Downtown Decorah Betterment

06/02/2026

Downtown Decorah Betterment is pleased to host the Lawn Chair Night Summer Series again this year! What a great community tradition of free live music in our town!

This year there will be 13 performances, twelve of which will take place next to Impact Coffee on Washington Street and one - the Nordic Dancers Night - which will take place in front of the Courthouse. A September 3rd Lawn Chair Night has been added to align with Luther College Welcome Week.

Thursday, June 4th (6-7PM) w/ Namoli Brennet
Thursday, June 11th (6-7PM) w/ Footnotes *Family Night
Thursday, June 18th (6-7PM) w/ Ironstill
Thursday, June 25th (6-7PM) w/ Joshua Sinclair

Thursday, July 2nd (6-7PM) w/ Driftless Wind Ensemble
Thursday, July 9th (6-7PM) w/ Katy Tessman
Thursday, July 16th (630PM - 8PM) at Courthouse: Nordic Dancers
Thursday, July 23rd -- NORDIC FEST
Thursday, July 30th (6-7PM) w/ Mike McAbee

Thursday, August 6th (6-7PM) w/ Mike Munson
Thursday, August 13th (6-7PM) w/ Jack Norton
Thursday, August 20th (6-7PM) w/ Slim Whimsy Duo
Thursday, August 27th (6-7PM) w/ Too Old Cat
and
Thursday, September 3rd (6-7PM) w/ Driftless Jazz Collective

Attendees are reminded to bring a lawn chair with them to the events and many will enjoy extending their evening with Impact Coffee's Outdoor Trivia (free to participate) which immediately follows the live music each week. Attendees are encouraged to support area restaurants by ordering carry-out. A food truck is also often stationed on Washington to serve during both the music and trivia events.

This free, public event series is possible through a successful collaboration between Downtown Decorah Betterment Association, Impact Coffee, Visit Decorah Tourism.

Generous sponsorships help make this event series possible. Thank you to Series Sponsors Oneota Community Food Co-op, AJ Realty, Inc., and ITC Holdings Corp. as well as Night Sponsors Decorah Pride, Vesterheim, Decorah Real Estate Fund LP, Northeast Security Bank, West Music, Harman Realty, Decorah Bank & Trust, Sogo Snacks, Sunflower Child Development & Discovery Center, Jubilee, Edward Jones: Spencer C Cuvelier, Viking State Bank, The Highlands, Nelson & Benzschawel Attorneys at Law, ServPro of Decorah, and Luther College.

04/20/2026

The Annual Meeting in March was great! Thank you to Vesterheim Norwegian-American Museum for hosting and Thank You to Luther College President Brad Chamberlain for giving the keynote!

Thank you to all our new and returning members for their support. Downtown Decorah is special!

2026 Business Recognition:
On Point Permanent Cosmetics - New Business
Edward Jones - New Location, Remodel
ArtHaus Collective - Business Extension
KD Refillery - New Location
Twisted Gnome - New Location
Mercantile 1028 - New Location
RB Web Development - New Business
Aura Beauty Studio - New Business
Lizzie’s Lofts - New Business, Remodel
Perfect Edge - Facade Improvements
Dragonfly Books - Facade Improvements
Impact Coffee - Facade Improvements
Vesterheim - New Forging Studio
Meyer, Lorentzen, Nelson & Benzschawel - New Business
T- Bock's Sports Bar & Grill - Building Improvements
Blooming Backdrops & More - New Location
Sissa | Embodied Living + Soulful Goods - New Business
Rooted Radiance Esthetics - New Business
Revive & Thrive - New Business
Holistic Pathways - New Business
The Elks - Facade Improvements
Danny & Chelle Meyer - Building Improvements
Fridley Viking 3 Theatre - Building Improvements
David Lester - Building Improvements
Chrysalis Children's Center, A New Division of
NE IA Behavioral Health - New Location, Remodel

04/10/2026

Aura Beauty Studio has a Grand Opening on April 11th from Noon to 3PM. What a great time to see this new business space and tell the Owner Sara Meyer Thank You for choosing downtown Decorah!

04/10/2026

What a great weekend to shop downtown Decorah!

04/06/2026

Women's Weekend Out is a great event weekend! Thanks to all the participating stores and restaurants! Decorah has a great downtown because people shop there - Take time April 10th - 12th to show up in support of our small businesses!

Grab your friends—it’s Women's Weekend Out in Decorah! ✨

From April 10–12, downtown Decorah turns into a 3-day shopping, dining, and entertainment experience filled with local finds, special events, and plenty of reasons to treat yourself. Wander more than a dozen walkable blocks, discover your favorite shops (and a few new ones), and enjoy a weekend made for connection, laughter, and a little indulgence.

Make it even more fun with a Women’s Weekend Out swag bag—packed with goodies, deals, and surprises from local businesses.
Whether you're planning a girls’ getaway or a day trip, this is your perfect excuse to explore, sip, shop, and soak up spring in Decorah. 👉 Plan your weekend + learn more: https://www.decorahareachamber.com/event/womens-weekend-out-3/

03/10/2026

The Downtown Decorah Betterment Association Board of Directors extends an invitation to DDBA members and the public to attend our upcoming annual meeting. The meeting will be held on March 18th at 5:30 PM at Vesterheim Commons.

DDBA is pleased to recognize 25 businesses/individuals for their investment in the downtown which includes those who started a business, expanded their business, or improved their physical space since March of 2025. The meeting will also feature a special presentation by Luther College President Brad Chamberlain.

