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<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'>Matt Wiederhold, executive director<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><st1:address w:st="on"><st1:Street w:st="on"><font size=3
face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:12.0pt'>Main Street</span></font></st1:Street>
<st1:City w:st="on">Medina</st1:City></st1:address><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><st1:Street w:st="on"><st1:address w:st="on"><font size=3
face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:12.0pt'>23 Public Square, Suite
220</span></font></st1:address></st1:Street><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><st1:place w:st="on"><st1:City w:st="on"><font size=3
face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:12.0pt'>Medina</span></font></st1:City>,
<st1:State w:st="on">OH</st1:State> <st1:PostalCode w:st="on">44256</st1:PostalCode></st1:place><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'>330-952-0910<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'>info@mainstreetmedina.com<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'>www.mainstreetmedina.com<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><b><font size=5 face="Times New Roman"><span lang=EN-GB
style='font-size:18.0pt;font-weight:bold'>Discover Evening Shopping in <st1:place
w:st="on"><st1:City w:st="on">Medina</st1:City></st1:place> with“Weekends
Begin on Thursday Nights” <o:p></o:p></span></font></b></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><b><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span lang=EN-GB
style='font-size:12.0pt;font-weight:bold'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></b></p>
<p style='margin:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span
lang=EN-GB style='font-size:12.0pt'>(<st1:place w:st="on"><st1:City w:st="on">Medina</st1:City>,
<st1:State w:st="on">Ohio-</st1:State></st1:place> September 23, 2008) –
A new approach is being taken to make it easier for <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:City
w:st="on">Medina</st1:City></st1:place> residents to support the locally owned
and operated stores and restaurants in the historic district with
“Weekends Begin on Thursday Nights”. Sixteen shops and galleries
that are members of Main Street Medina have signed a letter of
agreement—and are backing it up with money for advertising and
publicity—to stay open for one year until 8:00pm every Thursday night.
The kick-off for Thursday night shopping was held September 18<sup>th</sup>,
the same night as “Open for Business”, a retail recruitment event. <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p style='margin:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span
lang=EN-GB style='font-size:12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p style='margin:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span
lang=EN-GB style='font-size:12.0pt'>“Anything new takes time to get into
people’s minds,” stated Angie Nandor, co-owner of Eastwood
Furniture, featuring a full line of furniture hand-made by Ohio Amish
craftsman. “I was happy with the turn out. Some of my regular customers
are thrilled with the evening hours because it allows them to bring their
spouses to the store to shop. One couple said they didn’t even know about
the extended hours, but were in the district having dinner and decided to take
a walk around the square. They came in and bought several items for their
home.”<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal align=center style='text-align:center;line-height:150%'><font
size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:12.0pt;line-height:150%'>###<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><st1:address w:st="on"><st1:Street w:st="on"><b><font
size=5 face="Times New Roman"><span lang=EN-GB style='font-size:18.0pt;
font-weight:bold'>Main Street</span></font></b></st1:Street><b><font size=5><span
lang=EN-GB style='font-size:18.0pt;font-weight:bold'> <st1:City w:st="on">Medina</st1:City></span></font></b></st1:address><b><font
size=5><span lang=EN-GB style='font-size:18.0pt;font-weight:bold'> Achieves
Goal With <i><span style='font-style:italic'>Open for Business</span></i><o:p></o:p></span></font></b></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><b><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span lang=EN-GB
style='font-size:12.0pt;font-weight:bold'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></b></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span lang=EN-GB
style='font-size:12.0pt'>(</span></font><st1:place w:st="on"><st1:City w:st="on"><span
lang=EN>Medina</span></st1:City><span lang=EN>, <st1:State w:st="on">Ohio-</st1:State></span></st1:place><span
lang=EN> September 23, 2008) –Main Street Medina is considering <i><span
style='font-style:italic'>Main Street Medina: Open for Business</span></i>, a
commercial and retail recruitment event that was held September 18<sup>th</sup>,
a critical success. Although attendance was less than anticipated, those that
did come to the event were serious about locating or expanding a business in
the historic district.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span lang=EN
style='font-size:12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span lang=EN
style='font-size:12.0pt'>Sponsored by Key Bank, Western Reserve Bank,
Gerspacher Realty, First Merit Bank, Medina County Convention and
Visitor’s Bureau, the City of <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:City w:st="on">Medina</st1:City></st1:place>,
