07/24/2026
Max…❤️ - You my friend, are a real one for sure. And we will deeply miss seeing you here everyday.
If you know Max, you know that he is definitely a mover & a shaker. And the perfect person to hold this role for the past several years. A lot of people talk about making the downtown a better place, Max worked every single day to do just that. He cared so much for the growth & health of this downtown, and was always on the go. I’ve seen this guy in more meetings this year alone, than I’ve probably been in my entire life. And it’s not always easy dealing with all of the different personalities & idiosyncrasies of the business district’s owners… I know for a fact that this guy put out a lot of fires, and tried hard to mend fences, and bring people together. There is no doubt that Max has made this downtown a much better place, and I am so grateful for all of his dedication to all of us.
Main Street Lorain is more than just a group that puts on events. It’s like a unity of businesses. Showing a cohesive desire to make our town a better place. The more people involved & unified, the stronger & better we are as a downtown.
Cheers to Max, and congratulations on your new role. The city of Oberlin is extremely lucky to have you.
Main Street Lorain Executive Director Max Schaefer will be leaving his position to join the City of Oberlin as their new Economic Development Officer late next month.
Please see the message below from our organization’s Board President, Ryan Aroney:
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“First, Max deserves tremendous credit for helping build Main Street Lorain into the strong organization it is today. As our first full-time Executive Director, he has spent the past five years growing the organization, strengthening our partnerships, and creating a sustainable foundation for the future.
His commitment to his hometown has always been evident, and throughout his tenure he has consistently put the best interests of our downtown businesses, property owners, and community first. We are grateful for his leadership and wish him nothing but success in his next chapter.
With Max’s departure, Main Street Lorain will begin their search for a new Executive Director immediately.
As we begin this transition, our focus is on the future. Main Street Lorain is entering an exciting period of growth, and we are preparing to develop a new strategic plan that will guide the organization through the next five years and beyond. We are looking for a dynamic, visionary leader who can build on the momentum we've created, inspire collaboration throughout our community, and help us continue moving Downtown Lorain forward.
We have a strong board, dedicated volunteers, and incredible community partners, and we're excited for the next person to join us in shaping what's ahead.”
