Owosso's 'Main Street Madness' Boosts Local Restaurants

A March Madness-style social media competition is shining a spotlight on eateries in Owosso and Corunna, Michigan.

Apr. 2, 2026 at 10:39pm

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A brightly colored, high-contrast silkscreen print of various classic American diner items like hamburgers, french fries, and a milkshake, repeated in a tight grid pattern to create a modern pop art representation of the local restaurant scene.A social media competition is boosting visibility and support for local restaurants in Owosso, Michigan, tapping into the community's love of March Madness.Owosso Today

A local branding agency in Owosso, Michigan has launched a 'Main Street Madness' bracket competition inspired by the NCAA tournament, featuring 64 local restaurants competing for community votes on Facebook. The contest has generated over 50,000 votes and 350,000 views, helping drive new followers and increased foot traffic for the participating restaurants.

Why it matters

In a challenging economic climate for small businesses, the 'Main Street Madness' competition is providing a creative way for Owosso and Corunna restaurants to generate much-needed attention and support from the local community. The contest highlights the power of social media engagement to boost visibility and patronage for independent eateries.

The details

The 64 restaurants were seeded by their Facebook followings and divided into four regions, with community members voting for their favorites in the comments on Facebook. The 'Final Fork' includes Amy's Place, Culver's, Mancino's, and Prescott's Cone Zone. For Amy's Place, which has only been open for less than a year, the community support comes at a critical time as they navigate staffing challenges, slow periods, and rising prices.

  • The 'Main Street Madness' competition launched a couple of weeks ago.
  • Voting for the final four continues through Friday, April 5.
  • Championship voting will continue throughout the weekend, with the overall winner being announced on Monday, April 8.

The players

AZEE Branding Solutions

The local branding agency that launched the 'Main Street Madness' competition.

Tony Nash

The organizer of the 'Main Street Madness' competition.

Amy Coffey

The owner of Amy's Place, one of the restaurants competing in the 'Final Fork'.

Prescott's Cone Zone

A local ice cream shop in Owosso that is set to open for the season on April 3, marking its 27th year in downtown Owosso.

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What they’re saying

“The most valuable currency in any business or organization is attention.”

— Tony Nash, Organizer of 'Main Street Madness'

“Staffing, slow times, elevation in prices, but we just work through it and do what we can.”

— Amy Coffey, Owner of Amy's Place

What’s next

The winning business in the 'Main Street Madness' competition will receive a 60-second promotional video created by AZEE Branding Solutions to help boost its online presence and attract new customers.

The takeaway

The 'Main Street Madness' competition demonstrates the power of community engagement and social media to support local restaurants during challenging economic times. By tapping into the spirit of March Madness, the contest has generated significant buzz and attention for Owosso and Corunna's independent eateries, helping to drive new customers and strengthen the local food scene.