Belton Journal recently honored by DBMA

Tuesday, 14 February 2012 by Berneta Peeples

Belton Journal publisher David Tuma, center, receives a certificate of appreciation from the DBMA last week.The Downtown Belton Merchants Association made plans for its fourth year of operation at its annual meeting Jan. 26 at Britt Drug Store's recently opened old-time soda fountain. Erma Elser recently elected two-year term president, conducted the business meeting and presented The Belton Journal a certificate of appreciation recognizing The Journal's support in the creation of DBMA and support of the Third Saturday of the Month Market Days. David Tuma, owner/publisher of The Journal, accepted the certificate.

The initial meeting of the downtown business owners was held in late January of 2009 at Vintage Daze under the auspices of the Visionaries in Preservation program of the City of Belton.

VIP is based on revitalization of historically significant downtown areas state wide. Downtown revitalization in old towns and cities is an on-going program of the Texas Historical Commission.

Owners of antique stores in the 200 block of E. Central Ave. are principals in organizing DBMA with the creation of Market Days.

Today vendors come from a wide Central Texas area and as far away as San Saba, Dallas and San Antonio. Records show an average vendor participation of 50-60. The highest number was 104 in December 2009, with 90 the preceding November.

New officers for 2012-13 Erma Elser, president; Michele Moore, vice president and volunteers coordinator; Ami Kachner, secretary; Wendy Collier, treasurer; Sandy Bigham, vendors coordinator; Bennie Carroll, marketing chairman and Berneta Peeples, parliamentarian.

For vendor reservations, call Sandy Bigham at 254-721-4693 or see website at downtownbelton.com.