Main Street Vermilion

Vermilion in Bloom "Ladies Night Out"

2012-03-02T11:35:00.000-05:00

Our third
"Ladies Night Out" of 2012

is scheduled for

Thursday, March 22nd from 7:00 - 9:00 pm

Romps

5055 Liberty Avenue

Enjoy a fun, casual evening with friends,

a glass of wine, and light supper.

Volunteers will be preparing soup and salad recipes from the College Club Cookbook.

Your $10 donation at the door helps pay for Vermilion's flowers.

Vermilion in Bloom is a Main Street Vermilion committee.

Gardeners Fair is Coming in April

2012-03-02T11:34:00.001-05:00

Vermilion in Bloom

Presents

Annual Gardeners Fair

Sailorway Middle School

5355 Sailorway Drive

Vermilion, OH 44089

9:00 am - 3:00 pm

Shop for flowers, plants, herbs,

unique garden items, landscaping services,

original art and jewelry.

$1.00 donation at the door

Main Street Vermilion's Successful Review

2012-02-25T09:56:00.002-05:00

On Friday, February 24th,

Main Street Vermilion once again

was accredited by Heritage Ohio as an

Ohio Main Street Program.

Each year, Heritage Ohio visits the Main Street Ohio programs they oversee to be sure the organizations are adhering to guidelines and to offer support. The purpose of the year-end assessment visit is to recognize the program's accomplishments made in 2011. Friday, February 24th was Main Street Vermilion's Annual Review. Main Street Vermilion is proud to announce that they passed all ten points and are once again accredited as an Ohio Main Street Program.

Mr. Frank Quinn from Heritage Ohio was the reviewer. Prior to his visit, a review document was given to Linda Tallitsch, Main Street Vermilion's Executive Director. The document is divided into 10 sections, with metrics in each of the sections. Considerable time is spent gathering the data and information from several sources, including input from municipal partners and on-site interviews with the board, committee members and staff.

The ten sections in the review document reflect the Ten National Main Street Community Criteria. The ten criteria are: (1) Broad-based community support, (2) Vision and mission statements, (3) Comprehensive work plan, (4) Historic preservation ethic, (5) Active board and committees, (6) Adequate operating budget, (7) Paid professional staff, (8) Program of on-going training, (9) Reporting of key statistics, and (10) Main Street Network membership.

"Main Street Vermilion appreciates the structure and support that Heritage Ohio affords us," says Linda Tallitsch, Executive Director. "It helps us to continue to shine as a Main Street organization and holds up standards so we can be even better!"

Main Street Vermilion is dedicated to the preservation and promotion of the downtown residential and commercial district. Our mission is "to stimulate development while preserving the character of the historic commercial and residential district of the City of Vermilion."

2012 - Vermilion's 175th Anniversary

2012-02-16T13:58:00.003-05:00

Watch this site

for 175th Anniversary activities!

Kick off Party

Saturday, April 28th

VBC

Details coming soon!

Limited Edition Coasters Now on Sale!

2011-09-18T15:35:00.000-04:00

Stone coasters with both vintage and
present-day scenes of Vermilion

are now available at our office.

The vintage scenes are from old Vermilion post cards and the

present-day coasters have photographs
courtesy of Scott Dommin.

$20 for a set of 4 coasters
All proceeds benefit the programs of Main Street Vermilion.

Holiday Cards and a Discount!

2011-09-18T14:40:00.000-04:00

Now is the time to get a head start on the holidays!

Main Street Vermilion is selling holiday cards

with this extraordinary picture, taken by local photographer Scott Dommin.

The cards and envelopes are blank inside and are $10 for a pack of 10.

Ink It Press, one of our business sponsors,

is offering a 10% off printing discount

to Main Street Vermilion card purchasers!

Purchase your cards from Main Street Vermilion and

have them personalized at a discount from our friends at

Ink It Press

13500 West Lake Road

Vermilion, OH 44089

440-967-9062

Train Enthusiast?

2011-09-08T06:00:00.000-04:00

Vermilion is the go-to place if you love railroading! We have almost 100 trains a day on the Norfolk and Southern route.

Our observation platform opened this spring. Bring your camera, tripod or just yourself and stop to see the different locomotives and freight cars that pass through Vermilion, OH.

Please see the map at the bottom of the page for our exact location.

Spend Some Time Here!

2011-09-06T17:40:00.000-04:00

Whether it's a weekday or a weekend, there are always fun things to do in Vermilion. Grab some hot chocolate at Decidedly Different, then maybe some lunch at the Soda Grill. Keep your options open and enjoy!

Follow Us On Twitter!

2011-09-01T23:56:00.000-04:00

Main Street Vermilion just got a new twitter account! Don't forget to check it out and follow us at Twitter.com/MainStVermilion.

"Lake Erie Living" Magazine Showcases Vermilion!

