News file photo People are seen shopping at the Water Street Commons in Alpena.

ALPENA — The Water Street Commons closed on Dec. 27 for the season but Anne Gentry, Alpena Downtown Development Authority (DDA) executive director, said that the DDA is already planning for the Commons’ 2026 shopping season.

According to Gentry, the winter shopping season was a success at the Commons.

“The Christmas season went really well downtown,” Gentry said. “The vendors were really happy with how the sales were.”

Gentry added that there are businesses that are planning on returning for the 2026 winter shopping season at the Commons, and that the DDA plans on publishing applications for new vendors in “late winter.”

Gentry explained that the DDA plans on prioritizing businesses that specialize in or offer locally sourced and made products.

“We love vendors who have locally made products,” Gentry said.

She stated that the DDA is also considering constructing more sheds to allow more vendors to participate in future shopping seasons and possibly adding a pavilion area. However, if they were to commit to any new construction projects, they will likely commence in March or April.

Gentry also explained that the DDA is planning on incorporating more live entertainment in events at the Commons in the future.

According to Gentry, the DDA is currently using the off-season at the Commons to brainstorm how the retail location will evolve with the upcoming 2026 shopping season.

At the moment, Gentry said that the Commons does not have an official open date for the spring, but said the community should “stay tuned” for updates.

Overall, Gentry explained that the 2025 season at the Commons was successful and added that the retail location “got a really good start this year.”

In total, Gentry said that 17 businesses operated out of the Commons in some fashion from the time it opened in the spring till the time it closed for the season. These businesses were vendors, pop-up locations, and food trucks.

“We are really proud of how things went,” Gentry said.

Kayla Wikaryasz can be reached at 989-358-5688 or kwikaryasz@TheAlpenaNews.com.