GREEN BAY, Wis. (WFRV) – Main Street Commons in the Olde Main District has officially fully reopened after months of restoration, marking nearly two years since a reckless driver smashed into the building on July 24, 2023, causing nearly $6 million in damage and disrupting 14 businesses.
Green Bay Alderman Brian Johnson praised the restoration in a Facebook post, sharing a celebration with the building owner, Jim Brick.
While the wrecked portion of the building wasn’t fully rebuilt, the remaining structure has been repaired and features a new outdoor patio and public art paying homage to the site’s rich history.
Green Bay woman sentenced for recklessly crashing into Main Street Commons
Many local businesses affected by the crash have been financially rebuilding at a steady pace. Au Natural Cosmetics lost more than $5 million in inventory and equipment when its manufacturing space collapsed but the company relocated to a new space in the Titletown District. Meanwhile, Main Salon & Spa had a third of its space destroyed and was closed for two months, but has since reopened and expanded.
The driver who crashed into the building, Merissa Reed, pleaded no contest to reckless driving causing great bodily harm and felony bail jumping. She was sentenced in October 2024 to one year in jail (time served) and four years of probation.
Businesses continue to recover one year later after Main Street Commons crash
Historic elements of the building survived restoration. Originally home to the Bohemian Baking Company, then the Saranac Glove Factory, Fabry Glove & Mitten, and Clyde’s Jewelers, the structure now boasts cleaned and repaired masonry, restored original windows, hardwood and terrazzo flooring, and pressed-metal ceilings…