Downtown Appleton - The Fox Cities Business and Entertainment Center
Downtown Appleton, WI is thriving and one of the most exciting downtown destinations in all of Wisconsin. If you would like to skip the narrative, you can jump ahead to our Available Retail Space in Downtown Appleton.
Prior to the 1980’s, downtown Appleton was the major retailing area for all of Northeastern Wisconsin and much of Upper Michigan. But, in the 1980’s, its retailing prowess was challenged by the Fox River Mall Retail Area and the city’s Central Business Area soon lost its luster to the outlying, suburban shopping area. The Downtown struggled for a bit but eventually entrepreneurs saw new opportunities for a bigger and better Central Business Area.
| The success of Downtown is attributable to the recognition by the business community of three key elements essential to turning around any Downtown. In today’s market, a Downtown must (a) put well-paid employee’s into the Central Business District on a daily basis; (b) attract tourists and other visitors; and (c) provide space for upper income housing. Any community that does these three things will create a demand for retail and entertainment establishments that will be eagerly provided by young entrepreneurs ready to seize new opportunities. This is exactly what has happened in Downtown Appleton. |  |
Downtown employees - Downtown Appleton is the center of government for both the City and Outagamie County. In addition, hundreds-of-thousands of square feet of office space have been added or rehabilitated. Thousands of white-collar workers go to their jobs in the Downtown every day. This white-collar work force is female dominated, providing a growing demand for retail goods. In most households, the female spends not only her paycheck but that of her spouse, as well. It is usually the female that buys clothes for the kids, the birthday and Christmas gifts and the furnishings for the home. There are lots of female customers in Downtown Appleton.
Downtown Tourism and Entertainment – The anchor of the Downtown is the 400 room Paper Valley Hotel & Convention Center. This facility is the Center of the Downtown and attracts conventions and visitors from around the country. While the hotel is usually filled on week days with conventioneers, on weekends it is filled with visitors from throughout Wisconsin and Upper Michigan who visit the area to shop and take in the night life. A new $35,000,000 Performing Arts Center has just opened and will attract even more visitors to the area. The Downtown is filled with restaurants, bars and nightclubs catering to locals and visitors alike. There are few places in Wisconsin that are as exciting on a Saturday night as Downtown Appleton!
Downtown Housing – Clearly, Appleton has made a start on providing upscale housing in an around the Downtown but it still has a way to go. The housing areas surrounding the central business area are on the way up. High rise senior citizen housing has been built and some upper-end condominiums developed.
If this is the right environment for your retail store or restaurant, check out our Available Retail Space in Downtown Appleton.