Association helps Bonduel grow, prosper
By Carol Wagner of the Shawano Leader Staff
Used with Permission

Bonduel can seem out of the way to those who don’t know about its varied shopping opportunities, but Bonduel Business Association is working to change that.

In 2004 the Bonduel Area Business Association was formed. Phyllis Folkman, owner of The Picket Fence and current president, said the association helps to promote activities in the village and coordinate them.

“We’ve done a lot of things already,” Folkman said.

One of those things is placing sponsored benches around the village this year. The rustic-looking benches were made by a resident and engraved with the sponsor’s name. They have also placed brochures about Bonduel on the Mountain Bay Trail, which runs through a corner of the village.

This spring they had a booth at the home show in Shawano. They also helped staff the Shawano Chamber booth at the Sports Show in Milwaukee this year.

Village clerk Barb Wickman said they had tried once before to get an association organized, but it didn’t come together. Wickman, along with Bob Andorfer, the owner of the former grocery store in Bonduel, decided to try again.

“We didn’t have any money, so we walked and delivered notices for the first meeting,” Wickman said.

Businesses that were more out of town were mailed the information.

“We wanted it to be the Bonduel area,” Wickman said.

Made up of business owners and community members, they work together to help the retail, economic and tourism development in the Bonduel area. They have received non-profit status.

“We’ve been building ever since,” Wickman said.

In 2008 the village had a spring open house, village-wide rummage sale, Fourth of July parade, sidewalk sale, Founder’s Day, and Christmas Open House.

On Dec. 6 they will host Bonduel’s Old Country Christmas which will feature events, such as music or Santa, at each business.

Santa’s elves will be out along with carolers and members of the Bonduel High School band. Horse-drawn wagon rides will be available.

Shoppers can participate in a Snowflake Scavenger hunt to win Bonduel Bucks.

Business has been doing well in Bonduel. Nearly all the stores in the village are filled. Folkman said in the summer they always have a lot of tourists.

With each year the membership in the association continues to grow.

“I think we have made some very positive steps to promote our community,” Wickman said.

The meetings are held the third Tuesday of every month at 5:30 p.m. at various locations. Dues are $50 per year. To join or for information contact Tim Vandenbrook at 758-2171, Sherrie Peterson at 758-7600, Folkman at 758-7170 or Wickman at 758-2450.

Phyllis Folkman and Barb Wickman