With a new website and a business-of-the-month feature, Newport is doubling down on efforts to turn Monmouth Street into a magnet for visitors and business owners.
Newport has created a new website and monthly business spotlight to attract more attention and increase foot traffic to Monmouth Street, a main thoroughfare in the city stretching from the Newport Shopping Center to the Newport on the Levee.
The MeetonMonmouth.com website showcases local eateries, experiences, lodging and events in Monmouth and surrounding York Street and Washington Avenue. The new website serves as a comprehensive guide for residents and visitors, offering:
Business Directory: Explore a curated list of local eateries, bars, shops and services.
Event Calendar: Stay updated on upcoming events, festivals, and community gatherings.
Historical Insights: Delve into the storied past of Monmouth Street and its transformation over the decades.
Exclusive Deals: Discover special offers and promotions from local businesses.
Newport Economic Development Coordinator John Willis said the website intends to help out-of-towners find places to visit. He said the city hopes it clearly communicates to people visiting or in town for a conference to see what all the options are close by quickly.
Aside from visitors, Willis said the goal is to attract more businesses that will increase the vibrancy of Monmouth. He said the website is a landing page for prospective business owners. There is a contact form on the website for folks interested in starting a business on the street.
“We want, when people think of Monmouth, to think of an open, vibrant street where they can bounce from place to place,” Willis said. “Monmouth was the heart of Sin City. It’s not erasing that history, it’s interesting history, but celebrating how far things have come.”
The website also shows the history of the street from the past to today.
“With MeetOnMonmouth.com, we’re providing a platform that not only showcases our rich history and thriving businesses but also fosters community engagement and economic growth,” said City Manager John Hayden.
As part of the website launch, the city also started a monthly business spotlight. This month’s feature is Dixie Chilli. Willis sat down with Spiros Sarakatsannis, whose family has run Dixie since its inception.
The spotlight’s purpose is to meet the business owners where they are and get their story. Newport plans to highlight a new business every month, whether it be a restaurant, retail, salon, etc., and be archived on the website. Willis said the feature also gives the city another chance to contact the business owners to show they are supported.