After a tornado wrecked McGregor’s historic downtown area in July, most local businesses have recovered and are looking forward to the fall tourism season.
Kristie Austin is executive director of the McGregor-Marquette Chamber of Commerce. She says McGregor is ready for the fall tourism season, and it will be very important for local businesses.
"The two business buildings that were severely damaged and were basically lost have been cleaned up, and a lot of the other buildings that have had roof or other structural things, they’re getting that fixed," Austin says.
In the immediate aftermath of the tornado, McGregor was closed off to people who were not living there. Some businesses were closed for up to a week.
"I still get calls in to the chamber office wondering if we’re okay enough to have people come here, and yes, we certainly are," Austin says. "Our community is so strong that they have come together really quickly to get things cleaned up and ready for service as quickly as possible."
The tornado destroyed an antiques shop and a tattoo parlor. The tattoo artist will reopen in a different building.
Residents of McGregor are still repairing their homes.
