In the News

Follow-up: Ripon Main Street continues to raise money for Village Green

9/13/2024

Beautification efforts are ongoing at the Village Green, with Ripon Main Street seeking donations to help make them possible....Read Ripon Press Article

Bienvenidos Ripon! El Charro opens Sunday at old Miller’s Tavern site

8/11/2024

El Charro Mexican Grill is ready to open its doors at the old Miller’s Tavern building at 102 E. Fond du Lac St.....Read Ripon Press Article

Getting to Know: A Q&A with Backstage Studio’s new owner Emilee Wegner

7/11/2024

Backstage Studio has turned out dancers in Ripon for more than 45 years. Under new ownership, it hopes to continue that tradition for many more years to come....Read Ripon Press Article

Ryhan Boutique offers fashion forward for Ripon:

7/11/2024

The downtown Ripon fashion scene has a new addition with the opening of Ryhan Boutique....Read Ripon Press Article

Diedrich Jewelers expands into old Dear Prudence space:

5/22/2024

How do you keep a 100-year-old jewelry store relevant in today’s world? Diedrich Jewelers owner Shelly Kastenschmidt believes she has the answer. The business has expanded into the adjacent storefront....Read Ripon Press Article

Getting to Know: A Q&A with Sean Porter on his downtown Hidden Collectible shop:

5/1/2024

Ripon soon will have a new hidden gem offering all sorts of items that people collect, such as bobbleheads, collectible baseball or sports cards and other related items....Read Ripon Press Article

Heartwork Studios enables people to dabble with creative side:

4/11/2024

Heartwork Studios enables people to dabble with creative side....Read Ripon Press Article

Cheers! Knuth Brewing Co. moves into former American House building:

2/7/2024

Knuth Brewing Company expand into 230 Watson Street, adds expanded brewing area, event spacen and outdoor beer garden....Read Ripon Press Article

Getting to Know: A Q&A with new Pastimes Pub & Grille:

12/20/2023

Pastimes Pub & Grille reopens under a new ownership and management....Read Ripon Press Article

Hear here: Tailored Hearing Solutions opens in downtown Ripon:

11/1/2023

Tailored Hearing Solutions renovates 112 W. Jackson Street, openes its doors as the latest business in the downtown area and is dedicated to helping provide good hearing health for the community....Read Ripon Press Article

A Q&A with Ripon Blend Salon owner Shelbey Roeder:

11/15/2023

Blend Salon expands into 118 E. Jackson Street, wants to be the go-to destination for women who want to spoil themselves a little with pampering and some personal attention....Read Ripon Press Article

Getting to Know: A Q&A with RC Nutrition owner Jose Lopez on his new location in Ripon:

9/20/2023

A new business will open soon in Ripon, offering a healthy alternative to malts and shakes in the form of energy shakes, tea bombs and protein bowls for those who want to do better by their bodies....Read Ripon Press Article

Gettting to Know: A Q&A with the owner of downtown Ripon’s newest store — Sassy’s Pops A Lot

9/13/2023

Sassy’s Pops A Lot offers personalized gift baskets, candy, popcorn and gifts....Read Ripon Press Article

Getting to Know: A Q&A with Botanica Naturals owner Denise Lynn on her downtown shop

8/30/2023

Botanica Naturals, located at 202 Watson Street, offers relaxing facials and skin care consultation....Read Ripon Press Article

J’s BBQ will reopen its doors after closing last December

8/23/2023

J’s BBQ is set to rejoin other restaurants on Watson Street with a reopening in mid-September, according to owners Jen Rintelmann and Susan Reiterman. Public demand and expanding opportunities have combined to enable for a rebirth of the popular barbecue spot....Read Ripon Press Article

Getting to Know: A Q&A with two of the new owners of Gents in downtown Ripon

10/22/2022

A familiar face in Ripon, Dan Gutierrez (formerly of Back Porch Gatherings) and Elizabeth Napier have opened one of the newest shops in town: Gents....Read Ripon Press Article

Better Homes and Gardens Special Properties to open office in downtown Ripon

8/18/2022

Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate Special Properties closed on the purchase of 110 Blackburn St. last month and announced that it would be opening an office in historic downtown Ripon....Read Ripon Press Article

Skin & Out Facial Bar comes to Ripon

5/20/2022

Skin & Out owner and skin-care therapist Carley Harmon recently moved her business from Columbus, Wis., to 129 E. Jackson Street in downtown Ripon....Read Ripon Press Article

FAQ: What is the Patina Vie Sipping Room in downtown Ripon?

