The Patio at Flower City - A pocket park designed to bring people together.
The Patio will be an inviting public green space — a pocket park with seating, art, a small stage, and room for community events. It will bring new life to our downtown and offer a place where residents and visitors can relax, gather and celebrate what makes Palmyra unique.
In The News...
Creating a Main Street Organization for Palmyra
Main Street Organizations succeed across Missouri and the nation—bringing new life to historic downtowns and building stronger communities.
Preserve Our Character – Protect and enhance the charm of Palmyra’s historic Main Street.
Support Local Business – Provide resources, promotion, and events to keep businesses strong.
Bring People Together – Create shared spaces and experiences that foster pride and connection. Encourage Growth – Attract investment, visitors, and new opportunities downtown
"Together, these efforts ensure that downtown Palmyra isn’t just preserved —it thrives as the vibrant heart of our community for generations to come."
What a Main Street Organization
Can Do for Palmyra
Organization and Leadership
- Provide a structured, communityled approach to keep progress moving forward.
- Connect volunteers, city leaders, and businesses under a shared vision.
Economic Vitality
- Support small business growth with resources, promotions, and partnerships.
- Encourage new investment and downtown living opportunities.
Design & Place
- Guide improvements in downtown appearance—storefronts, signage, lighting, and landscaping.
- Create more welcoming, peoplefriendly spaces.
Promotion & Events
- Host events and campaigns that bring people downtown.
- Strengthen Palmyra’s identity as The Flower City while boosting tourism and foot traffic
How Can YOU Help?
To date, more than $33,000 in contributions have been received through local partnerships and businesses. These funds are supporting both the initial launch of Main Street Palmyra and the Patio at Flower City, our first community-focused project, with designated contributions helping move the Patio from planning toward implementation.
Chariton Valley recently earmarked $10,000 specifically for the Patio at Flower City. Additional support has been provided by Wiskirchen Electric, People's Prosperity Fund, Community Foundation, Palmyra Chamber of Commerce and CoBank's Sharing Success Grant Program sponsored by Northeast Power.
These early investments reflect the strong community belief in downtown Palmyra and in the work ahead. Thank you to the partners and organizations who have stepped forward to help make both Main Street Palmyra and the Patio at Flower City possible!
Main Street Palmyra, in collaboration with the City of Palmyra, Palmyra Chamber of Commerce, and Palmyra Parks and Recreation, is laying the groundwork for a project that will transform a long-vacant downtown property into something extraordinary — The Patio at Flower City.
The Patio will be an inviting public green space — a pocket park with seating, art, a small stage, and room for community events. It will bring new life to our downtown and offer a place where residents and visitors can relax, gather and celebrate what makes Palmyra unique.
As one of Palmyra’s cornerstone businesses, we invite you to join us in shaping this space from the ground up. At this early phase, we are seeking community-minded business partners who want to help turn this vision into reality. Your early investment will help fund design development, engineering and site preparation — laying the foundation for what will become a lasting symbol of community pride.
In recognition of early business contributors, we will create a Legacy Permanent Display within the patio. This display will honor the individuals, families and local businesses who believed in the project during its formative phase and helped make it possible.
We would be honored to meet with you to discuss how your business can help the Patio take root.
Ways to Participate:
· Founding Partner Contribution: $5,000 and above — recognized as a Founding Business on the Legacy Permanent Display and featured in project promotions and media.
· Community Partner Contribution: $1,000–$4,999 — recognized on the Legacy Permanent Display as a key contributor to Palmyra’s continued beautification.
· In-Kind Partner:
Donation of materials, labor or services related to construction, landscaping or beautification.
Our overall fundraising goal for the project is $450,000, and this first phase is focused on generating the momentum and matching funds needed to attract grants and larger outside investment. Every early contribution sends a powerful message: Palmyra is a place to blossom, a place to belong.
