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Lisa Oetken celebrates 20 years on Main Street
Reflections from the head of the Mt. Pleasant Main Street Alliance regarding her legacy and the future
Southeast Iowa Union offers audio versions of articles using Instaread. Some words may be mispronounced.
MT. PLEASANT - Lisa Oetken has been downtown for more than 20 years.
Once the owner of a retail store, she was asked in 2005 to serve on the Main Street Promotions Committee.
“That experience,” Oetken says, “helped me see firsthand how much planning, teamwork, and heart went into supporting our downtown.”
Starting as a volunteer, Oetken put in her time. Her passion for local culture and business was recognized, and in the very same year, became Executive Director of the organization.
In her eyes, one of her toughest challenges was Union Block. A beautiful 1861-built structure of brick and mortar, this building held the offices of Bella Mansfield, the first woman in the United States to practice law. Its upstairs hosted such important activists as Fredrick Douglass, Anna Dickinson, and perhaps even Elizabeth Cady Stanton, abolitionists and proponents of women’s suffrage. After a fire in 2011, Main Street and the community raised funds to save the building.
“These historic buildings are essential pieces of our identity, but bringing them back to life required enormous resources, persistence, patience, and collaboration,” Oetken said.
But there are other troubles. In Oetken’s eyes, “A thriving downtown depends on balance,” a good mix of retail, restaurants, professional services, and apartments, “and ensuring that balance takes constant communication, recruitment, and long-range planning.”
But all this planning means nothing if the community does not support the cause, and, Oetken says, the people of Mt. Pleasant have been an incredible help.
“We are incredibly fortunate to have a supportive network in this community,” she said. “The greatest help has come from our dedicated volunteers, engaged business owners, strong partnerships with City leadership, and statewide support from Iowa Economic Development Authority and Main Street Iowa. Their expertise, encouragement, and willingness to collaborate have made transformational projects possible — the types of projects a small community can’t do alone.“
Oetken’s vision of the future is bright. She hopes for every storefront filled with diverse, locally owned, thriving businesses. Above those businesses, plentiful apartments. For everyone who lives in or visits Mt. Pleasant, a thriving, walkable downtown.
“I see downtown as a place that continues to grow, innovate, and evolve — while still honoring the history and craftsmanship that make Mt. Pleasant special,” she said. “A place where people come not just to shop, but to connect, celebrate, and experience community.“
The best way to support this vision? A preference for local shopping, local dining. She encourages the public to attend events, and bring their friends. To leave a positive review next time you visit a business you like. To make others aware of local events. To volunteer, invest, “...or simply show up.”
“Every purchase, every visit, and every kind word helps strengthen downtown,” she said. “When people choose local, they’re not just buying a product — they’re investing in the future of Mt. Pleasant.”
Call Marilyn Higgins at 319-368-8895 or email her at marilyn.higgins@southeastiowaunion.com
