Batavia Main Street outlines 2026 events, Boardwalk Shops and $5,000 marketing grant
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Summary
Batavia Main Street assistant director Kristen Dessler presented the 2026 event calendar, announced 10 new Boardwalk Shops opening May 8, promoted the March 21 wine-walk tickets ($39) and said the organization received a $5,000 Main Street America marketing grant to support TikTok, targeted email and SEO initiatives.
Kristen Dessler, assistant director of Batavia Main Street, told the City Council the organization is focusing 2026 programming on downtown businesses and promotion to attract regional visitors.
"Tickets for that event are on sale now at downtownbatavia.com. They're $39," Dessler said of the March 21 Step Into Spring wine walk, noting the event will include 14 locations serving 1-ounce pours. She said Main Street’s Hype Team — volunteers who promote downtown businesses — has grown to more than 20 members and that recent social media promotions generated more than 600 comments and $250 in downtown-dollars prizes returned to local businesses.
Dessler announced the Batavia Boardwalk Shops season opens May 8 with 10 new businesses selected by a competitive jury, highlighting an independent bookstore (Archives), Gindo's Spice of Life and Soda Surf, a 1950s-style soda shop. She said Main Street was awarded a $5,000 marketing grant from Main Street America to pilot TikTok content, targeted paid email blasts and SEO-focused blog content.
Dessler also noted monthly collaboration between Main Street and the city’s economic-development staff to support business retention and expansion. Council members asked about opening dates and plantings for sidewalk benches; Dessler and a project representative said final landscaping will be addressed by the project’s landscape architect.
Dessler closed by thanking volunteers and city staff and inviting interested downtown patrons to join the Hype Team via Main Street’s website.