The Times - Serving Waitsburg, Dayton and the Touchet Valley

DAYTON-The Dayton Chamber of Commerce, the Dayton Development Task Force, local organizations and Main Street businesses kicking off a program to beautify Dayton's Main Street.

The Adopt-A-Storefront Program began as one woman's brain child.

Former 4-H Program Coordinator Lorna Barth said she wanted 4-H clubs to be able to show off what they do and bring some attention to 4-H programs.

"Earlier this year I was looking for ways to allow clubs in Columbia County to celebrate the 100th year of 4-H in the county as we prepare for our culminating event at the fair," Barth said.

Barth looked at vacant buildings in town and wondered if they could be used by the clubs to showcase what they do.

"Driving into town one day I saw a section of highway that is adopted by a group, and thought, "Why can't we adopt a storefront – just the front of it – like groups adopt the highway? They keep it tidy by picking up the trash along the road. They don't have to own it, or paint the stripes, or maintain it –just keep it looking nice," she said.

In January Barth visited the Blue Mountain Realty office to ask how the 4-H Clubs could have access to the vacant buildings for their displays and to discuss legalities.

Barth said they were excited about the project and guided her to the Chamber of Commerce and Port of Columbia.

"This is where the fun began," Barth said.

Port of Columbia Economic Development Coordinator Kathryn Witherington showed Barth how her simple idea could morph into something bigger than just 4-H.

Barth visited with Melissa Bryan at the Dayton Chamber of Commerce and Bryan directed her to a Dayton Development Task Force subcommittee, devoted to vacant stores on Main Street.

Barth met with Heather Hiebert on that subcommittee, and they walked up and down Main Street to get a good idea of which properties were available for adoption, and to see how to reach the owners of them.

Since then, the Adopt-A-Storefront Program has become an official part of the Dayton Development Task Force Main Street Program.

"Our goal is to provide the adopting entities a visible Main Street presence, to promote their work in exchange for keeping storefronts, or vacant building areas, clean, exciting, and vibrant," she said.

Lane Gwinn

Adopt-a-Storefront logo

Barth said the Historical Societies for the Boldman House Museum, the Dayton Depot Museum and the Smith Hollow Country Schoolhouse Museum, the Liberty Theater, the Robotics 4H Club, the County Fairgrounds, and the Blue Mountain Artists Guild have all expressed interest in promoting their organizations in the empty storefront windows.

She said sign-up will be in three-month increments.

"This is so displays can be changed on a regular basis," she said.

Barth said she hopes the displays will be ready as soon as May 1.

The Dayton Chamber of Commerce is the contact source for the project, screening authority and adoption-granting entity, Barth said.

To learn more, contact the Dayton Chamber of Commerce at (509) 382-4825 or stop in at 166 E. Main Street in Dayton.