6/21/2022

Patina Vie recently completed a several-months long process of expanding into the adjacent storefront. The new “Sipping Room” offers customers a chance to sip on an assortment of wines, local brews, lemonade, and specialty sodas while they shop....Read Ripon Press Article

‘Ripon is where it’s really happening for me’: Hamilton’s, other businesses relocating to downtown Ripon

2/2/2022

Hamilton’s Ladies Apparel recently consolidated its Berlin location into a new downtown Ripon store located at 125 Watson Street....Read Ripon Press Article

Chic Tique celebrates half a year on Watson Street

8/2/2021

After opening a storefront on the 200 block of Watson Street around the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, business has remained strong more than six months later at Chic Tique Girls....Read Ripon Press Article

Getting to Know: A Q&A with Ripon’s new downtown business owner Kelly O’Brien of Soul Patina

6/9/2021

Owned by Kelly O’Brien of Fond du Lac, Soul Patina offers an array of home goods. O’Brien was motivated to open a downtown storefront after seeing Ripon’s revitalization.....Read Ripon Press Article

Fiddler Creek helps clients decorate their homes

8/12/2020

Audra Vande Zande of Waupun opens home furnishings boutique after 10 year career doing furniture refinishing, small remodeling projects, in-home styling, painting and general contracting....Read Ripon Press Article

‘Boutique for less’ joins downtown Ripon

7/1/2020

Brenda Sobiesczyk moves Deja Vu Boutique & Home from Berlin to 323 Watson Street in downtown Ripon....Read Ripon Press Article

Mapes set to become retail, Airbnb units:

7/3/2019

After years of neglect by former property owners, Mapes House located at 300 Watson Street being renovated by Rogers family....Read Ripon Press Article

American Alchemy enjoys its new, spacious location:

7/3/2019

Downtown entrepreneur Adrienne Rank expands apparel & accessory business into 305 Watson Street...Read Ripon Press Article

J’s BBQ will expand to ‘Other Side’ with bar, small plates:

6/26/2019

Visit J’s BBQ in downtown Ripon, and it’s not unusual to find it packed at peak meal times. So when the space next door to the restaurant at 333 Watson St. opened up, Rintelmann and Susan Reiterman leapt at the chance to use it...Read Ripon Press Article

New ice cream parlor opens in downtown Ripon:

6/19/2019

Renee & Tim Saul open Sweet n’ Saulty Ice Cream Parlor at 227 Watson Street...Read Ripon Press Article

Cabinets, countertops & more available at new downtown shop:

5/8/2019

Jennifer Harmsen open Modernista Cabinetry & Design Co. at 105 Watson Street in downtown Ripon, where she offers cabinetry, countertops and more....Read Ripon Press Article

Downtown Ripon Redevelopment Opportunity RFP:

10/11/2018

The City of Ripon is soliciting proposals to redevelop sections of the 200 & 300 blocks of Watson Street located in the Downtown Ripon Historic District. Proposals may incorporate any combination of parcels identified in the site list. Proposals can include commercial, residential, or a mix of both. Creative ideas are encouraged, but they should complement the historic nature of downtown Ripon and reflect the architectural standards outlined in the Downtown Ripon Design Manual. Please download the RFP for details....(Downtown Ripon Redevelopment Opportunity RFP)

National brand, local company opening Ripon shop:

7/5/2018

Home decor designer opens Patina Vie store in downtown Ripon...Read Ripon Press Article

New Thrivent office opens in downtown Ripon today:

8/1/2018

Financial-services firm Thrivent Financial opens office in downtown Ripon...Read Ripon Press Article

Main Street generates new downtown beautification plan:

5/2/2018

Consultants Jay Schlinsog of Downtown Professionals Network and Michael Schroeder of Schroeder Designs help business and property owners identify and prioritize short-term and long-term streetscape improvements for downtown Ripon....(Downtown Ripon Streetscape Plan)

New business hopes to ‘Revive’ customers downtown:

9/27/2017

Ripon’s new salon offers hair and nail services...Read Ripon Press Article

Yoga studio reopens downtown as Lotus Root Yoga:

9/28/2016 9:58:00 AM

Ripon’s newest downtown yoga studio feels a lot like the previous studio...Read Ripon Press Article

Bookstore, BBQ joint heading downtown:

9/28/2016 1:15:00 PM

Ripon College is moving its bookstore into part of the space recently vacated by Gallagher’s Restaurant...Read Ripon Press Article

Main Street generates vision for downtown Ripon

Ripon Main Street, in conjunction with representatives from the Wisconsin Economic Development Corp. (WEDC), conducted consecutive Vision Planning Exercises in 2015 and 2016 as part of its strategic planning process. Community input helped determine goals and objectives, and identified priority projects for future planning efforts. The documents are linked below.