2011-06-29T14:34:00.000-04:00

The July/August 2011 issue of "Lake Erie Living" Magazine has a three-page spread showcasing Vermilion as "Lake Erie's Cape Cod." Chez Francois/Touche business owner Matt Mars compliments Main Street Vermilion in the article:

"Main Street Vermilion is a great group of people that have come together without any self-interest," says Mars. "They really want to continue to make Vermilion a cool place."

Chez Francois and Touche are proud business members of Main Street Vermilion.
Thank you, Matt!

A copy of the magazine is available at the Main Street Office for you to view.

VERMILION: Lake Erie's Cape Cod
BY LAURA WATILO BLAKE

Vermilion, Ohio, has all the elements you'd expect in an East Coast harbor town: the sounds of halyards clanging against sailboat masts, a charming bed-and-breakfast, an old-fashioned soda fountain, fine dining, boutiques, flower-lined streets and historic buildings, including former captain's homes overlooking their watery domain.

"It's charming," says Matthew Mars, co-owner of the award-winning French restaurant Chez Francois, which perches beside the Vermilion River. "It feels like a getaway. When you're sitting there, it doesn't feel like Ohio."

The similarities between Vermilion and the quaint villages of New England is no coincidence. In 1792, the Connecticut Legislature granted 500,000 acres of government-owned land along the Lake Erie shore to landowners whose property had been burned by the British during the Revolutionary War. The acreage, which became known as the Firelands, attracted pioneers from the east, who brought their New England sensibilities, plus skills in shipbuilding, fishing, ice cutting and lumbering, which contributed to the region's prosperity.

While the community isn't reliant on these industries today, Vermilion is indelibly linked to Lake Erie. Its lakeside location makes it an attractive tourist destination, especially for the many thousands of recreational boaters who visit regularly. The area's marinas and boat liveries serve 8,500 pleasure crafts, which make the town the largest small-boat harbor on the Great Lakes.

"The town comes alive toward the end of the April, through the summer season and into fall with all the boats in town," says Les Friedman, who runs Buyers Fair department store and Cargo Jewelers & Gallery with four other siblings. "They either like to take the boat out on the lake or site around and socialize. But they want places to go to eat and to shop."

Just moments after tying up a boat slip at McGarvey's Landing - or parking the car, in the case of landlubbers - visitors can be in the heart of the action.

"The town really knows how to accommodate boaters," says Debbie Schabel of Rocky River, Ohio. "We just revel in the fact that it is so welcoming and laid back, and you can walk everywhere. My kids would absolutely clamor to go there when they were little. There is something for every age."

Quaint boutiques line Main Street, and those in the know head to Buyers Fair, a small-town department store with Nordstrom-like aspirations. The Friedman family has operated the store for more than 50 years, offering everything from boating supplies to fashionable clothes and accessories.

When it comes to waterfront dining, the options include the casual Quaker Steak & Lube and upscale French cuisine at Chez Francois, the top-rated restaurant in Ohio by Zagat. Housed in a converted sail loft that dates back to 1940, the restaurant exudes a timeless quality while serving in-season, locally-sourced food.

Newer restaurant have hit the scene, too. The Lake Erie Taphouse offers a wide range of craft beers, and Woodstock is a great place to hear the town gossip while eating a sandwich or salad.

Vermilion is second to none when it comes to festivals and events for the whole family. "We have a lot going on," says Linda Tallitsch, program director for Main Street Vermilion, a historic preservation and economic development group.

July and August are hopping. There are free movies at dusk on Fridays in Exchange Park and free chamber concerts at 7 p.m. on Sundays in Victory Park. Every third Thursday, downtown Vermilion features live music and crafts.

The celebrations continue well into the fall.

The wacky Wooly Bear Festival - the largest one-day festival in Ohio - draws nearly 150,000 people to Vermilion to pay homage to the larvae of the Isabella tiger moth. According to folklore, the severity of an impending winter can be predicted by the amount of black on the bodies of these furry caterpillars. Now in its' 39th year, the affair includes a two-hour-long parade through town.

During quieter times, visitors can sit and watch the trains go by at the newly-inaugurated railroad observation platform on Main Street, south of the tracks. Another option is to head a couple blocks north to Main Street Beach for swimming. Next to the beach is the Great Lakes Historical Society's Inland Seas Maritime Museum, which has one of the largest collections of ship models and nautical artwork, plus interactive exhibits on shipwrecks, shipbuilding and lake navigation. While the museum has been a fixture in the community since 1953, it will close and move to Toledo in 2013, making this the time to stop by.

Naturally, Vermilion will feel the loss of the museum, but Main Street Vermilion is looking forward to the future. The organization plans to acquire the property for public use.

"Main Street Vermilion is a great group of people that have come together without any self-interest," said Mars. "They really want to continue to make Vermilion a cool place."

Things may be changing, but Vermilion holds on to the timeless qualities that make it a great destination.

"The flowers, the lake and boating: that's what attracts people," says Tallitsch.

