Even stores on Main Street do it: Making e-commerce work downtown

March 15, 2010

Today we’re going to take a closer look at the crosshatched area in the Permuto Discoveries graphic. That shaded e-commerce portion of spending includes catalog, telephone, and online sales.  Sure, the biggest piece of these sales is likely handled by Amazon’s high-tech automated warehouse distribution system or by a cheery voice at Chesapeake, Virginia’s QVC call center.  But there is also a … More Even stores on Main Street do it: Making e-commerce work downtown

Anchors on Main Street

March 4, 2010

Every Main Street community is working to bring shoppers downtown, but what does that mean in the era of internet shopping?  Shoppers are buying more online–but they don’t buy all products in an equal amount.  In the next few posts, we’ll take a look at this sharp graphic from Permuto Discoveries, and offer some questions that might prompt … More Anchors on Main Street

Minds Wide Open contest features Main Street communities

February 23, 2010

Minds Wide Open, a statewide celebration of women in the arts, will highlight thousands of special events across the commonwealth between March and June of 2010. While any individual or group can participate by presenting at least one public program focused on women, and related events are taking place in nearly every part of the state, … More Minds Wide Open contest features Main Street communities

Marion’s revitalization path highlighted by municipal league

February 18, 2010

This month, the Virginia Municipal Leagues’ magazine, Virginia Town and City, features a cover story on the revitalization of Downtown Marion. The subhead reads: “Downtown success story wasn’t written overnight,” and the article, by Marion Downtown Revitalization Association Executive Director Ken Heath, stresses the deliberate, step-by-step approach the community has taken to bring visitors downtown to … More Marion’s revitalization path highlighted by municipal league

The Crooked Road on Dozen Distinctive Destinations List

February 8, 2010

Southwest Virginia’s “Crooked Road” region has been named one of the 2010 America’s Dozen Distinctive Destinations by the National Trust for Historic Preservation. The 253-mile route through Virginia’s Appalachian region winds through 10 counties, three cities, and 19 towns. Originally conceived and incubated through the Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD), the project was designed … More The Crooked Road on Dozen Distinctive Destinations List

Hawk or ground squirrel?

February 5, 2010

“You have to ask yourself….are you the hawk, or are you the ground squirrel?”  The question kicked off the 2010 Virginia Main Street Manager’s Retreat at Radford’s Selu Retreat Center last week.  Eighteen Main Street program managers from across the commonwealth gathered for a day and a half of focus on mission-based financial management. And while the Main … More Hawk or ground squirrel?

Tourism magnets on Virginia’s Main Streets

January 25, 2010

It’s no newsflash for Main Street communities that cultural heritage and history-based tourism can bring meaningful revenue downtown. Here are a few examples of strategic investments and attractions affecting Main Street communities. They’re gathered by our friends at the Virginia Department of Historic Resources (DHR). To sign up for DHR’s news clips, contact: Randy Jones. Tourism and Rail in Lynchburg: When city and state officials worked … More Tourism magnets on Virginia’s Main Streets

What rhymes with streetscape?

January 20, 2010

Want to add some color to a gray winter day at the office?  Take a virtual visit to Charlottesville’s refurbished Downtown Mall with two University of Virginia planning students. Charlotteville’s Downtown Mall Rap, a musical look (Hey C’ville!) at one of the nation’s few high-performing pedestrian malls was completed for a studio course. Complete with urban-sprawl combating karate kicks … More What rhymes with streetscape?