DBA boosts business for all

The Sulphur Springs Downtown Business Alliance, better known as SSDBA, is a non-profit organization invested in the growth and success of business in our town.

Established by a group of forward-thinking business owners a couple of decades ago, DBA leaders in 2022 were President Lara Colby, co-owner of The Magic Scoop, and Vice President Marlene DeYong, owner of Marlene’s Sass and Class Boutique. Linda Galligher served as Treasurer and Lynn Chianese as Secretary plus directors Billie Ruth Standbridge, Lynda Hager, and Amanda Tredway. New officers are elected annually, and in early 2023, the membership will elect new officers. “A strong member base is important, because when we work together, we get a lot accomplished”, was the sentiment echoed by both Lara and Marlene during an interview at the Sulphur Springs News Telegram office. “2023 can be a great year, and anyone can become a member, to take a share in the many ways we work to attract business to our town. And not just downtown, but for all business in Sulphur Springs”.

DBA hosts a number of local public events annually, including vendor markets and car shows. The Heritage Car Show on Nov. 5, 2022 once again brought in a wide variety of entries, yielding over $2,200 in entry fees, merchandise sales and sponsor donations. Christmas Market on Dec. 3, 2022 brought 60 vendor booths lining Main and Gilmer Streets plus plenty of Christmas spirit and a brisk shopping atmosphere. And the busy members of DBA were also out the night before, helping with the official ‘lighting of the Christmas Tree’ on Celebration Plaza prior to the Lions Club Lighted Christmas Parade. DBA members have a history of support to other local activities which boost business, too, such as the Independence Concert, the History by Foot tours, downtown Flea Markets and the Ladies Night Out shopping events. “While we do work hard, members also have a lot of fun pitching in together to help a good cause”, stated Marlene.

They continued, “To highlight a few past accomplishments of DBA, the Rudy Bruner Award stands out. The national award discovers and celebrates urban places that are distinguished by quality design along with social and economic contributions. In 2019, the City of Sulphur Springs won a silver award in the Small Cities category. This happened during the final stages of our Downtown Revitalization project. The monetary prize was used to improve our town by installing Wifi for the entire downtown district. A plaque on Celebration Plaza reminds visitors of our award status! Along with the City, our entire population of merchants and people with vision accomplished this feat. Also, after the Wifi was installed, we became home to a Tesla charging station in our downtown, the only one on I-30 between Dallas and Texarkana, and we continue to see visitors here because of that draw.

Lara and Marlene further reminisced by bringing up this summer’s Jettribe USA Mid-America Championship here on Coleman Lake. “That national event, which drew competitors from the US, Australia, Canada and Europe, was held in our home town due to a national chain with local ties. Once the Sulphur Springs City Council approved the jet skis on the lake, the event was on! Tony Vo with Jettribe’s local distribution center wanted it to be held here, so you see what kind of boost local business and industry can bring to our town”.

The discussion turned to the latter weeks of 2022. November’s Heritage Car Show, a very successful annual event of DBA, turned out surprisingly successful, due to storms and tornadoes across our region the night before. However, the morning dawned bright and crisp, and most of the entries arrived in showroom shine condition for the show. Some drove in and others had stayed the night in our hotels. Sulphur Springs is one of the few car shows still going on in this part of the Ark-la-Tex,, and those who like to show their vehicles off appreciate our quality event. They, along with our own residents love our downtown, and enjoy the car show, dining and shopping. They also enjoy our courthouse, our Veterans Memorial and our courthouse plaza atmosphere. “Events like the Car Show take a small army of DBA volunteers, but they spark energy and get people here, and get the local people out”, agreed the pair.

DBA December events closed the year on a successful note. The Christmas Tree Lighting on Dec. 2 brought Santa Claus back for the first time since Covid. And Christmas Market on Main proved another hit with 60-plus outdoor vendors drawing customers and providing downtown merchants with additional shoppers. Want to join DBA? Meetings are held on the third Tuesday of each month at the Hopkins County Chamber of Commerce office at 5:30 p.m. Visit sulphurspringsdba. com or on Facebook. Or stop in and ask Lara or Marlene at their downtown shops.

DBA is a great resource to have a voice in making good things happen for the business people of Sulphur Springs, Texas!

DBA Mission Statement

The primary mission of the Downtown Business Alliance is to develop and maintain a working partnership between local business leaders and local government as well as other advisory boards dedicated to the continued development of Downtown Sulphur Springs.

Secondly, to provide support for merchants and property owners and to encourage community pride in downtown, by recreating the charm and relaxed atmosphere of small town Texas through an enjoyable and safe place to shop, dine and conduct business.