has long history in downtown

June 2011
|
www.fdlreporter.com
Business ‘Hopping’
at Downtown Silk
Screening Business
1
Advertising
Hot Spots
Upcoming events in
downtown
Fond du Lac
Bike
shop
has long
history
in downtown
Dorothy Bliskey | Special to The Reporter
John Bartow has had a long love affair with
bikes.
oversees a repair area where several repair
experts work day and night.
At age 14, he began repairing them
professionally alongside his dad, who
worked at Vern’s Bike Shop downtown. Now,
Bartow owns the bike shop, purchasing it
from the former owner 30 years ago.
“This time of year is our busiest,” Bartow
said.
Fond du Lac Cyclery and Fitness, Bartow’s
shop at 209 S. Main St., was formerly
Vern’s and later went by the name of Fond
du Lac Schwinn Cyclery.
Bartow’s wife Carol operates a second bike
shop in Oshkosh called Oshkosh Cyclery.
While the Oshkosh location has a larger
showroom, Fond du Lac Cyclery has a
larger storage and bike repair area. At any
given time, shoppers can choose from
approximately 200 bikes on display.
Brands like Trek, Cannondale and Giant
are a draw.
Bikes for all ages from kids to adults line
the showroom and fill the online screens
for at-home shoppers at the shop’s website
(www.fonddulaccyclery.com),
where
customers can link to the Trek website
and build the bike of their dreams. Known
as Trek’s “Project One,” the option allows
a person to customize the style and cost
of their bike by choosing the model, paint
scheme and desired components.
Leading brand
Trek’s worldwide corporate headquarters
is in Waterloo, Wis. — less than an hour
from Fond du Lac.
A good fit
A good share of the service the store
provides, he said, involves fitting the
person to the bike.
“We take into account the person’s weight
and height and make sure the bike is
comfortable for them,” he said.
Bikes from the hybrid series are the most
popular at Bartow’s shop.
“They are in between a mountain bike
and a road bike and great for comfort and
fitness,” Bartow said. “The hybrid series
fits more recreational riders.”
Many serious bikers who compete as triathletes and in races like the Ironman
choose Trek’s road racing bikes (tri-bikes),
and some are Bartow’s customers.
“This kind of racer will be evident when the
third annual Grand Prix Tour of America’s
Dairyland race comes downtown June 24,”
Bartow said.
He also notes that Fond du Lac has a
BMX racetrack. “We have a host of BMX
bicycles,” Bartow said.
Advances
Bikes have changed dramatically in
the three decades Bartow has been in
business.
“Trek attracts a lot of people to our store,”
Bartow said. “It’s our leading brand and
has a very high quality product.”
“They are highly technical now,” he said.
“Back then, bikes were made of steel and
were heavier. Now, they are comprised of
lighter weight aluminum or carbon fiber.”
Fond du Lac Cyclery is a full-service retail
shop that sells and repairs all types of
bikes — from mountain bikes and hybrids
to road bikes, tandems, recumbent and
even electric bikes.
“Steel has been reintroduced though,”
Bartow said. “They are using a lighterweight version of steel on a segment of
Trek bikes. It’s viewed as a ‘green’ bike
because steel is recyclable.”
A fitness equipment area at Fond du Lac
Cyclery carries treadmills and a selection
of stationary exercise bikes.
Advances over the years are also evident in
bicycle shifting mechanisms, shocks, seat
and handlebar design, lights and many
other components, making biking more
comfortable and desirable.
In addition, a seemingly endless array
of accessories can be found in the shop
— bike helmets, racks, bags, baskets,
headlights, energy food, clothes, shoes,
and bike computers that track activities
like heart rate, average speed, maximum
speed and calories, to name a few.
Bartow, as a seasoned bike mechanic,
Hours at Fond du Lac Cyclery are MondayFriday, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., Saturday, 9 a.m. to 5
p.m., and Sunday, noon to 4 p.m. A customer
parking lot is located behind the store. For more
information, call (920) 923-3211 or visit online at
www.fonddulaccyclery.com.
Bartow gets involved in the community
with the focus on biking and fitness.
He serves on the bicycle committee for
the Fond du Lac area, the Healthy Kids
Coalition and the Race the Lake event. He
also donates bikes for no absentee awards
at Fond du Lac middle schools.
MIDDLE: Nine-year-old Ali Munger checks out a new bicycle at Fond du Lac Cyclery &
Fitness Center, 209 S. Main St. ABOVE: Mechanic Dylan Schneider works on a bike at Fond
du Lac Cyclery, a full-service retail shop that sells and repairs all types of bikes. (Patrick
Flood photos/The Reporter)
As for his own love of biking, he raced
competitively at one time and now bikes
the country roads for fun and fitness.
