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Downtown business outreach, holiday events and incentives announced
Summary
The Defiance Development and Visitors Bureau will host monthly merchant meetings beginning Feb. 25, 2026; the bureau is running a downtown receipt-incentive through Dec. 7 and announced Santa's arrival (Dec. 5) and a ticketed 'Cookie Crumble' (Dec. 6).
Defiance — The Defiance Development and Visitors Bureau told council on Nov. 25 that it will hold monthly merchant meetings in 2026 and invited council members to attend a kickoff on Feb. 25 at 9:30 a.m. at the bureau office (325 Clinton Street).
Steve Tracy, the bureau director, said the merchant meetings will provide updates on downtown projects, events and marketing training to help local businesses improve their online presence and boost sales. Tracy also described a downtown shopping incentive that runs through Dec. 7: shoppers can bring receipts to the bureau office and receive gift certificates redeemable at participating downtown businesses.
Tracy highlighted upcoming holiday events: Santa's arrival at the 1918 Building on Dec. 5 coordinated with a tree 'flip the switch' event involving the commissioner's office, and a ticketed 'Cookie Crumble' on Dec. 6 limited to 200 tickets at $15 each with 15 participating businesses offering a total of 19 cookies across stops.
Tracy agreed to send calendar invites and location details to council staff so members can attend the Feb. 25 merchant meeting and maintain regular dialogue with downtown business owners.