If You Go

Vermilion is about 40 miles west of Cleveland and 25 miles east of Sandusky. For travel information, contact Lake Erie Shores & Islands. 4424 Milan Road, Suite A, Sandusky; 800-255-3743, shoresandislands.com.

Accommodations
Lodging in downtown Vermilion is limited. Try the Captain Gilchrist House B&B (5562 Huron St., Vermilion; 440-967-1237, gilchristguesthouse.com), which was built in 1885 by a local captain who owned the largest fleet of ships on the Great Lakes at the time. Converted to an inn, the large Victorian home has a wraparound porch and four guest homes with private baths. Room No. 2 includes a full kitchen. Prices range from $95 to $135. Alternatively, try the Holiday Inn Express Hotel Vermilion (2417 state Route 60, Vermilion, 440-967-8770, hiexpress.com), two miles south of town near state Route 2. Prices start at $108.99.

Dining
Dining options range from casual to upscale. Step back in time at the Main Street (Big Ed's) Soda Grill (5502 Liberty Ave., Vermilion; 440-967-4002) for burgers, hot dogs, fried bologna and milkshakes.

For a special night out, Chez Francois (555 Main Street, Vermilion; 440-967-0630; chezfrancois.com) doesn't disappoint. Its French specialties are prepared with fresh, local and seasonal ingredients. In addition to the formal dining room, the restaurant includes the Riverfront Cafe for alfresco dining and the wine bar Touche.

Boneheaded Tourist Comes to Vermilion

2011-06-02T10:19:00.000-04:00

The Boneheaded Tourist came to us last week from the

Ohio Traveler Magazine

He is traveling around the state, learning about Ohio and

also learning some safety lessons too!

Main Street Vermilion immediately took him to our Main Line Rail

observation platform. He saw trains and learned to

stay on the platform and not get too close to the tracks.

BT is now on his way to Neff Brothers RV, off Baumhart Road.

Bye Bonehead! We're glad you stopped here!

2nd Annual Vermilion Open a Success!

2011-05-20T10:45:00.004-04:00

Builders, realtors, developers, financiers, architects and others who saw the potential for economic development in our "small town on a great lake" met at Main Street back on the afternoon of May 19 to network and tour available properties.

The 18 properties represented $25,000,000 of potential renovation and development work in Historic Downtown Vermilion.

Scroll down the page to see all of the properties that were showcased during this event!

From L to R: Nan and George Gregory, keynote speaker Peter Zaehringer (Executive Director, Erie County Development Corporation) and Vermilion Mayor, Eileen Bulan.

2011 Vermilion Open Booklet!

Shop and Dine in Vermilion!

2011-05-10T00:40:00.000-04:00

Autumn is a great time to visit our shops and restaurants. We have free parking and easy access to our quaint shops, eateries and coffee spots.

Come and see why we love our favorite haunts!

Spring is Here at Main Street!

2011-05-09T16:07:00.001-04:00

Roger Waleri and Crew from Ultimate Landscaping
are donating their time and talent to trim, weed and mulch
our entrance and side garden area this year.

Look for Ultimate Landscaping this summer as they keep us looking great!

Ultimate Landscaping
440-963-0633
UltimateLandscapeOH.com

Main Street Vermilion Achieves National Accreditation for 4th Year in a Row!

2011-03-22T13:47:00.001-04:00

Heritage Ohio announced today that Vermilion has been certified as a 2011 National Main Street Community. A member of the Main Street program since 2007, Main Street Vermilion continues to work towards revitalizing the historic downtown district.

"This designation is a testament to the hard work and commitment of the Main Street Vermilion Board of Directors, staff and volunteers", said Jeff Siegler, Director of Revitalization for Heritage Ohio.

For more information about Heritage Ohio and the Main Street Program, go to www.HeritageOhio.org.

Community Pasta Dinner On August 13th!

2010-09-30T09:55:00.000-04:00

Participating Athletes Eat For Free!

Community Pasta Dinner
Saturday, August 13
4:30—7:00 p.m.
Linwood Park Pavilion

Celebrating the Fourth Annual Vermilion Harbour Triathlon/Duathlon and the Ohio Women's Triathlon for the Cure!

Adults: $8.00 - Children (8 and under): $5.00

Tickets sold at two locations:
Linwood Front Gate Entrance for the public
Linwood Residences may buy their tickets at the Pavilion

Sponsored by the Vermilion Fire Company and Vermilion Rotary Club

4th Annual Triathlon/Duathlon is Coming!

2010-09-30T09:00:00.000-04:00

Start Training Now!

New Event:

"Ohio Women's Triathlon for the Cure"
Saturday, August 13
Linwood Park, Vermilion, Ohio
Click here to learn more.

4th Annual Harbour Triathlon/Duathlon
Sunday, August 14
Linwood Park, Vermilion, Ohio
Click here to learn more.

Find out more information about this upcoming weekend by clicking here!