In recent years, Bartow has seen a
substantial increase in the adult bike
market.
“There will continue to be an increase in
commuter biking,” Bartow said. “Fitness
is the driving force.”
June 2011
2
| www.fdlreporter.com
Printing on sports uniforms,
trophies and more
keeps this business
Dorothy Bliskey | Special to The Reporter
Three years ago, Mark Hopper’s Custom
Silk Screening moved from North Fond du
Lac to 77 N. Main St. in downtown Fond
du Lac.
After more than 30 years in business, the
move brought Mark Hopper full circle —
back to Main Street where the idea for
getting into a sports-related business had
its earliest beginnings.
“I was born and raised into a sporting
goods family since my dad (Jack Hopper)
operated The Sport Shop on Main Street
for many years — the site where Sal’s
Pizza is now,” Hopper said.
The idea for a screen printing business
crystallized later, he said, when his dad
was running Hopper’s Ski and Sport
Center on West Johnson Street, now the
location of Gino’s Restaurant.
“We first operated the silk screening
business out of my dad’s ski shop on
Johnson Street,” Hopper said.
In 1984, he moved the business to North
Fond du Lac.
Location
The move to downtown Fond du Lac three
years ago was a good one, he said.
“We have had our best years in business
these last three years — in spite of the
recession.”
The location on a busy downtown
intersection tripled the size of available
workspace and offers a huge expanse of
display windows that Hopper believes has
made the difference.
“I’m a firm believer in location, location,
location,” he said.
The idea for his business began while
working alongside his dad.
“Being in the sporting good business,
we had many customers who were on
teams for various sports — bowling,
softball, baseball and other sports,”
Hopper said. “We always had to ship our
uniform printing out or have it done at the
manufacturing level — but that caused us
to lose control of our deadlines.”
He gained control of the deadlines when
he started his silk screening business
34 years ago and began doing all the
imprinting in-house.
Hopper’s imprints on sportswear for retail
and wholesale customers and has an
awards department that prints on plaques,
trophies, medals and other items for sports
and non-sports-related accomplishments.
A vinyl graphics department creates art
on cars, trucks and banners.
Imprinting
hopping
Baseball, wrestling, soccer and other
sports teams at all levels from across the
United States and other countries utilize
the expertise of the imprinting that can be
accomplished at Hopper’s.
“Our busiest time is April, May and June
due to Little League, soccer and other
summer sports,” Hopper said. “We imprint
10,000 shirts for 400 entire teams during
this time. We call it our heyday.”
While a major portion of the 15,000-squarefoot facility is used for printing, engraving
and graphic design work that takes place
behind-the-scenes, a front showroom is
stocked with sports-related clothing for
off-the-rack purchases.
“Badger items are huge for us,” he said.
“We even have people coming up from
Madison for it.”
Other showroom selections include
professional team sportswear such as the
Brewers and sports-related clothing for
athletes and fans at Fond du Lac and area
schools. Novelty T-shirts and plain T-shirts
in an array of colors are available.
Screen printing remains a popular method
in the industry, although Hopper’s uses
high-tech digital printing directly onto
garments as well.
Hopper’s has 5,000 silk screen frames in
its warehouse area, with some more than
30 years old.
“The average screen print shop has 100,”
Hopper said. “We go through 30 screens
(30 different designs) a day. We also make
screens for others.”
TOP: Hopper family members gather inside Mark Hopper’s Custom Silk Screening, 77 N.
Main St. From left are John, Dave, Kim, Jack (front), Mark and Katie. The business is a familyrun operation that got its start more than 30 years ago. (Patrick Flood/The Reporter)
Family business
The business is a family-run operation.
Mark and his wife Kim own and oversee
the operation on a daily basis, bringing
their four adult children on board as well.
Oldest son David has worked for his
parents 21 years and in every department.
John, on staff 10 years, is in charge of IT,
handles all awards such as engraving on
plaques and trophies, and specializes in
banners and removable vinyl graphics
that mimic permanent art on cars and
trucks.
master printer; Andy Scherg, screening
technologist; Tammy Iloncaie, graphic
artist; and Michelle Novak, customer
service manager.
“We think of all our employees as
family,” Hopper said. “This is really our
home away from home. We spend a lot
of time here but enjoy working together
as a family.”
It didn’t take long to get involved in the
They continue to consult with son Scott,
who worked at the business in the past.
