Shop Dine & Stay in Madison Indiana

New French bistro on Main Street

2009-08-13T11:44:00.002-04:00

Chez Danielle is the new French eatery at 229 E. Main Street. If you've had a chance to eat there, please post a short review!

Sidewalk sales are July 23, 24 & 25

2009-07-22T20:58:00.003-04:00

Bargain hunters, be on the alert!

Many of Madison's downtown merchants will take part in the Summer Sidewalk Sale on Thursday, July 23; Friday, July 24; and Saturday, July 25.

This is a long-standing Madison tradition, where stores move what remains of their spring and summer merchandise so they can get ready for fall.

Stores that I know will be participating: Fine Threads, Little People Boutique, John Knoebel & Sons, MadMerc Cafe, Madison Fudge Factory, Wanda's Gifts, Hertz's Shoes, Odis & Emil, Joan's, Greves TV & Appliance Home Center and The Floating Cow.

You'll probably see lots of other stores with bargains along your route.

Enjoy Madison ... on a Monday

2009-07-20T20:33:00.003-04:00

I was recently presented a challenge, "What is there for a visitor to enjoy in Madison on a Monday evening?"

This gave me pause, because for some Madison retailers Monday is a day of rest after a busy weekend. Some restaurants close on a traditionally "slow" evening. A few shops close for the entire day.

Camera in hand, I took up the challenge however. Lo and behold! I was pleasantly surprised when I walked downtown Madison between 5 and 6 p.m. on a Monday evening in July.

Across from the Courthouse, the bright orange open flag was flying at the Artisan's Gallery. In the block of Main Street just west of the Courthouse, diners were arriving at Bistro One, one of Madison's finest dining restaurants. Subway offered sandwiches. Two nightspots, Joeyg's and the Electric Lady, were open for dinner and drinks. Main Street Antique Mall was open for business. Cigar afficianados could get their fix at Churchill Cigars. Odis & Emil had its inventory of unfinished furniture overflowing onto the sidewalk. That block will soon welcome a new eatery, Chez Danielle French Bistro.

One block further west, shoppers could peruse Whimsy, Crawdaddy Music, East Industries' screenprint shop, Madison Music Center and the Village Lights Bookstore. Diners could choose between the soups, salads and sandwiches at The Downtowner or Asian fare in Hong Kong Kitchen. Next to the Ohio Theatre, there was a cluster of three stores open into the evening: Sugar Creek Collectibles, The Floating Cow gift store and the Blue Cerebus, a boutique for dog-lovers.

In the first block west of West Street, the block in which City Hall is located, you could opt for ice cream at the Madison Creamery or beverages at Madison Coffee & Tea. The fragrance of frying onions wafted from the famous Hinkle's Hamburgers, and the burgers are fabulous at Shipley's Tavern, nearby at 322 West St. At Madison Mercantile you could either browse for a fine wedding gift or order a meal from the "Mad Merc Cafe." Medical personnel getting off their shifts could replenish their wardrobes at Jo's Scrub.

Elsewhere in town, you can get a fine meal at the Historic Broadway Hotel & Tavern, the Madison Lighthouse or Cafe Dofi.

Conclusion: Life in Madison goes on after 5 p.m., even if it's Monday!

Autumn is beautiful in Madison

2008-11-03T12:53:00.004-05:00

Autumn is beautiful in Madison, Indiana!

At the Chamber of Commerce, we are getting ready for the Business Expo and Small Business Dinner on Thursday, Nov. 20. We hold this gala event at Clifty Inn, Clifty Falls State Park, and there's no finer place to be in November. For information go to the Chamber website.

Retailers are creating their holiday decor and stocking the shelves for the opening night of the holiday shopping season -- Friday, Nov. 14. Many stores will be open until 9 p.m. for the MBPA Holiday Open House. The Madison Main Street Program "Art Jam," with live music and fine arts displays, will also be that evening.

