Racine & Me: New Businesses Open in Downtown Racine and more!

RACINE, WI (CBS 58) -- Kelly Kruse is the Executive Director of Downtown Racine Corporation. 

Kruse joined us in studio to talk about Nominations for Downtown Achievement Awards and new businesses opening in 2025 in downtown.

The Downtown Racine Corporation is thrilled to announce the commencement of nominations for the highly anticipated 2025 Achievement Awards. This is your chance to shine a spotlight on the individuals, businesses, or organizations that have played a pivotal role in boosting the energy and vibrancy of downtown Racine over the past year.

Nominations are now being welcomed across various categories:

Downtown Showcase Award: Celebrating an exhilarating event, person, or organization that has not only attracted visitors and residents but has also significantly contributed to transforming downtown into a lively, dynamic, and happening hub.

Corporate Citizenship Award: Recognizing an outstanding individual who has been a driving force in the improvement of downtown. This individual has selflessly served the downtown community and tirelessly worked to promote its growth.

Best New Small Business Award: Highlighting a new retail shop, gallery, or restaurant that has captivated the marketplace's attention and played a crucial role in enhancing the overall downtown experience.

Downtown Champion Award: Honoring a business or organization that exemplifies ultimate citizenship, supporting downtown through employment, facilities, and sponsorship, truly becoming the backbone of our community.

CPR Award: Acknowledging the redevelopment of a downtown building or property that has significantly contributed to enhancing the overall downtown neighborhood, breathing new life into the area.

6th Street Standout: Acknowledging a business on 6th Street that has been a pinnacle of growth and development.

Decades of Dedication: Celebrating a business or individual whose lasting contributions have shaped the fabric of our downtown for over a decade. This honoree exemplifies the DRC's mission by driving economic vitality and helping downtown thrive as the heart of our community.

Kelly Kruse, the Executive Director of the DRC, emphasizes, "A thriving downtown doesn't happen by accident. It takes vision, partnership, and commitment. These awards are an opportunity for the DRC to honor the people and businesses that have that passion for our downtown."

Austin Schultz, DRC Board Chairman, adds, "Our downtown is the true heart and economic engine for our community. We have been inspired by what our businesses and residents have accomplished during the year. It is our honor to award those who have inspired us to keep striving for excellence and perseverance."

Nominate the deserving candidates now by emailing why they merit the award to [email protected]. Nominations are due by December 29, 2025.

The announcement of the winners will be at the Downtown Racine Corporation's State of the Downtown and Achievement Awards in January at The Red Onion (555 Main St.). Stay tuned for date and details.

Let's celebrate the spirit of downtown Racine and the extraordinary individuals and businesses that make it thrive!

The 2024 Achievement Award winners were:

Downtown Showcase Award: 5K Events and Festival Park

Corporate Citizenship Award: Bruce Pepich

Best New Small Business Award: George’s Encore

Downtown Champion Award: Megan Petersen

CPR Award: Breakwater 233

6th Street Standout: Over Our Head Players

Decades of Dedication: Dimple Navratil

DOWNTOWN RACINE CORPORATION: Downtown Racine Corporation, a non-profit whose mission is to foster economic, social, and cultural diversity by stimulating business development, programming events, and marketing downtown to the community, developers, and tourists.