2016 Downtown Ripon Vision Planning Process:
(2016 Vision Planning Results)

2015 Downtown Ripon Vision Planning Process:
(2015 Vision Planning Results)

City grants loan as Ernessi Organics grows downtown:

8/17/2016 10:39:00 AM

A downtown grower of hydroponic edibles received a financial boost to provide capital for his growing business...Read Ripon Press Article

A new brew: Knuth expands its production capacity:

8/3/2016 10:46:00 AM

Knuth Brewing Company is ready to take a big step forward for its brewing capabilities...Read Ripon Press Article

Local couple brings homegrown business downtown:

7/20/2016 10:33:00 AM

When Blue Design Co. opens its doors Tuesday, July 26 at 202 Watson St., it will represent a huge leap forward for the homegrown enterprise...Read Ripon Press Article

From memory to museum: Local group considering creating National Cookie Museum:

A Ripon man works with Main Street to not only reopen a cookie store in town, but pair it with a museum and beyond...Read Ripon Press Article

Entrepreneur program spawns several shops:

Four entrepreneurs announced plans to transition their ideas from their dens to downtown Ripon and beyond...Read Ripon Press Article

It begins: Local group acquires many Boca buildings for redevelopment:

A Ripon family believes it’s ready to do, right away, what Boca Grande Capital could not over the past nine years...Read Ripon Press Article

Work underway at former Suds, aka Timmon's, aka Flat Top's:

Renovation begins on historic corner building located at 123 Watson Street in downtown Ripon...Read Ripon Press Article

Find more all year through at Dig Garden Store:

Yvonne Baumgartner brings Dig Garden Store to 218 Watson Street, which features décor for the home, DIY classes pertaining to container gardening, and unique plants for indoors or out…Read Ripon Press Article

Boca buildings moving closer to sale:

For Riponites, this may be the strongest signal to date that a dozen properties near Ripon’s main street may be about to be sold…Read Ripon Press Article

Main Street urges city to support Rogers:

Owners of downtown Ripon buildings and businesses — as well as Ripon Main Street’s board of directors — are encouraging city leaders to support a local group’s efforts to buy about a dozen properties from Boca Grande Capital LLC.…Read Ripon Press Article

Main Street Shares Survey Results, Schedules Visioning Workshop

This past June, Ripon Main Street conducted a visioning survey and asked the public for input to help determine business trends and identify the most important needs of the downtown. The survey was available online and in hard copy format for a period of five weeks. During this time, 123 individuals provided feedback on the current state of downtown, the performance of various aspects of the downtown environment, and ideas for future revitalization projects or initiatives that will help move the district forward as a vibrant commercial environment. Click the link to download the complete results of the 2015 Downtown Ripon Visioning Survey (Vision Survey Results)

To capitalize on the recent findings, Ripon Main Street, Inc., in partnership with Wisconsin Main Street and the Wisconsin Economic Development Corp. (WEDC), will conduct a Vision Planning Workshop on Wednesday, October 7th.  The activity will take place from 6:00 to 9:00 pm at Gallagher’s Restaurant located at 333 Watson Street in downtown Ripon.

Those interested in participating in the Vision Planning exercise are encouraged to call the Ripon Main Street office at (920) 748-7466 or join the event on the Ripon Main Street Facebook page linked below.

RSVP for Downtown Ripon Vision Planning Workshop:
www.facebook.com/events/1644631062472018/

Downtown seeks input for Visioning Survey

Ripon Main Street is conducting 2015 Downtown Ripon Visioning Survey as part of a strategic planning process. Community input is needed to help determine goals and objectives for the future of downtown Ripon, and to identify priority projects that will be the focus of future planning efforts. The survey results will be analyzed and incorporated as guiding elements of the downtown revitalization process. The survey can be accessed via the link provided below. Information and updates regarding the survey process will be listed on the Ripon, Wisconsin Facebook page.

2015 Downtown Ripon Visioning Survey: http://survey.clicktools.com/go?iv=feeifx9oeeg

From Bruce to Brews: Downtown favorite stirs old with new:

“Knuth Brewing Company Food and Brew will offer something no one else in Ripon can boast: its own, home-brewed beers…Read Ripon Press Article

Women, need something new? Go see 'Prudence'

Dear Prudence, a women’s clothing, accessories and jewelry store, will open at 210 Watson Street on April 15, 2015…Read Ripon Press Article

Downtown mainstay Fat Bruce's will be sold:

Deli remains, micro-beer will be new...Ripon residents David and Marie Knuth are set to assume ownership of the 8-year-old Watson Street business Tuesday, March 17, 2015…Read Ripon Press Article

Meet the new owners of Mugs Coffee House:

Matt and Amy Holley reopened the local coffee shop and hangout last week Monday, bringing back many of the long-time favorite features of Mugs, while adding a few new twists…Read Ripon Press Article

A growing business:

New Ripon business supplies 'microgreens' grown hydroponically to stores, restaurants…Read Ripon Press Article

Markesan photo studio relocates to downtown Ripon

Quade is bringing her five-year-old photography business, Moments to Memories Photography, from Markesan to downtown Ripon…Read Ripon Press Article

Shop aims to offer customers a homey feel for less

Located at 211 Watson St. Back Porch Gatherings and Walter J’s aims to enable customers to create happy memories…Read Ripon Press Article

First peek inside the new Jefferson Street Apartments

New apartment and townhouse building being constructed in downtown Ripon are nearing completion…Read Ripon Press Article

Downtown Apartments Ready to Build

A hybrid townhouses/apartment development is ready to move forward…Read Ripon Press Article