It's also time to get your ticket for Madison's Night Before Christmas Candlelight Tour of Homes, held the two weekends after Thanksgiving. Advance sale tickets save you a lot, but they're only available through Nov. 14. See details at the event website.

Autumn color is at its height right now. It's a great week to get photos for RoundAbout Madison's Bicentennial Photography Contest. The deadline for entries is Dec. 31. Information and an entry form are available at www.RoundAboutMadison.com.

Digital Dreams

2008-11-03T10:34:00.002-05:00

Madison people never need much of an excuse to have a party. This Friday, the reason for the live music outside on Main Street will be the grand opening of Stephan DeLorenzo's new business, Digital Dreams Inc.

One of Madison's youngest entrepreneurs, Stephan has located his video-to-DVD transfer business on the second floor of 205 W. Main Street. The band will be playing at sidewalk level from 4 to 6 p.m.. The Chamber of Commerce will assist Stephan with his ribbon-cutting at 5 p.m.

If you're going to be downtown -- or just need an excuse to come downtown -- we'll see you at Stephan's place on Friday, Nov. 7.

Madison Coffee & Tea open again!

2008-07-16T13:36:00.003-04:00

Good news! The coffee is brewing again at Madison Coffee & Tea, at the corner of Main and West streets. We've found it a great place to meet friends or hold a quick committee meeting. And the Cafe Mocha, with whipped cream of course, can't be beat!

Trail-blazing dining

2008-07-11T14:21:00.002-04:00

Did you know that Madison is now part of a "Culinary Trail"? The foodies at the Indiana Foodways Alliance noticed that this part of Indiana has a concentration of fabulous, one-of-a-kind restaurants, cafes and wineries, and they are trying to tell the world about it.

You can read all about the "Scenic By-ways Culinary Trail" at their website, www.IndianaFoodWays.com.

Among the foods these folks discovered in Madison:

Flaming saganaki at Bistro One
Yummy Hot Brown at The Downtowner
Never-fail house specialty coconut shrimp at Key West Shrimp House
Fresh deli menu at The Red Pepper
Four-gavel hamburger at Shipley's Tavern
Dutch apple pie with caramel icing at The Attic and Coffee Mill CafeDelectable hand-made truffles at Cocoa Safari

They also blazed a trail to Madison's three - count them, three -- wineries: Thomas Family Winery and Lanthier Winery downtown, and the area's own estate winery, Madison Vineyards.

These folks love food and wine! I was fascinated to read what they said about Madison's unique businesses. It could inspire you to blaze your own culinary trail through Jefferson County.

We love those "OPEN" flags!

2008-07-03T09:47:00.003-04:00

Madison's Main Street is alive with visitors. "What's going on?" deadpanned one of our long-time merchants.

It's Regatta Week, of course!

Much as we love hydroplane racing, we have to admit that no one can be on the river 24/7. There's a lot of spillover.

That's why it's so important that downtown stores keep their "OPEN" signs flying throughout the holiday weekend. And more and more of them are doing so. We talked to a couple of them this week -- Joan's, a delightful home decor shop at 131 E. Main St., and Fine Threads/Little People Boutique, a women's and children's clothing store at 232 E. Main St. They stay open EVERY weekend because they know that's when people have the time and inclination to shop.

Shopping IS a recreational activity!

Marci Jones at the Visitors Center (also open all weekend!) is keeping track of which stores are open. If you want to give her a call, it's 800-559-2956.

Or just look for the colorful "OPEN" flags. They are reassuring us that Madison is "open for business."

2008-06-20T11:09:00.002-04:00

When I returned to Madison after 40 years away, I knew I had come home. Although there were changes in buildings and people, it still had the "somewhere in time" aire. The local people were warm and accepting. There does not seem to be a stranger in Madison, whether they be a resident or a tourist. Smiles greet smiles as different cultures pass on the street. Having lived in many wonderful places, my choice will always be Madison, IN.

Our new home design district?

2008-06-12T15:17:00.004-04:00

Isn't it wonderful when the plans and dreams of many individuals come together to create a harmonious whole?