and Greater Medina Chamber of Commerce, over one dozen interested persons or
groups came through the open house, visited the twelve available properties,
and asked for additional information at the closing reception.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span lang=EN
style='font-size:12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span lang=EN
style='font-size:12.0pt'>“This event was a unique way to promote the
historic district, and to take a proactive stance on stemming the potential
growth of vacancies in the area,” stated <st1:address w:st="on"><st1:Street
w:st="on">Main Street</st1:Street> <st1:City w:st="on">Medina</st1:City></st1:address>
executive director, Matt Wiederhold. “We had such a wonderful night,
perfect weather, and the great partnerships between public and private sectors
really made everything run smoothly. There’s been talk about making this
a bi-annual event, once in the fall and again in the spring.”<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span lang=EN-GB
style='font-size:12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span lang=EN-GB
style='font-size:12.0pt'>Interested persons that were not able to attend the
event, but are interested in opening a retail business or restaurant in the
nine square block historic district around the town square should call <st1:address
w:st="on"><st1:Street w:st="on">Main Street</st1:Street> <st1:City w:st="on">Medina</st1:City></st1:address>
at 330-952-0910 or email <a href="mailto:info@mainstreetmedina.com">info@mainstreetmedina.com</a>
for more information.</span><o:p></o:p></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal align=center style='text-align:center'><font size=3
face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:12.0pt'>###<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><b><font size=5 face="Times New Roman"><span lang=EN-GB
style='font-size:18.0pt;font-weight:bold'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></b></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><st1:address w:st="on"><st1:Street w:st="on"><b><font
size=5 face="Times New Roman"><span lang=EN-GB style='font-size:18.0pt;
font-weight:bold'>Main Street</span></font></b></st1:Street><b><font size=5><span
lang=EN-GB style='font-size:18.0pt;font-weight:bold'> <st1:City w:st="on">Medina</st1:City></span></font></b></st1:address><b><font
size=5><span lang=EN-GB style='font-size:18.0pt;font-weight:bold'> Planning 24<sup>th</sup>
Annual Candlelight Walk for November 21-23, 2008<o:p></o:p></span></font></b></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><b><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span lang=EN-GB
style='font-size:12.0pt;font-weight:bold'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></b></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span lang=EN-GB
style='font-size:12.0pt'>(</span></font><st1:place w:st="on"><st1:City w:st="on"><span
lang=EN>Medina</span></st1:City><span lang=EN>, <st1:State w:st="on">Ohio-</st1:State></span></st1:place><span
lang=EN> September 23, 2008) –The twinkling of the holiday tree in the
Gazebo, luminary-lined streets and festive holiday music will transform <st1:place
w:st="on"><st1:City w:st="on">Medina</st1:City></st1:place>’s <st1:Street
w:st="on"><st1:address w:st="on">Historic Square</st1:address></st1:Street>
into a magical wonderland as <st1:address w:st="on"><st1:Street w:st="on">Main
Street</st1:Street> <st1:City w:st="on">Medina</st1:City></st1:address>
presents the 24<sup>th</sup> Annual Candlelight Walk. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span lang=EN
style='font-size:12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'>Beginning Friday, November 21<sup>st</sup> with the lighting of over
1,000 luminaries throughout the district, followed by the lighting of the
holiday tree. New this year will be the addition of colored up-lights on the
trees in the park, as well as electric decorative displays on the light poles.
Santa Comes to town on Saturday in the Holiday Parade of Lights, and will take
up residence at Santa’s House in the Square for photographs with children
and families. Medina Presbyterian Church will present a Live Nativity from 4-7
on Saturday. Sunday’s activities include live entertainment, including
the <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:PlaceType w:st="on">University</st1:PlaceType> of
<st1:PlaceName w:st="on">Akron Steel Drum Ensemble</st1:PlaceName></st1:place>,
corn hole tournament, carriage rides, and more old-fashioned fun for the whole
family.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'>To participate in the Holiday Parade of Lights, please contact Michel
Brewer at 330-721-4010 or 330-725-5949. School and church music groups or
choirs are encouraged to volunteer their time and share the gift of holiday
sounds by contacting Denise Trudell at 330-730-9284. For more information or
sponsorship opportunities, please contact Event Coordinator Denise Trudell at
330-730-9284. Sponsorships must be committed by October 6<sup>th</sup>, 2008,
to be included in the official event program<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'>For a full list of events and activities, check <a
href="http://www.mainstreetmedina.com/">www.mainstreetmedina.com</a> beginning
October 1, 2008.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'>###<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
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face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
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