They have purchased some production
machinery from him.
Daughter Katie, who is due to graduate
from college and embark on a teaching
career, is employed as a seasonal worker.
Other employees include Jeff Rosenthal,
Experience Downtown Fond du lac is published by The
Reporter, Fond du Lac. Contents of this section are published for The
Reporter. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval
system or transmitted in any form or by means, electronic, mechanical,
photocopying, recording or otherwise, without prior consent of The Reporter. For more information, contact
Michael Mentzer, managing editor, at 920-907-7910 or e-mail mmentzer@fdlreporter.com.
downtown community once Hopper’s
moved to Main Street. Hopper serves on
the board for the Fond du Lac Downtown
Partnership. His company recently
donated $14,500 to the Officer Craig
Birkholz fundraising effort, shipping
shirts to 32 states and three countries.
“I have always believed in giving back
to the community that so graciously
supports us,” Hopper said.
Stitch Graphics, a garment embroidery business, is housed
within Mark Hopper’s Custom Silk Screening business.
Hopper’s utilizes its embroidery services on some projects.
For more information on Mark Hopper’s Custom Silk
Screening, call 922-3050 or visit online at www.hopperwear.
com. Hours are Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.; and
Saturday, 9 a.m. to noon.
General Manager/Executive Editor: Richard Roesgen
Managing Editor: Michael Mentzer | Contributing Writer: Dorothy Bliskey
Photography: Patrick Flood | Graphic Artist: Heather Nohr
Advertising Director: Lisa O’Halloran | Advertising Manager: Jen Memmel
Circulation Manager: Greg Fyvie | Wisconsin Production Center Manager: Tina Tweedale
If you would like to be a part of, or receive information on advertising rates for this monthly section,
please call Liz Engh at 920-907-7904 or email her at, lengh@gannett.com.
June 2011
| www.fdlreporter.com
3
For more information on what’s happening in downtown Fond du Lac,
call 920.921.9500 or log on to www.downtownfdl.com
Surprises in store
for this year’s Sidewalk Sale!
The Downtown Fond du Lac Sidewalk Sale will take place July 9 from 8 a.m. – 2 p.m.
This fun-filled event is the perfect way to discover the hidden treasures of downtown
Fond du Lac in a fun outdoor atmosphere. Downtown businesses will be offering huge
savings and great deals on their products and services, so remember to mark your
calendars and head downtown on July 9!
This year’s Sidewalk Sale will feature two new activities sure to bring added fun and
excitement to the event. The Downtown Fond du Lac Partnership has teamed up with
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Fond du Lac County to host a chalk art drawing contest.
“Chalk it Up to Start Something Big” will consist of artists of all levels creating works
of art in the Nielsen Plaza. Artists will use sidewalk chalk and other blending tools to
transform sections of plain sidewalk into something beautiful. For more information
contact Deb Miller at (920) 922-8200.
In addition, Fox Valley Savings Bank will sponsor the first ever “Cash Cart” during the
event. As in the past, four golf carts will be driving up and down Main Street during the
Sidewalk Sale, but only one will be the “Cash Cart.” Mirrored after the popular TV Show
“Cash Cab” participants will have their chance to win cash prizes for correct answers to
downtown trivia questions. Wrong answer? Lose your winnings and lose your ride!
Check the DFP’s Facebook page often; Cash Cart trivia questions and answers will be
posted at random during the week of the Sidewalk Sale.
Thank you to our golf cart sponsors: Gallery & Frame Shop, The Goldsmith, Edith’s
Bridal, and Chase Bank
Thank you to our activity sponsors: Fox Valley Savings Bank and Big Brothers Big
Sisters of Fond du Lac County.
1 - Ahern Gross, Inc.
2 - All the Details, LLC
3 - Fox Valley
Savings Bank
4 - Gallery & Frame Shop
5 - Hopper’s
Silk Screen Printing
6 - Jack’s Team Sports
7 - Woods
Floral & Gifts
Our “Advertising Hot Spots” displays the locations of our
valued advertisers in this special section. You can easily find their
locations on the map and then find their ads within these pages to
find the great specials and deals that they have to offer you!
June 2011
4
| www.fdlreporter.com
For more information on what’s happening in downtown Fond du Lac,
call 920.921.9500 or log on to www.downtownfdl.com
June 21, 22, 23, 24
HealthWorks Street Fair
per guest / infants under 1 are free; 51 Sheboygan St.
Exploring Painting
Jennabee Art Gallery & Studio; 11am-Noon (Ages 5-11);
12:30pm-1:30pm (Ages 12-18); $10 per class, $35 for the
week!
