About Us

ReStore Avilla (Restore) was initiated by the Avilla Town Council and Avilla Revitalization Committee members, Doug and Amy Harris, Susan and Todd Fowler, Julie Farver, and Dick and Judy Littlefield in mid to late 2012.  The town conducted a study and hired an engineering firm to help form a revitalization master plan for the downtown area to use as a guide and inspiration for the future.

ReStore was officially formed in April 2013, under the guidance of the then Avilla Chamber and ReStore President Doug Harris.  The name “ReStore” was chosen to represent not just the restoration of the town, but also to “re-store” the facades of buildings and to bring back the flourishing economic and business flow of previous years.  

In July of 2015, the Indiana Office of Community and Rural Affairs (OCRA) and Lt. Governor (at the time) Sue Ellspermann, welcomed ReStore into the Indiana Main Street Program (IMS).  In July 2016, ReStore became incorporated under the current Avilla Chamber and then also ReStore President, Kevin Kelly.   ReStore was approved to become a 501 ( c) 3 in March 2017, under current President Todd Carteaux.   

ReStore is an organization that works with other like-minded entities and individuals with a stake in the commercial district and its future, such as the local, county, and state government, Avilla Chamber of Commerce, merchants, property owners, industries, private individuals – anyone who can benefit from a healthy local economy and from a historic city core that reflects the community’s heritage and ideals.  

How can you get involved?  ReStore is actively looking for people that are interested in giving a little time and putting effort toward development, design, promotion, and economic restructuring to help achieve restoration and revitalization of the downtown Avilla area.

(Written by Dawn Kelly, Hometown News – avillanews@gmail.com, January 1, 2018)