That seems to be what's happening in the 200-400 block of West Main Street with such stores as Madison Mercantile, 220 W. Main St., Artful Living, 313 W. Main St., and Blue Cerebus, 318 W. Main St. offering tasteful items of home decor. All are locally owned stores, unique to Madison.

I recently noticed a new sign in the vicinity: Sticks Interior Decoration, at 411 W. Main St. The card on the door says proprietor Steven Joslin hopes to open during summer 2008. If you'd like to receive a launch announcement, you can go to the website at www.sticksliving.com

A short move, but a big step for Security Insurance

2008-06-05T10:04:00.002-04:00

I love it when people invest money in Madison, because they're investing in our community's continued viability. That's why I enjoy ribbon cuttings. After the investment is made and the dust has settled, it's great to celebrate that improvement before business resumes.

On Tuesday, we celebrated with the folks from Security Insurance Agency, who have moved into a lovely suite of offices in Village Square Shopping Center, 200 Clifty Drive. The smell of fresh paint lingered under the fragrance of the home-grown flowers on the front counter.

The smiling faces in the picture tell the story. In the photo are, from left: Jennifer Scudder, Madison Clerk-Treasurer Dave Adams, Agent Dan Turner, Anna Turner, Chamber Executive Vice President Galen Bremmer, Agent Diana Smith, Agent Joni Lanham, AutoOwners Insurance representative Dave Hopkins (behind Joni), Agent Brent Turner, and Chamber Ambassadors Martha Ray, Tasha Jenkins and Corey Moderau.

And it's back to business. Look for an announcement soon that Security Insurance is now writing AutoOwners policies. That's good news for our Chamber members, because Chamber members get substantial discounts on their AutoOwners business insurance policies.

How do we welcome new residents?

2008-05-29T11:38:00.003-04:00

In the Madison area, we work hard every day to welcome our visitors and guests. Maybe you have your own story about Madison area hospitality to share.

Madison is also the only community I know that sets aside a whole day just to welcome its new residents and new college students. This year, that day will be Saturday, Sept. 6. The event is called "Community Welcome Day" and this year it will be held in shady Lytle Park, at the corner of West and Third streets. The hours are noon to 4 p.m.

Hanover College and Ivy Tech Community College both help organize this day, along with the City of Madison and other volunteers.

You can expect music, booths, food, even some 15-minute plays by Hanover College's Independent Theatre Company. Most of the community groups in town set up booths with giveaways and information about their organizations, so you can get involved. Many businesses take part too, adding to the festive atmosphere.

The festival will be located very close to the heart of Madison's downtown commercial district, in the hope that folks will take the opportunity to stroll to their favorite restaurants and businesses too.

Be sure to put Sept 6 on your calendar. We'll see you there!

By the way, if you are a new or prospective resident, you can request a relocation packet from the Madison Area Chamber of Commerce. Call (812) 265-3135, Ext. 221, or go to our website, http://www.madisonchamber.org.

Enjoy the weekend!

2008-05-23T16:03:00.003-04:00

I just cruised Main Street and noticed the rainbow-colored "OPEN" signs at dozens of shops. Everyone is anticipating a big Memorial Day weekend.

Canopies are up all around the Courthouse as the vendors gather for Old Court Days. I'm looking forward to seeing what kind of art & collectibles will be offered this year -- there's always something new. The booths are open from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. today, Saturday and Sunday. You can browse freely; there's no admission charge.

Be sure to walk down Main Street to visit the permanent merchants as well. You'll be pleased with the variety of stores ... not to mention the large number of restaurants, coffee shops and wineries we have to choose from in Madison these days.

The Delta Queen will be docked in Madison from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Monday. Take this opportunity to see the stately lady. It may be her last year steaming the Ohio. If you feel as badly about that as I do, be sure to be at the riverfront at noon Monday for the Delta Queen support rally.

I hope you'll have a chance to enjoy the ambience of Madison this weekend!