Main Street Tehachapi making major changes in 2020, Valentines Wine Walk canceled

Most Tehachapi residents know Main Street Tehachapi (MST) from the many fun and entertaining events that bring residents and out of towners to the historic downtown area, such as the Valentines Wine and Chocolate Walk, the Ugly Sweater Wine Walk, the summer Sip Sip Hurray Wine Walk and the Summer Farmers Market.

MST is currently an all-volunteer organization, although in the early years there were employees funded through the Tehachapi Redevelopment Agency. A hard-working Board of Directors keeps the organization alive with their love of Tehachapi and desire to keep the Downtown area a fun, thriving business district which is the heart of Tehachapi. Without employees, many of the events and programs of MST had to be eliminated.

Main Street is now facing another change in direction for 2020. Much of the vibrancy of Downtown is due to Main Street’s efforts by partnering with Downtown businesses and the City of Tehachapi. Through the years, the City has supported MST’s efforts by helping in planning, and providing event assistance from public works and police support for events.

After careful consideration, the Board of Directors has made the decision to cancel the February Wine Walk originally scheduled for Feb. 8, 2020. We plan to bring it back in a big way in 2021! The Board will meet in early January to come up with exciting new events that will continue to provide recreational opportunities for the residents of Tehachapi and the promotion of Downtown Tehachapi in the future. We have already started the planning for the 2020 Farmers Market held in Downtown Tehachapi.

The restructuring of Main Street will require the recruiting of new Board members, volunteers, and the restarting of a Membership Program. As a Downtown redevelopment organization, we will be going back to the roots of Main Street by calling on Downtown businesses and property owners to help share the burden of the volunteer work needed and their active participation.

Started 20 years ago, the Main Street program follows guidelines from the National Trust for Historic Preservation with a four-point program to rehabilitate, preserve and enhance business districts. Help is given to business owners with advertising, store design, business outreach and other topics. The Murals program, a project started in the initial year of MST, was a tremendous boost to Downtown and a favorite of residents.

Through the years, many individuals have given countless hours volunteering and local businesses have been major sponsors of MST events, providing entertainment and community events that enhance life in Tehachapi. The current Board would like to thank all those who have helped in the past to help create our unique Downtown.

Recently MST has provided $20,000 in grants to Downtown businesses for façade improvements and repainting. Last year $5,000 was donated to assist the City with the purchase of Christmas decorations to enhance the street lights. Funding was also provided to the Errea House Museum for the relocation of the garden. Past projects have included the building of Railroad Park, the Murals project, and a $5,000 donation to the Depot renovation project. Fundraising for Downtown improvements is an important part of Main Street’s mission.

If you have any questions, or for more information, please send an email to MST at [email protected] or call Charles White at (661) 972-0958.