10/09/2025
We’re truly honored to see the Highwater Café & Market and Highwater Offices recognized with the Excellence on Main – Economic Vitality Award! It’s been incredible to watch this project come to life and see it contribute to a more vibrant and connected downtown Reedsport.
A huge thank-you to the Oregon Main Street Program, the City of Reedsport, and everyone who continues to invest their time and heart into building a thriving community.
Reedsport among recipients of “Excellence on Main” Award - 10/8/2025
Reedsport – Oregon Main Street announced its 2025 “Excellence on Main” award winners on October 8 during the Opening Session of the Main Street conference in downtown Albany.
Created in 2010, the annual Excellence on Main awards honor the outstanding people, projects and activities that are helping to sustain and enhance historic downtowns across the state. This year's edition saw the acknowledgment of 11 remarkable projects and activities as well as recognition for 6 Standout Volunteers. Reedsport was the recipient of the Economic Vitality Award based on the nomination by the Reedsport Main Street Program. In addition, Mayor Linda McCollum was recognized as a Standout Volunteer for her contributions to Reedsport Main Street.
2025 Economic Vitality Award: Highwater Café & Market and Highwater Offices
Jill Nelson, owner of Highwater Cafe & Market and Highwater Offices, had a vision of creating a place where people could gather for meetings, workshops, or just to enjoy time with friends. She envisioned that at completion this project would make a significant impact towards bringing commerce to Reedsport’s downtown while retaining the area’s historic charm on our main street. Jill made storefront improvements to restore the façade to the original look and feel of the 1940s. This project received funds from the Oregon Main Street Revitalization Grant. It was quite an undertaking to revitalize this property into the vibrant, state-of-the-art café that it is now.
Highwater Café and Market is a counter service café and market offering quick service breakfast, lunch, desserts, pastries, beer and wine, to enjoy in the café or order online to “grab and go”. It offers market goods highlighting the local talents and bounties from throughout Oregon. It includes free WIFI so that people can work while enjoying their coffee and a community table where people can gather. This project includes all-in-one office suites for small businesses. Anyone needing to reserve the conference room is able to do so through the convenience of online scheduling.
This project was identified due to the positive impact that Highwater Café and Market has had on our community. Jill’s innovative approach created a place where our community can feel at home. We have many home-based businesses in the area. At Highwater, people can conduct business meetings or meet to share ideas while enjoying a meal or a drink.
Jill, along with her business partner Robb Crocker, café manager Nicolas Graham, and office manager Mercedes Salles, accepted the award on behalf of Highwater Café & Market and Highwater Offices.
Standout Volunteer Certificate: Mayor Linda McCollun, Reedsport
Mayor Linda McCollum received recognition for her contributions to the Reedsport Main Street Program. Mayor McCollum has shared her leadership, guidance, and commitment since 2012 when the City began evaluating the possibility of establishing the program as a department of the City of Reedsport. She is one of two remaining founding members and has served as an Executive Board for over 5 years as board president and vice-president.
Thanks to the leadership of both Mayor McCollum and Councilor Turner, the program continues to grow. Mayor McCollum started the Holiday Tree Lighting Ceremony in 2016, and it has grown in attendance every year. She helped lead with participation throughout the two years of the RDI Economic Vitality Grant.
The awards were presented by Sheri Stuart, Oregon Main Street Coordinator and the Oregon Heritage staff. We thank them for their continued support to the over one-hundred Main Street programs in Oregon, and specially for their contributions to our program in Reedsport.
The Excellence on Main awards underscore the diverse facets of the Main Street Approach™, a comprehensive strategy developed by the National Main Street Center, which is embraced by Oregon Main Street Network communities. Through this approach, communities thrive by leveraging innovative projects, community-focused programs, and historic preservation to improve their vitality and enrich residents' lives.
The Oregon Main Street program empowers local economies, fosters community connections, and enhances the overall appeal of the state. The network of local Main Streets working within the Oregon Main Street program is a testament to the transformative impact of collaborative efforts, nurturing vibrant environments for residents, visitors, and workers alike. Discover more about the Oregon Main Street program's influence by visiting www.oregonmainstreet.org.
