Truckee non-profit praises community support as they reach the historic milestones.
Written by Tamsin Edwards
Photos by Erskine Photography
The community of Truckee was graciously thanked by the Truckee Downtown Merchants Association (TDMA) this week, ahead of the association’s 50th-anniversary celebrations next month.
Since 1969, TDMA has worked tirelessly and enthusiastically with the local merchant community to support and sustain a vibrant and vital downtown for the enjoyment of locals and visitors alike. The longstanding non-profit has dedicated itself to understanding the evolving needs of the community, ensuring economic success of businesses, providing sustainable and necessary maintenance of the infrastructure of the area, and, most of all, preserving the historic beauty and cultural heart of this small mountain town. Its members are passionately driven to cultivate community and connection, and this is evident in the number of events they have established, supported, and helped coordinate over the years.
Continental Cuisine
Truckee is a foodie’s haven. After a long day on the slopes in winter, or an afternoon spent lakeside in summer, historic Downtown Truckee provides a multitude of delicious options for the hungry visitor. Nestled among historic archways and saloons, and with the backdrop of a whistling train or live music, it offers everything from world-class culinary dishes to rustic and charming cafés, with many a hip brewery or old-fashioned milkshake thrown in for good measure.
Culture, art, and an extensive history permeate the relaxing streets in many different guises throughout the year, and TDMA has been at the forefront of establishing many of them. Events such as Festive Fridays, summer’s famous Truckee Thursdays, the Fourth of July parade, and the Trick or Treat on Downtown Streets and Halloween Parade but a few of the cultural highlights of downtown that draw crowds and much-needed business to the area.
Sustained Support
Communication and collaboration with multiple Truckee-based supporting organizations — such as the Town of Truckee, Sierra Business Council, Truckee Arts Alliance, and the Truckee Chamber of Commerce — has been vital to the continued growth of TDMA and enabled it to provide a much-needed link for the merchants on the street and the decision-making boards, proving to be a winning formula over the many years that the TDMA has been in operation.
“By working together as one voice, we are more productive,” says Mike Preaseau, vice president, TDMA.
Cassie Hebel, TDMA’s executive director, echoes his sentiments on the importance of working as one for the benefit of all.
“TDMA is about community,” Hebel says. “We work to ensure economic vitality, historical preservation, and beautification of the heart and soul of Truckee for a viable, sustainable, and livable Truckee we call home!”
An evening of celebration will be held on May 16th at 6 p.m. at the Community Arts Center. For more details on TDMA, visit Historictruckee.com
Tamsin Edwards is a South Lake Tahoe resident who frequently escapes to Truckee for a dose of much-needed culture, history, and art. You’ll find her most weeks of the summer at any one of the drool-worthy food stands during Truckee Thursday celebrations.
