Winchester, Tenn., Monday, February 22, 2010 - To celebrate the $5 million in renovations currently underway in its historic downtown courthouse square area, the city of Winchester is hosting a first-ever special event "Walking in Winchester," from Monday, February 22 through Wednesday, March 31. Winchester is inviting everyone to step out downtown and see what's new, and at the same time, save up to 50 percent on dining and up to 30 percent on shopping through special promotions being offered by participating merchants displaying "Walking in Winchester" blue shoeprints.

"We're really excited about all the wonderful things that are happening downtown through the city's participation in the Tennessee Courthouse Square Revitalization Pilot Program, and we want people to come take a look at our progress, and at the same time, enjoy some great bargains," City Administrator Beth Rhoton says.

Special savings coupons for the "Walking in Winchester" event may be found online at the city of Winchester's Web site: http://www.winchester-tn.com/. Everyone is encouraged to visit the Web site, print the coupons and bring them when visiting downtown. Participating merchants and special offers include:

• A Formal Affair - Free shoes with tuxedo rental for prom, veils half price with wedding dress purchase
• Bunny's Gym - One week free trial
• Designer Cakes - One free cookie
• 4 U Tax & Financial Services - Free e-file income tax
• Hammer's - 10% off purchases $50 to $100; 20% off purchases over $100
• JC's Butcher Block - $2 off any purchase over $20                                                             
• Kathy's Hair Dimensions - $2 off men's haircut
• Ken's Doghouse - Regular hot dog w/ all the trimmings $1.50
• Lily's Boutique - 20% off any item
• Merle Norman Cosmetics/Anrae & Company - Enter to win discounts of 10% to 30%
• San Miguel's - 12 oz. caramel latte for $1.80
• Wenger's Furniture & Gifts - WoodWick Candles, buy one get one 50% off; 25% off jewelry and antiques; 20% off wall décor, lamps, glassware and wicker furniture (indoor/outdoor); 15% off baby gifts and hostess gifts; 10% off all Christian merchandise
• Whiffenpoofs - 15% off any item
• Winchester Antique Mall - 10% off any item including sale items
• Wishing Well Antiques and Gifts - Free membership in Wish Club with tax-free purchases any item, any time

Executive Director of the Winchester Downtown Program Corporation Bill Cowan adds, "We're excited about our new downtown square, it looks great. Our merchants are anxious for our friends and neighbors to see our new downtown. Come shop with us, eat with us, and tell your friends to come too."

The nine-block area surrounding the historic Franklin County courthouse in Winchester has been transformed with wider roadways, sidewalks, trees, vintage-style streetlamps and signposts. Refacing of all of the buildings in the court square area is now underway, giving the area a fresh, new look designed to attract new businesses as well as consumers to the area.

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Winchester, Tenn., Wednesday, January 20, 2010 - The first phase of a multi-million dollar downtown revitalization project undertaken by the city of Winchester and its nonprofit Winchester Downtown Program Corporation has been completed thanks to a $1 million grant from the Tennessee Department of Transportation.

Part of an overall design plan created by the Memphis, Tenn.-based urban planning firm Looney Ricks Kiss and developed by Dempsey, Dilling and Associates Engineering, the nine-block area surrounding the historic Franklin County courthouse in Winchester has been transformed with wider roadways, sidewalks, trees, vintage-style streetlamps and signposts.

This is only the first step in a broad-based plan to promote progressive economic development and growth in Winchester and the surrounding area. The strategic development plan also calls for the refacing of all of the buildings in the court square area giving it a fresh, new look to attract new businesses as well as consumers to the area, which includes entertainment and a wide range of restaurants and retailers.

The second phase of the redevelopment effort is being financed by the Tennessee Courthouse Square Revitalization Pilot Program. Winchester is one of six cities across the state selected for the program in which all of the state's portion of sales and use taxes generated by businesses within the courthouse square area are returned to the city of Winchester to be used for improvements in the downtown area. The funding for the pilot program runs through 2023.

Work has already begun on the second phase, on the facades of buildings on the west side of court square.

"This redevelopment project is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for the city of Winchester," notes Mayor Terry Harrell. "For some 30 years, city officials and business leaders have been dreaming of the day that something like this would come along."

He adds, "We are positive it will be a success, and will make sure that it is, so that other cities may be able to benefit from this pilot program in the future."

Harrell stressed, "We believe all of this hard work will make a significant contribution to economic development and growth for the city, recruiting new retail businesses and drawing consumers to Winchester. We've already seen some new restaurants come to downtown."

To that end, the city has also hired the Memphis, Tenn.-based advertising, marketing and public relations firm Walker + Associates to develop a marketing plan, starting with a new logo and Web site to enhance the city's image. The logo features a stylized view of Winchester, highlighting the area mountains, Tims Ford Lake and downtown in a drawing of earthy pastels, with the tag line "Discover More By The Lakeshore!TM"

"We wanted the logo and tag line to serve as an invitation for everyone to rediscover Winchester, and so it highlights and capitalizes on all the great things that Winchester has to offer -- from the lake and hiking to golf, as well as its restaurants, shopping and entertainment venues downtown," Andy Windham, chief operating officer for Walker + Associates says.

The city's updated Web site http://www.winchester-tn.com/ refocuses the city as a travel destination with information on things to do, places to stay and eat, along with an events calendar, travel tools and a section dedicated to the downtown courthouse square area. The site also includes information on resources related to city government as well as details regarding Winchester's history and culture.

In keeping with the booming social networking trend, Winchester City Manager Beth Rhoton notes that downtown Winchester also now has a fan page on Facebook and a Twitter account so residents and visitors alike can keep up with the latest development and activities. Links to both can be found at the bottom of each Web page on http://www.winchester-tn.com/.

"We're very excited about what's happening downtown and looking forward to all of the improvements," Mayor Harrell says.

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