Main Street Palmyra Board
Alicia Doran
Alicia has worked in Palmyra for 15 years and spent nearly the last decade at Northeast Power, where she focuses on digital and print marketing, photography and videography. She is passionate about using creative communication to highlight local people, projects and partnerships.
She moved to Palmyra three years ago with her girls and quickly found a place that feels like home. She believes sharing the stories of our businesses and community is one of the most powerful ways to build momentum for downtown.
“This community welcomed my family with open arms, and I’m proud to use my skills to help tell Palmyra’s story and be part of what comes next.”
Lisa Irvine
Lisa brings more than 25 years of management experience, including leadership, financial oversight, staff training and customer service. She began serving as Palmyra’s Library Director in June 2025 and is passionate about creating welcoming spaces that connect people and strengthen the community.
She has been inspired by the closeness of Palmyra and the way people truly pull together to support one another. Lisa is excited to be part of Main Street Palmyra and to focus on growth and development that strengthens downtown and supports a thriving future for everyone.
“I’m proud to be part of a community that values connection, learning and working together to move Palmyra forward.”
Gary Stuhlman
Gary retired in 2021 from his family’s Main Street business, which served Palmyra for over 140 years, and has spent decades giving back through local service and leadership.
He now serves as President of Heritage Seekers and participates in the Discovery Expedition of St. Charles, a Lewis and Clark reenactment group that helps preserve and share the history connected to our region and its role in the westward journey.
“My family and I are deeply rooted here, and I’m proud to support anything that helps Palmyra grow and thrive.”
Gracie LaFoe
Gracie is a 2021 graduate of Palmyra High School and recently earned her Bachelor of Science in Biology with a pre-med concentration in 2025. She is currently in a graduate program focused on rural medicine and plans to apply to medical school this May. Gracie is passionate about improving access to healthcare in rural communities and hopes to one day return to Palmyra to serve the people who helped shape her.
Born and raised in Palmyra, Gracie credits this community with shaping her values, work ethic and desire to give back. She stays involved through volunteering and is proud to support efforts that help strengthen the future of our town.
“This community invested in me from the very beginning. I grew up here, learned here and I’m committed to giving back both now and one day as a rural physician serving the people who shaped me.”
Donnely Jung
Donnely is a lifelong Palmyra resident with a heart for community and a passion for helping local businesses and families thrive. She is a dedicated real estate professional serving Northeast Missouri through Ravenscraft Realty in Hannibal, where she has spent the past six years helping clients in the Palmyra area with personalized service and strong local knowledge.
In addition to her real estate work, Donnely is the owner of DMO Promo Marketing & Design, a Palmyra-based business she has successfully operated for five years. With more than 20 years of marketing experience, she has helped support local businesses through strategic and creative solutions.
Donnely’s commitment to service extends well beyond her professional work. She currently serves on four local boards, including the Hannibal Chamber of Commerce, Hannibal Free Clinic, Douglass Community Services and Main Street Palmyra. She is a 2008 graduate of Columbia College and a 2004 graduate of Palmyra High School.
Abe Gray
Abe Gray leads the finance and accounting function at Northeast Power, serving northeast Missouri and southeast Iowa with a focus on supporting the long-term strength of rural communities.
He is actively involved in the region and currently serves on the boards of the United Way of the Mark Twain Area, the Hannibal Regional Economic Development Council and Main Street Palmyra.
Abe is the proud father of three boys, Isaac, David and Abraham, and has been married to his wife, Susie, for over 20 years.
Outside of work, he enjoys being outdoors, ideally with a large cup of strong coffee, cheering on his sons’ athletic endeavors, attending Mass, reading, lifting weights and listening to podcasts on topics like health, politics, fitness and investing. He also enjoys spending time on his farm in Ralls County.
We’re grateful to have Abe’s steady perspective and someone who’s good with numbers helping guide Main Street Palmyra forward.
Got Questions?
Ready to Sponsor?
Reach out to us today with your questions or sponsorship inquiry! We would love to hear from you. Simply fill out the form here or send us an email: mainstreetpalmyramissouri@gmail.com