ABOUT THE DWA
The Downtown Waxhaw Association (DWA) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to the preservation and promotion of Waxhaw’s historic downtown.
As an accredited Main Street America™ program & North Carolina Main Street Community, we serve as the bridge between past & future, tradition & innovation, people & place.
Through strategic projects, place-based investment & collaborative partnerships, we work to strengthen our small business district, enhance quality of life, and shape a downtown that’s welcoming & enduring.
Our values and priorities.
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We take pride in our mission to connect people, places, and ideas. By forging strategic partnerships and implementing innovative programs, we bring people together with the places and experiences that have shaped our past and will shape our future.
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We believe that you take care of places that you love. We value our cultural heritage and protect our shared history, traditions, and craftsmanship that make Downtown Waxhaw special. We are dedicated to championing the revitalization of downtown, with historic preservation at the heart of our efforts.
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We remain focused and committed to our vision for downtown. As steadfast advocates, we champion its growth and vitality, promoting it as a wholesome, welcoming destination for all.
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As the cultural and economic center of Waxhaw, downtown is where memories are created, and new ideas are born. We create environments that foster connectivity, collaboration, and innovation, where our community comes together to shape a brighter future.
DOWNTOWN WAXHAW
FY25 IMPACT REPORT
FY25 was a year of progress, pride & partnership in Downtown Waxhaw. From big wins to small but meaningful changes, every milestone was powered by people who care.
OUR ORIGINS & ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE
The Downtown Waxhaw Association was established in 2022 to expand & enhance the Main Street program in Downtown Waxhaw. We are a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization dedicated to the preservation and promotion of Downtown Waxhaw.
Expanding the Main Street program not only provides greater support & resources to our small business owners & residents, but also alleviates the burden on local government by sharing the responsibility of strengthening downtown.
It also establishes a streamlined approach to enhance efficiency & effectiveness in working with the entire community - delivering real results that benefit the entire community.
Our organization is led by an 11-member board of directors, which includes the Town Manager, two commissioners, and eight community members. This ensures representation of various stakeholders.
As a quasi-public-private partnership, the Town of Waxhaw’s Downtown Director serves as a crucial link between the non-profit board and the municipality.
This partnership structure, embraced by almost half of North Carolina Main Street communities, promotes collaboration and ownership among business owners, volunteers, and the community, fostering a strong sense of ownership & building consensus for downtown's vision.
Our mission: to be the leading resource to preserve, promote & bridge the past, present & future of Downtown Waxhaw.
Downtown Waxhaw, with its small-town charm, is the cultural and economic center of the community. It is the premier destination in Union County to experience genuine craftsmanship, create shared memories, and build economic opportunities.
MEET THE TEAM
DWA BOARD OF DIRECTORS
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Dan Garrett
PRESIDENT
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Kate Stahlman
VICE PRESIDENT
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Kat Richardson
SECRETARY
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Bernard Arthur
TREASURER
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Jim Hill
FOUNDING MEMBER
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Tony Garshnick
BOARD MEMBER
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Rick Bandazian
BOARD MEMBER
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Jen Williams
BOARD MEMBER
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Susanna Wedra
MAYOR PRO TEM
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Daniel Farris
COMMISSIONER
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Scott Dadson
TOWN MANAGER
DWA STAFF
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DOWNTOWN COORDINATOR
Alara brings a unique perspective to downtown stewardship as a long-time Waxhaw resident, corporate professional, former local business owner, and mother of two. Her 12-year corporate media and marketing experience provides a solid foundation in strategic brand management, complemented by 5 years as owner of Siela Boutique in Downtown Waxhaw.
Alara's deep roots in Waxhaw fuel her passion for creating a space that truly serves the needs of residents and small businesses. Her experience as a local entrepreneur and former Secretary of the Downtown Waxhaw Association equips her with a comprehensive understanding of the local market and the unique challenges faced by small businesses in the area.
As Business Development Coordinator, she is responsible for strengthening connections between stakeholders, turning shared visions into reality, and establishing effective communication tools.
Alara lives in Waxhaw with her husband Patrick, two children (a CATA senior and a Parkwood Middle School eighth-grader), and two dogs.
North Carolina Main Street Rural Planning Center
The NC Main Street & Rural Planning Center is a Main Street America™ Coordinating Program. Main Street America™ is a program of the nonprofit National Main Street Center, a subsidiary of the National Trust for Historic Preservation. As one of the first Main Street America™ Coordinating Programs designated in 1980, NC Main Street inspires placemaking through building asset-based economic development strategies. The NC Main Street staff is charged by the NC Department of Commerce to facilitate downtown economic development using the Main Street America Four-Point Approach. The Main Street Approach™ focuses on economic development strategies to transform downtown. These strategies articulate a focused path to revitalizing or strengthening a downtown economy. Designated NC Main Street community's work is organized around the Four-Point Approach: Economic Vitality, Design, Promotion, and Organization.
The National Main Street Program | Main Street America™
Main Street America™ has been helping revitalize older and historic commercial districts since 1980. Today it is a network of neighborhoods and communities, rural and urban, that share both commitment to place and to building stronger communities through preservation-based economic development. Main Street America is a program of the nonprofit National Main Street Center, a subsidiary of the National Trust for Historic Preservation.
Main Street America™ is a movement. It is the leading voice for preservation-based economic development and community revitalization across the country. Made up of small towns, mid-sized communities, and urban commercial districts, Main Street America represents the broad diversity that makes this country so unique. Working together, the programs that make up the Main Street America network help to breathe new life into the places people call home.
keep in touch.
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get in touch.
info@downtownwaxhaw.com
(704) 292-6705
115 McDonald St.
Waxhaw, NC 28173
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