We’re approaching fall in Virginia. That means crisp air and crisper apples, rotund pumpkins and autumnal spices, bluegrass and blues, vintage cars and vantage locations for the display of changing leaves. It means festivals. The 21 designated Main Street communities and some of our more active affiliates are setting out the hay bales and sweeping the streets to … More Where will you get your festival on?
Virginia Main Street blog readers logged on in record number to select their favorite Main Street eateries. In just over a month nearly 59,000 votes were cast for one of 25 restaurants. Nearly half of the votes were for South Boston’s BISTRO 1888. And it’s a worthy top choice. The Bistro demonstrates what first-class food and downtown … More Virginia Main Street foodies pick their favorites
A Sunday travel piece in the Knoxville News Sentinel this weekend presented readers with all they need to know for a weekend trip to Abingdon, Virginia’s historic district. The article included an itenerary of things to see on a self-guided tour (brochure available at the visitor’s center), including a run-down of retail, restaurant, and lodging busineesses in this Virginia Main Street (VMS) … More Essential trip planning: Abingdon, Virginia
Frequently older community members will talk in downtown meetings about what it was like when foot traffic was shoulder to shoulder, and when everyone went to Main Street to go to the movies. Soon one might hear a young voice from the back of the room say, “What do you mean went to the the movies? Why didn’t they just … More Main Street across the generations
The Virginia Main Street staff does a lot of travelling each year and that travel can be hard on the stomach. Luckily, we know that when we arrive, the local hospitality of our destination Main Street communities will be evident, and the top rate dining choices will be numerous. While having an office day, we … More Vote for the top 25 Virginia Main Street “Downtown Dining Destinations”
There’s still time to register for the Virginia Main Street Summer Toolkit (until Monday), and the board and staff of Downtown Franklin, Inc. are eager to welcome you to our district. We’re going to spend a day and a half (July 22 and 23) focused on “Cultivating an Entrepreneurial Downtown.” The speakers are top-notch, and this is a vital … More Guest blogger “Downtown Dan” Howe: Franklin awaits
For fund development efforts, Main Street organizations have no better tool than the Internal Revenue Service’s designation as a 501 (c) 3 organization. Lately some communities have struggled for it, trying hard to clarify the nuances of how Main Street groups pursue their goals so that they are not designated as economic development or membership organizations. … More Main Street organizations and nonprofit status
Seven designated Virginia Main Street (VMS) communities have been awarded VMS Downtown Improvement Grants in a special initiative marking the program’s 25th anniversary. Successful proposals in the competitive process demonstrated: Measurable impacts or deliverables; Committee or volunteer project leadership/involvement; Partnerships and resource leveraging; Local government involvement or support; Up-to-date program reporting; and The ability to complete the … More Virginia Main Street Downtown Improvement Grants awarded
When you think about it, Main Street is an easy sell. Supporting local merchants, caring for older buildings, and maintaining community character all have a feel-good quality; instinctively they’re the right things to do. And the community of volunteers and stakeholders who make it happen sell it the best. With inexpensive technology and free hosting … More I want my M(ain Street)TV
Why do you do it? That festival takes months of planning. The parade risks being rained out. There are suddenly four previously un-calendared community events on the same weekend as the chili cook-off; the band shows up late; and the vendors haven’t brought enough change. Events can be a real headache. But you still put … More Putting events to work for your downtown district
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