Douglas Charles Jackson

New Google ebookstore a tool for local independents

December 13, 2010

All along Main Street, changing technology is shifting buying patterns. Some projections put online spending at half of all retail spending by 2015, and smartphone applications like ShopSavvy allow for instore price comparisons against competitors. The challenge is to work with the technology where you can to increase sales while still maintaining the commitment to place-based strategies and … More New Google ebookstore a tool for local independents

Lynchburg spot blight program serving as model

December 10, 2010

Lynchburg’s spot blight program may be a model for Danville as that community’s city council investigates strategies to improve the appearance and quality of the community while caring for historic resources. Danville has done a lot to capitalize on its historic character, including loft conversion in the tobacco warehouse district, the interpretation of local history through a mural program, … More Lynchburg spot blight program serving as model

Danville effort first historic preservation club in commonwealth high schools

December 6, 2010

The Danville Historical Society is modeling the way for youth outreach across the state. They have a board member in charge of coordinating youth activities, and they recently led the commonwealth by establishing the state’s first high school historic preservation clubs. The effort, simultaneously establishing clubs at George Washington High School and at Galileo Magnet High School, have piqued … More Danville effort first historic preservation club in commonwealth high schools

Main Street Merchant Profile: Lynchburg’s Accents Flags and Gifts

November 30, 2010

Merchants make the Main Street, and Lynchburg’s Accents Flags and Gifts proves the point. Deborah Fears Keeling, owner of the 21-year old business, has been involved in Lynch’s Landing, the city’s Main Street organization, for seven years. But this year, she says, the events and cooperative marketing strategies have really taken off. In January, Lynch’s … More Main Street Merchant Profile: Lynchburg’s Accents Flags and Gifts

Harrisonburg Gift Blitz promotes merchants and extends Black Friday specials

November 29, 2010

Downtown Harrisonburg merchants have pulled together in a cooperative promotional strategy that offers an alternative to the typical Black Friday rush. This year, Harrisonburg Downtown Renaissance (HDR) and the Merchants of Historic Downtown Harrisonburg (MHDH) structured a weeklong blitz of downtown shopping to highlight the best in gifts that the district has to offer. Nearly 30 … More Harrisonburg Gift Blitz promotes merchants and extends Black Friday specials

Virginia’s quarter century communities featured in Main Street Now

November 16, 2010

In celebration of Virginia Main Street’s 25th anniversary year, Main Street Now, the magazine of the National Trust for Historic Preservation’s Main Street Center, recently profiled the three communities that have maintained VMS designation throughout the quarter century. Over that 25 years, the communities – Bedford, Franklin, and Winchester – have navigated rocky economic terrain with strategies that make the most … More Virginia’s quarter century communities featured in Main Street Now

Main Street Merchant Profile: Pufferbellies

November 5, 2010

In a new series of blog entries, we’re highlighting Main Street merchants — the entrepreneurs who create jobs and care for historic structures in our traditional commercial districts. To share the successes of one of your merchants, contact Doug Jackson. Pufferbellies, a shop specializing in top-notch service to the next generation of Main Street customers, offers a … More Main Street Merchant Profile: Pufferbellies

Bedford’s arts strategy at work

November 2, 2010

Bedford’s arts-and-antiques strategy to give Centertown a retail identity builds on the community’s existing assets–the entrepreneurs who have establisthed retail and restaurant businesses in the district. Earlier this month Lynchburg’s News and Advance featured the district in a story, “Downtown Bedford venues add life to arts scene“, profiling artists at work at the Electric Company studio spaces, diners … More Bedford’s arts strategy at work

Main Street Merchant Profile: Red Truck Bakery

November 1, 2010

The November/December issue of Preservation magazine features a first-hand account from this week’s Main Street Merchant — Old Town Warrenton’s Brian Noyes (“The Truck Stops Here“). Mr. Noyes, a pasty chef (and former Preservation art director) owns the Red Truck Bakery, a rehabilitated 1921 Esso filling station. The pastries have been written up in the New York Times. The … More Main Street Merchant Profile: Red Truck Bakery

Sense of place marketing: Botetourt historic downtowns

October 27, 2010

The special landing page says it nicely: The classic American Experience is alive and well in Botetourt County. The link http://www.downtownsofbotetourt.com delivers visitors to a special introductory page of the county’s tourism webite, listing upcoming events and links to three historic downtowns: Buchanan and Virginia Main Street affiliates Troutville and Fincastle. The site looks great and functions … More Sense of place marketing: Botetourt historic downtowns