Childrens Museum of Fond du Lac, 51 Sheboygan Street;
2:00 - 5:00pm; FREE
Summer is perfect for camping and what’s more fun
than singing songs aroung the campfire? Free with paid
admission on Fridays in July and August.
We will be using out of the ordinary items to paint and
paint with. Past classes have used pudding to paint with
for the younger children! Also included, but not limited to,
are watercolor and tempra paints.
• FREE snacks for kids!
June 22
• Visit each station and receive FREE admission that day
to the Children’s Museum
Art Around Town Begins
Childrens Museum of Fond du Lac, 51 Sheboygan St.; 9:15
- 10:00am; $35 for members / $55 for non-members; Ages:
3-5 years old; Instructor: Amanda Lehtola, MFA
Lighthouses, Lake Winnebago, soccer fields, waterslides,
windmills and farms...Little ones will be proud to display
their artwork, inspired by local landmarks. This class
offers a perfect combination of activity and art time!
Cermamics Around the World (Session A) Begins
Childrens Museum of Fond du Lac, 51 Sheboygan St.;
10:30-noon; $40 for members / $60 for non-members;
Ages: 6-10
The Health Works Street Fair will be on Sheboygan Street,
between Partland and Marr.
• Exercise and healthy eating tips
• Scavenger hunt at the FDL Public Library • Food
vendors and face painting with Betty Trent
Special thanks to our sponsor Agnesian HealthaCare!
Kids Bike Race
Childrens Museum of Fond du Lac, 51 Sheboygan Street;
2:00 - 6:00pm; FREE;Age Groups: 5 & under, 6-7, 8-9, 1011 and 12-13; Call (920) 929-0707 to register.
Kids activities take place on Sheboygan Street, between
Portland and Marr.
2:00pm ~ Family fun activities and bike decorating
5:00pm ~ Kid’s bike race and parade (helmets required)
DFP - Downtown Morning Exchange
Downtown Fond du Lac Partnership; 8 to 9 a.m. YMCA, 90
W. 2nd Street, FDL
Here’s a chance to meet your fellow downtown business
associates, share a cup of coffee and friendship, along with
the latest downtown news from the Downtown Fond du
Lac Partnership.
Chalk It Up and Start Something Big! This is a sidewalk
art festival for artists of all ages and levels of ability. This
competition is sponsored by Big Brothers Big Sisters. The
fee is $12 for 18 and under, and $15 for those over 18, and
includes one space, one box of 48 chalks, one set of latex
gloves and a sponge for blending - additional materials for
purchase during event. Squares will be approximately 4.5
ft. by 4 ft. in size. Registration Forms are available at the
Fond du Lac Area Association of Commerce. Deadline to
register is July 5.
Grand Opening of Just 4 Kidz Boutique, LLC
Sunday Stories
Sidewalk Sale
Childrens Museum of Fond du Lac, 51 Sheboygan Street;
11:30-12pm; $4.25 per guest, infants under 1 are free
Sponsored by the Downtown Fond du Lac Partnership; 8
a.m. to 2 p.m.
Museum visitors are invited to hear a story enhanced with
creative dramatics and group participation. Featuring
selections from the New York Public Library’s “100
Picture Books Everyone Should Know”, participants will
be inspired by literature to create art and fun! Program is
free with paid admission. No reservations are necessary.
Great Deals! Farmers Market! Family Fun! Join us for
a fun-filled open shopping experience as vendors and
merchants line Main St. Nielsen Plaza will be the site
of Chalk It Up!, and join in the fun with ‘Cash Cart’
opportunities!
Painting Class
June 23
Sponsored by the Downtown Fond du Lac Partnership; 7
a.m. to 2 p.m.; $12 under age 18, $15 over age 18; Nielson
Plaza
June 26
• Savings bonds to winners.
Oil, Acrylic, and Watercolor. Each week we will be learning
a new skill specific to the classes needs. Bring your own
materials $10. To use the Gallery materials $15.
Chalk It Up!
45 N Main St, Fond du Lac WI; 8 am to 2 pm; From now
until our Grand opening you may enter your name to win
great prizes with each purchase made. Drawing will be
held at 2pm. Must not be present to win. Come join the
fun and excitement. There will be prizes and a coloring
contest for kids.
• Prizes given to all kids who participate.
Young artists will enjoy exploring cermamics from around
the world as they are inspired by literature, history and
traditions. Children will create their own traditional black
and white pinch pot, Tang Dynasty animal sculpture and
Japanese tea bowl. Instructed by Amanda Lehtola, MFA.
