Winners Selected for Downtown Lima Shopping Pass Contest

Lima, OH – Three lucky winners were chosen today as recipients of prizes from Downtown Lima retailers.  A group of downtown shops joined together to create the Holiday Shopping Pass, a shopping map that rewards downtown shopping with the chance to win prizes.

Carol Graham of Elida won The Relaxation Package, a large gift basket with TV and movie collectibles from Alter Ego Comics, gourmet coffee and tea from The Meeting Place on Market, and a $50 gift certificate from downtown gift shoppe, David’s Finery.

Becky Mack of Lima won The Looking Good Package, made up of a $50 gift certificate from jeweler Don Jenkins, a $50 gift certificate from ladies’ boutique, Nitza’s, and a $50 gift certificate from men’s clothing retailer, Hofeller, Hiatt and Clark.

Kathy May of Elida won The  Pampered Artist Package, containing a 72” Zeikos Pro tripod from Mack Camera, a $50 gift certificate for an art class from ArtSpace Lima, and a $50 gift certificate from décor and gift shoppe, Pears Avenue Boutique.

The Downtown Holiday Shopping Pass was a first for downtown merchants, and is one of many ways they plan to educate consumers on the rich shopping environment available in downtown Lima.  “The Downtown Lima Shopping Pass brought more new faces into the store than almost any other promotion that we’ve participated in since opening in 2005,” said Marc Bowker, owner of Alter Ego Comics on Main Street. “The contest was a great way to promote locally owned businesses and show that Downtown Lima is an exciting place to be.”

For more information on future contests and events, visit Downtown Lima on facebook at: http://www.facebook.com/downtownlima.

The Relaxation Package:

The Looking Good Package:

The Pampered Artist Package:

Downtown Lima Photo Competition Opening Night – September 29th!

Thursday, September 29^th, 5:30 – 8:30 pm.

The event will begin at 5:30 pm at the Veteran’s Memorial Civic Center with a short awards ceremony. Wine and light appetizers will also be served. Attendees will then be invited to browse the round-robin photo exhibit, located at various business in downtown Lima. Locations include the Civic Center, Alter Ego Comics, Nitza’s, David’s Finery, Don Jenkins, Mack Camera and The Meeting Place on Market. The Heart of Lima Neighborhood Association’s safety patrol will be on hand to guide attendees to the various locations. Appetizers and drinks will be served at various locations.

The event is free and open to the public. The photographs will also be on exhibit at all the various locations throughout the month of October. For more information, visit www.downtownlimaohio.com.

Major Sponsors:

July Photo Shoot Night Recap

The photo shoot night on July 14^th was a blast! We had a great group of 20-30 photographers and beautiful weather.

We started out at The Meeting Place on Market where we were welcomed and got our marching orders.

From there, we walked across the street to Trinity United Methodist. We spent about 15 minutes taking photos of the outside of the building. Then, Rev. Harris welcomed us personally as we explored the inside of the church. The lighting was gorgeous as the sun started to set through the stained glass windows.

After 20-30 minutes of shooting at the church, we meandered over to Memorial Hall. Civic Center employee Mike Bean opened the building up for us so we could enjoy the antique fixtures, the expansive rooms, and many photographic opportunities.

We ended the night with a closing Q&A on Memorial Hall’s steps, with professional photographer Jason Bower sharing his expertise and answering our questions.

Overall, a great night! Check out downtown Lima’s facebook site for photos from some of the participants: http://www.facebook.com/downtownlima.

We have one more photo shoot night on August 9^th. We’ll meet at 6 pm in front of Nitza’s. We have permission to explore the inside of the Met Block building, and may have another historic building to explore as well!

Photography Shoot Night Dates & Times

As part of our Downtown Lima “More Than You Know” Photography Competition, professional photographer Jason Bowers is leading a series of 3 free photography workshops over the summer.  Participants will be walking as a group through downtown Lima, taking photographs, and learning from an expert!

