Remember flash mobs? Those quirky get togethers where groups of strangers would do the lambada in the middle of a bank plaza or dress like Pee Wee Herman? While those may have been fun and worthy of a few giggles, wouldn’t it be great to put that same premise to a productive use? Enter the cash mob. … More Could cash mobs strike your downtown?
In his recent blog post, What Pictures Can Teach Us About Walkability, Kaid Benfield suggests that we can use some very simple techniques to determine how well our downtown is doing. Benfield’s emphasis is on sustainable communities, which, he argues, are perhaps best described as communities that are walkable. Benfield asks, “is [the community] safe, … More Can your Main Street Pass the Walkability Popsicle Test?
Entrepreneurs are generally pretty imaginative people, but some may need a creative venue and an audience to help them articulate their ideas. Staunton Creative Community Fund’s (SCCF) recent Ignite Staunton! campaign proved to be the creative outlet that entrepreneur Michael Reeps needed to make his unique business concept a reality. Last fall’s Ignite Staunton!, partly … More Attracting, Developing and Retaining Main Street Entrepreneurs
Empty store fronts are a drag on Main Street. They break up the flow of the Main Street commercial district, and studies show that they discourage shoppers from exploring downtown. But, what can be done? Well, how about turning empty store fronts into canvases for local artists? Check out this video to see the artistic … More South Boston paints its empty store fronts
Congratulations to the Town of Culpeper, which was recently named by the National Trust for Historic Preservation as one of the top 10 semi-finalists for the 2012 Great American Main Street Awards (GAMSA). The semi-finalists have demonstrated their ability to preserve their unique history while creating and maintaining vibrant, successful commercial districts that serve as the heart … More Culpeper – 2012 Great American Main Street Awards Semi-Finalist
The recent history of one of Virginia travelers’ favorite Main Street communities was recently showcased in Preservation – The Magazine of the National Trust for Historic Preservation. The Secret of Staunton’s Success explains how the city used historic preservation as an economic engine to transform the downtown. Starting with the restoration of a handful of … More Staunton in Preservation Magazine
According to WDBJ7.com, Radford is past the “tipping point” and Main Street Radford’s vision to create “a destination district widely recognized as the best place in the New River Valley for an independent business to succeed and grow” is becoming a reality. Entrepreneurs are setting up shop in once empty storefronts, and visitors can add … More Radford – Past the Tipping Point
A kickoff event celebrating Hopewell’s designation as an official Virginia Main Street (VMS) community was held Thursday, January 12 at the Beacon Theater in downtown Hopewell. At the event, the VMS staff presented the town with road signs signifying its designation as a Main Street Community and joined with local officials in remarking on the … More Hopewell Celebrates Virginia Main Street Designation
Residents of St. Paul, one of four newly designated Virginia Main Street communities, recently gathered to formally recognize the distinction and enlist new volunteers at a kick-off event in November. Attendees included more than 40 residents, Mayor Kyle Fletcher, Vice-Mayor Sharon Steele, Town Councilmember Monty Salyer and members of St. Paul Tomorrow, led by current … More St. Paul Celebrates Main Street Designation
As you may have noticed while walking along Main Street, January is typically a slow season for many retailers as consumers try to pay off bills accumulated during the holidays. Hopefully, Main Street retailers have planned for and are prepared to weather this annual slow season. MyBusiness.com offers several tips to help retailers make the most … More Helping Main Street Merchants Weather the Winter Doldrums
Virginia Main Street 