Jennabee Art Gallery & Studio; 7:00-8:00pm; $10 per class
July 9
• Bags of goodies.
June 28
Found Object Sculpture
Jennabee Art Gallery & Studio; 11:30am-12:30pm (Ages
5-11); 1pm-2pm (Ages 12-18); $10 per class, $35 for the
week!
June 24
We will tap into our creative problem solving skills while
we take found objects and turn them into 3D sculptures!
Fond du Lac Bicycling Gran Prix
Painting Class
Sponsored by the Downtown Fond du Lac Partnership
Jennabee Art Gallery & Studio; 7:00-8:00pm; $10 per class
Fond du Lac is busy planning its third year of downtown
bicycle races. We have races for licensed racers, a high
schol race, and kids! The Gran Prix is part of an 11-day
series of amateur and professional bicycle races licensed
under USA Cycling. We have some great, involved sponsors
and planning partners. Our race is held on downtown Fond
du Lac streets, filled with beautiful and historic buildings.
We have lots of great places to eat, drink, and just hang
out.
Oil, Acrylic, and Watercolor. Each week we will be
learning a new skill specific to the classes needs. Bring
your own materials $10. To use the Gallery materials $15.
June 29
Family Art Night
Jennabee Art Gallery & Studio; 6pm-7pm; $10 per family!
This class is to get families to work together and create
a unique art piece! We will focus on FUN and working
together as a family! All ages and abilities are welcome.
June 29 & 30; July 1
Found Object Sculpture
Jennabee Art Gallery & Studio; 11:30am-12:30pm (Ages
5-11); 1pm-2pm (Ages 12-18); $10 per class, $35 for the
week!
We will tap into our creative problem solving skills while
we take found objects and turn them into 3D sculptures!
July 3
Sunday Stories
Childrens Museum of Fond du Lac, 51 Sheboygan Street;
11:30-12pm; $4.25 per guest, infants under 1 are free
Museum visitors are invited to hear a story enhanced with
creative dramatics and group participation. Featuring
selections from the New York Public Library’s “100
Picture Books Everyone Should Know”, participants will
be inspired by literature to create art and fun! Program is
free with paid admission. No reservations are necessary.
July 10
Sunday Stories
Childrens Museum of Fond du Lac, 51 Sheboygan Street;
11:30-12pm; $4.25 per guest, infants under 1 are free
Museum visitors are invited to hear a story enhanced with
creative dramatics and group participation. Featuring
selections from the New York Public Library’s “100
Picture Books Everyone Should Know”, participants will
be inspired by literature to create art and fun! Program is
free with paid admission. No reservations are necessary.
July 12
3D Collage (Ages 15+)
Jennabee Art Gallery & Studio; 5pm-6:30pm; $10 per
person
Discover how to recylce your greeting cards into cool new
art! You can even place photos in them and use the ideas
for scrapbooking! ECO Friendly!
July 12, 13, 14, 15
Green Scrap Booking (Children)
Jennabee Art Gallery & Studio; 1pm-2pm; $10 per class,
$35 for the week!
Each participant will recieve a book to begin their
scraping. Bring Memoribilia!! We will also be using recyled
greeting cards and other objects to make unique pages for
the scrapbooks!
July 13
Green Scrap Booking (Adults)
Jennabee Art Gallery & Studio; 5:30pm-7pm; $15 per
person
Each participant will recieve a book to begin their
scraping. Bring Memoribilia!! We will also be using recyled
greeting cards and other objects to make unique pages for
the scrapbooks!
Painting Class
Jennabee Art Gallery & Studio; 7:00-8:00pm;$10 per class
Painting Class
Oil, Acrylic, and Watercolor. Each week we will be
learning a new skill specific to the classes needs. Bring
your own materials $10. To use the Gallery materials $15.
Jennabee Art Gallery & Studio; 7:00-8:00pm; $10 per class
July 15
July 6
Oil, Acrylic, and Watercolor. Each week we will be
learning a new skill specific to the classes needs. Bring
your own materials $10. To use the Gallery materials $15.
July 8
Songs Around the Campfire
Childrens Museum of Fond du Lac; 11:00 - 11:30am; $4.25
Songs Around the Campfire
Childrens Museum of Fond du Lac, 51 Sheboygan St.;
11:00 - 11:30am; $4.25 per guest, infants under 1 are free
Summer is perfect for camping and what’s more fun
than singing songs aroung the campfire? Free with paid
admission on Fridays in July and August.