The workshops are not required to participate in the competition, but they offer anyone, regardless of skill level, training in photography techniques.  To join the workshops, no registration is required.  Just meet the group at the dates and times noted below:

Thursday, June 9th, 6 pm – meet at the Town Square in front of the Civic Center

Thursday, July 14th, 6 pm – meet at The Meeting Place on Market (220 West Market Street)

Tuesday, August 9th, 6 pm – meet at The Met Block (in front of Nitza’s), at 300 North Main Street

All workshops are free and open to the public.   Junior high age and older welcome!

About Jason Bowers:

“I graduated from Bowling Green State University in 1998 with a BS in Journalism and my concentration being Photojournalism. I worked as a photographer for several newspapers and transitioned into freelance work, discovering that I truly enjoyed working for myself. This education and real world experience eventually prepared me to develop my style of wedding photography in particular. In conjunction with the candid photojournalistic approach, I also try to incorporate some contemporary artistic elements as well. Over the years, because I’ve had opportunities to photograph so many interesting people, places, and events it’s hard for me to imagine doing anything else. I feel truly blessed to have the opportunity to do what I enjoy for a living.”

For more information about the photography competition, visit our blog.

Enjoy Shopping with These Downtown Lima Coupons & Events!

Several of the Downtown Lima businesses have joined together to create a Downtown Lima shopping and event flyer for March & April!  In the flyer, the following valuable coupons from downtown shops are included.

To use the coupons, download and print the attached flyer.

Nitza’s
Half Off All Jewelry!
300 N. Main Street, 419-227-3877
www.nitzasinlima.com  

The Meeting Place on Market
$1 Off a Mocha, Latte or Cappuccino!
220 W. Market Street, 419-222-0985
www.meetingplaceonmarket.com  

Sal’s Philly Steaks
10% Off Your Order!
312 N. Main Street, 419-225-7408
www.salsphillysteaks.com  

Alter Ego Comics
Buy volume 1 of select graphic
novels, get volume 2 FREE!
230 N. Main Street, 419-224-6700
www.alteregocomics.com  

Premier Decorating
Free 18 In Foil Balloon with $20 Purchase
116 N. West Street, 567-712-2030
www.premierdecoratingks.com  

Natural Vibez Boutique
Free Hair Flower with any Women’s Clothing Purchase!
106 E. Market Street, 419-221-1692
www.naturalvibez.net  

March & April 2010 Downtown Lima Events

Every Friday Night – Life Wine & Jazz, 5:30-8:30 pm, Civic Center City Club
Every Friday Night (except March 26) – Open Mike Night, 7-10 pm, The Meeting Place, FREE
Kewpee High School Art Invitational, through April 10, ArtSpace, FREE
Throughout March, John Rausch Art Exhibit at The Meeting Place, FREE
March 5-6, 7:30 pm, Pickle’s Blues Extravaganza, Allen County Memorial Hall
March 7, 3 pm, Zoomphony, Lima Symphony, at the Civic Center
March 12-14, 19-21, times vary, the Encore Theatre presents Bus Stop
March 13, 2 pm & 7:30 pm, Lima Bean Barbershop Chorus, at the Civic Center
March 13, noon, Lima Irish Parade, Town Square, FREE
March 21, 1 pm, Annual Cultural Appreciation Festival, at the Civic Center
March 26, 7 pm, McKenzie Anderson Concert, The Meeting Place, FREE
March 27, 8 pm, Ginuwine in Concert, at the Civic Center
March 27, 7 pm, Calvary Chapel of Praise Concert, The Meeting Place, FREE
March 28, noon – 6 pm, CIAO Pasta Dinner at the Civic Center
Throughout April, Herb Vonderau Art Exhibit at The Meeting Place, FREE
April 6, 7:30 pm, The Wizard of Oz at the Civic Center
April 7,8, 7 pm, Sesame Street Live at the Civic Center
April 14, 7:30 pm, Josh Turner at the Civic Center
April 17, 7 pm, A Special Night for Special People Concert, Jim Boedicker, The Meeting Place, FREE
May 1st, Free Comic Book Day! Alter Ego Comics, FREE