Home Welcome By the Numbers Our Door is Always Open Fremont Area Chamber Small Business, Big Dreams Education Getting Fit Map of Fremont Home for the Homeless Housing Your First Stop for Business News Briefs Recreation Churches Seasonal Events       home | fremont news | chamber of commerce | sponsors | contact us Small Business, Big ... DREAMS Young business leaders are finding success in Fremont. Some of whom are still under the age of 30. Impressed? Dusty Reynolds and Tim Francis, both age 24, have been close friends since junior high, but never imagined that their friendship would become a successful business partnership. They began talking seriously in their later years of college about opening up a shop together in the printing field. Francis, a 2003 graduate of Midland Lutheran College in art, and Reynolds, a 2003 graduate of the University of Nebraska–Kearney in marketing, began asking around and soon found that many potential customers only used one or two outlets for their screen printing. The result became D&T Shirtified, an in-house graphic arts and screen printing shop. The two entrepeneurs opened their shop in December 2004, and since then have seen some remarkable success. Some of their more notable clients: the Denver Nuggets professional basketball team, the Colorado Avalanche professional hockey team, the University of Nebraska–Lincoln, the University of Nebraska–Kearney and Midland Lutheran College in Fremont. These two are not the only young adults to see the fruits of their labors. Just one block up the street you will find a 23-year old businessman with a wry smile. His game? “I like coffee,” owner Jordan Paden states. Paden had worked in food service for several years before the opportunity to take over The Rumor Mill Coffee Shop arose. He has only been the owner since the fall of 2004, but has already seen his business grow and diversify. The Rumor Mill no longer just serves coffee, they now offer a variety of soups, loose meat sandwiches, juice drinks and more. His business has had to stay agile and adapt to deal with the demands of his customers. When asked about his success, Paden credits hard work and late nights. You could also credit some of the success to competition, “Competition brings out the best in people.” Paden said. Just a few doors away from The Rumor Mill, you can stop in at The Blue Bottle Coffee Shop. Ginger Rosenthal, age 30, served her first cup of coffee in 2003 in a different downtown location, but soon outgrew her surroundings. Within two years she moved into a shop more than doubling her capacity. The Blue Bottle is a more traditional style coffee shop with lots of open area and includes a library and lounge in the back. Rosenthal offers a wide variety of traditional and exotic coffees, beans by the bag and small sandwiches and rolls. But it’s more than just a coffee shop, Rosenthal has found additional success providing some weekend and evening culture. Live music, poetry readings and comedians occasionally grace the patrons of the Blue Bottle with a bit of culture. “There are so many young talented Fremonter’s,” Rosenthal said, “They need an outlet for their creativity.” These young business men and women have added a new spark to a growing downtown marketplace. “These young people are vital to the downtown area.” Bob Missel, owner of Sampter’s Clothier said. Sampter’s is just one of the many historic and established retailers in the downtown district. Other retail anchors in the downtown include Buck’s Shoes, Schweser’s (women’s clothier), Lou’s Sporting Goods and Krasne’s Home Furnishing. Missel added that it is great to see all of the new businesses and restaurants in the downtown, as well as the many ongoing streetside improvements including map kiosks and new light poles and fixtures that represent the rich history of Fremont’s downtown. Fremont’s Historic Downtown District is also the home of “Eastern Nebraska’s Antique Captial.” Nine quality antique shops have made their mark throughout the region. There are currently more than 220 businesses in the 30 block downtown area serving an important role to the residents of Fremont. Movies, Malls and More Recent development on 23rd Street is bringing big city retail to Fremont. All the way across town there are dozens of new options for shopping or just a night out. New restaurants including Lazlo’s Brewery and Grill, Applebee’s, Sonic Drive-In and more have given residents and passers-by more options to eat than ever before. Additionally, new retail options have been constructed such as Tractor Supply Company and a new Menard’s super store. A blending of old and new have accented a revitalizing Fremont Mall, making shopping out of town a thing of the past. Included in the Mall area are seven movie screens and several retail and eating options, perfect for a night on the town. home | fremont news | chamber of commerce | sponsors | contact us