • 529 Educational Planning 1047 NORTH LYNNDALE DR., SUITE 2B, APPLETON 920-739-5549 www.MurphyAdvisor.com Securities offered through LPL Financial. Member FINRA /SIPC. FOX CITIES Magazine 21
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127 FCM COVER - Fox Cities Magazine

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