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Red Cedar museum reports visitor surge, seeks up to $5,000 for gift-shop restock
Summary
The Red Cedar Historical Society reported steep visitor and sales increases this spring and discussed asking the city for up to $5,000 to restock the museum gift shop; board members debated whether to create a subaccount, borrow up front, or use restricted funds.
The Red Cedar Historical Society board discussed a proposal to restock its gift shop after the museum reported a sharp rise in visitors and retail sales this season.
At the meeting the society’s director, Kelly, said year-to-date revenues from July 1 to May 11 rose to about $40,000 this year, up from roughly $20,000 for the same span last year. "From year to date, from July 1 to May 11, 2025, we were around $20,000 in revenue. This year, July 1 to May 11, we're at $40,000 in revenue," Kelly said, describing inventory shortages of books, maps and shirt sizes and explaining the board of aldermen has completed a first reading of a budget amendment that could make up to $5,000 available for the shop.
Volunteers who staff the shop provided day-by-day sales as evidence of demand: one volunteer reported a day with 105 visitors and $653.79 in sales, another day with 95 visitors and $995.76, and a busy Mother’s Day with 120 visitors and more than $800 in sales. "We had a 120 in attendance, and we sold over $800, $816.95 in items," the volunteer said.
Board members clarified that even if the aldermen approve funds, the city must process a formal budget amendment to move money into an appropriate expenditure account. That led to a discussion of options: creating a Red Cedar subaccount so revenue could be drawn for inventory, using a restricted nonprofit account the society inherited, or borrowing a small upfront amount from the city and repaying it as merchandise sold.
Some members urged testing expanded hours during holidays and special events to capture the visitor surge. Kelly said the aldermen already approved openings for Memorial Day and Labor Day on a trial basis, and suggested volunteers and occasional board presence could make increased hours feasible.
No formal board vote on a local appropriation occurred at the meeting; members asked staff to gather inventory counts, verify the balance in the restricted account, and bring options back to the board for formal action.
Next steps: board members said they will ask the board of aldermen about (1) the balance and allowable uses of the restricted account, (2) the possibility of creating a dedicated Red Cedar subaccount, and (3) whether a short-term city advance (repaid from sales) is permitted. The director also requested that staff supply a full inventory count so aldermen can evaluate any formal amendment.
