March 29, 2024

Sign Pro donates to downtown decorations

Those who have recently taken a stroll in downtown Newton may have noticed the added decorations on vacant store fronts. Local business Sign Pro, along with Newton Main Street, is responsible for bringing the festive holiday look to otherwise empty buildings.

“They are trying to make things a little more festive and do some things with the empty buildings,” Sign Pro owner Matt Michener said.

Michener was approached by Newton Main Street to be part of the project and decided to donate the time and materials to make it happen. Michener said Sign Pro came up with the designs for the windows, which are located on the southwest corner of First Avenue and Second Street, the former Speakeasy and former Pappy’s Antique Mall.

The three windows on the southwest corner of First Avenue and Second Street show a snowman in a winter scene that says “Happy Holidays Newton” and snowflakes and winter trees with red bird accents and joy across the window. The former Speakeasy has several large Christmas bulbs hanging down and the former Pappy’s building shows the three wise men on their journey following the star.

“Pappy’s has the nativity scene in the window, so that’s why we decorated that one that way,” Michener said.

The decorations, which went up the beginning of November, are a part of a larger project with the Greater Newton Chamber of Commerce to get ready for the annual courthouse lighting and lighted holiday festival, Newton Main Street Executive Director Andrew Bassman said.

“We thought it would be a good idea because there are some high visibility buildings that are vacant,” Bassman said.

He said the idea started with putting the plans for the streetscape master plan in the former Pappy’s building and plans to continue the idea through the year in different areas of the downtown.

“We want to continue the idea in places that have more pedestrian traffic. Other places that are less aesthetically pleasing or have more auto traffic would be a good place for temporary art installation,” Bassman said.

Bassman said Main Street has been in contact with various groups in the community to bring their talents to the downtown project. The installations will be temporary and change depending on the time of year and what is appropriate.

“It’s something the community should look forward to,” Bassman said.