Downtown Recognition List:

-Chrysalis Children's Center, A New Division of NE IA Behavioral Health - New Location, Remodel
-On Point Permanent Cosmetics - New Business
-Edward Jones - New Location, Remodel
-ArtHaus Collective - Business Extension
-KD Refillery - New Location
-Twisted Gnome - New Location
-Mercantile 1028 - New Location
-RB Web Development - New Business
-Aura Beauty Studio - New Business
-Lizzie’s Lofts - New Business, Remodel
-Perfect Edge - Facade Improvements
-Dragonfly Books - Facade Improvements
-Impact Coffee - Facade Improvements
-Vesterheim - New Forging Studio
-Meyer, Lorentzen, Nelson & Benzschawel - New Business
-T- Bock's Sports Bar & Grill - Building Improvements
-Blooming Backdrops & More - New Location
-Sissa | Embodied Living + Soulful Goods - New Business
-Rooted Radiance Esthetics - New Business
-Revive & Thrive - New Business
-Holistic Pathways - New Business
-The Elks - Facade Improvements
-Danny & Chelle Meyer - Building Improvements
-Fridley Viking 3 Theatre - Building Improvements
-David Lester - Building Improvements

DDBA President Jenny Harman shared, “We commend these businesses for their dedication to Decorah’s downtown district. Their investment gives our community the unique charm that makes this town a special place to live and a great place to visit. They help maintain a positive momentum that makes our community a viable place to start and grow a business. We’re happy to have this opportunity to recognize them.”

Downtown Decorah Betterment is guided by a 12-member volunteer board. DDBA currently serves Decorah's downtown district with special improvement projects as well as annual initiatives like the Hanging Flower Baskets, the Lawn Chair Night Summer Series (in partnership with Decorah Area Chamber and Visit Decorah Tourism), the Rooftop Lighting program, and downtown Informational Kiosks. Downtown Decorah Betterment also leads and partners on special projects that enhance the downtown district aesthetic experience.

For more information or to provide support for, please visit www.downtowndecorahbetterment.com.

01/22/2026

Thank you all for your continued support in 2025. We look forward to another year of making our downtown beautiful!

Looking for ways to support our projects in 2026? Click the link to our website to read about all the different ways you can support downtown Decorah!

https://www.downtowndecorahbetterment.com/

01/20/2026

We have great restaurants in downtown Decorah! Support them during Restaurant Week - January 26th to February 1st.

The Decorah Area Chamber of Commerce is pleased to host Decorah’s Restaurant Week from January 26th- February 1st, 2026. You are invited to support your favorite local eateries, try new ones, […]

12/12/2025

Thanks everyone for shopping in Downtown Decorah! And congratulations to week one winners for the Decorah Area Chamber of Commerce’s Countdown to Christmas!

The Winners for Week One of the Chamber's Countdown to Christmas are: Tiffany Zweibohmer, Darla Schnuelle, Carol Hasvold, Kristi Steinlage, and Kris Bigler! Congratulations and THANK YOU for shopping small and shopping local this holiday season!

The Countdown to Christmas Shop Small, Buy Local Campaign is brought to you by the Decorah Area Chamber, 40+ Small Businesses, and our Countdown to Christmas Sponsors: Interior Design by Emily, Scooter's Coffee, Kelly Real Estate, Fisk Farm & Home Supply.

Each winner receives a gift bag with $200 of gift cards & local products provided by the participating stores!

Still Time to Shop Local & Enter to Win at:
Market 52
Mercantile 1028
Vesterheim Norwegian-American Museum
K.L. Design
J. Tupy's on Water Street
KD Refillery
Interior Design by Emily
Hammel Jewelers
Modish
Fisk Farm & Home - Decorah
Dragonfly Books
The Silver Birch Christian Books and Gifts
Oneota Community Food Co-op
Rockweiler Appliance and TV
Jenny Wren Gift Market
Oak & Olive Flowers
Driftless Botanicals Decorah
Mabes Pizza
Salú Sauna + Wellness Studio
The Landing Market
Root 43 Juicery
Twisted Gnome
Revelation / Les Wigs Renee / Merle Norman Cosmetics
Pulpit Rock Brewing Company
Rendered Unique
Storied Folk & Co.
Magic Morpho
Coffee Break
Double Windsor Clothing Company
Decorah Hatchery
The Perfect Edge
Aura Beauty Studio
LetterWerks
Red-Roxy Quilt Co.
Agora Arts
LuLu & BB's Pet Market
Decorah Ace Stores
The Getup
Blue Heron Knittery
Gamesxp Decorah
Drift: Strength + Yoga Center
Heavenly Made Gifts & The Gnomes by Linda Wolfs
Oneota Valley Family Eye Care
Day Spring Spa
Gallery of Tops

12/12/2025

Amazing to have this AWARD WINNING museum in our downtown! Congratulations to Vesterheim Norwegian-American Museum on this recognition!

Hanson Vesterheim Commons is a 2025 American Architecture Award winner!

The Chicago Athenaeum: Museum of Architecture and Design, together with The European Centre for Architecture Art Design and Urban Studies, recently announced the winners of the 2025 American Architecture Awards®—the profession’s oldest and largest awards program that honors the nation’s best new buildings, landscape architecture, and urban planning by leading design firms practicing from across the 50 United States and also globally.

Now celebrating the 31st year, The American Architecture Awards are the nation’s highest and most prestigious distinguished building awards program that honor new and cutting-edge design in the United States.

https://www.chi-athenaeum.org/announcements/2025/11/26/the-2025-american-architecture-awards-winners/

Vesterheim continues to be grateful to Snøhetta and BNIM for their partnership in designing this state-of-the-art community space.