After the new 53/29 bypass went in a few years ago, Chippewa Falls leaders were concerned about losing businesses in the downtown area.

Chamber of Commerce President, Mike Jordan, says Chippewa Falls is lucky to have a downtown that's thriving and vibrant.

He says visitors are pleasantly surprised to see a city full of restaurants, shops, and activities.

Businesses in the area, say it's the people who make the downtown so special.

Gordy's County Market opened its doors more than 40 years ago and has since become a staple of the downtown area.

Steve Exner says, "I think it has to do with Gordy and the Schafer family and they've always given so much back to the community and the community has remembered that."

Steve Exner, a manager at Gordy’s, says the store was worried about losing customers a few years ago, as the 53/29 bypass re-routed traffic around Chippewa Falls.

But he says it didn't affect the business as much as the store thought.

Steve Exner says, "It all comes from being involved in your community and being apart of it, rolling up your sleeves and getting your hands dirty."

Exner says, the downtown is really a vibrant area.

Steve Exner says, "A lot of people are willing to invest dollars into it as long as the people of Chippewa support that investment."

Don Baker opened Bridge Street Station last year and just debuted Duncan Creek Grille a few weeks ago.

He says part of his success came through word of mouth.

Don Baker says, "Finding out how interesting they are and desirable to come down to them, continuing to do that, tell their friends and they come down."

And he says tourists are impressed with the city.

Don Baker says, "They say, what a great street you've got here."

Chamber of Commerce President Mike Jordan says it's important to keep drawing people back.

Mike Jordan says, "When those people come in and see the community, we're certainly hoping somewhere in the future they'll say let's go back to Chippewa and experience it again."

Jordan says the city does have plans in the works for a project that'll open up the riverfront in downtown Chippewa Falls.

He says that area is under-utilized and should be a city attraction.