Offering men the opportunity to attend a fun event while getting some help with holiday shopping and wrapping is a good way to encourage more male customers to venture into downtown shops. Many individual retailers offer men-only holiday shopping events, and downtown organizations are beginning to see value in this approach, as well. For example,…Continue reading
During a trip to the Gulf Coast, Main Street Alabama President Mary Helmer Wirth stopped by a popular bar in Fort Walton Beach, FL. She was struck by the way the establishment combined shipping container buildings and outdoor seating in an inviting way. That visit sparked an idea: What if Alabama’s downtowns could find a…To read more — login/subscribe
For decades after it opened in 1930, the Soo Theatre was the place to see a movie in Sault Ste. Marie, MI (est. pop. 13,591). But when a multiplex came to town, the one-screen cinema struggled and finally closed its doors in 1998. A local nonprofit formed to buy the building in 2003. And while…To read more — login/subscribe
Miami is in the midst of transforming unused space beneath the Metrorail tracks into a 10-mile linear park, urban trail, and exhibit space for public art. The idea was generated not by urban planners or elected officials, but by a Miami resident who calls herself “a crazy citizen.” Meg Daly has often repeated the story…To read more — login/subscribe
When you think about winter in Canada, outdoor dining and shopping may not come to mind. Yet, CBC Canada reports that several Canadian cities are extending temporary patio programs into the fall and winter and taking other measures to support physical distancing at shops, restaurants, and bars. For example, the City of Ottawa has extended…To read more — login/subscribe
More than a decade ago, Mankato, MN (est. pop. 42,093), kicked off a series of public art projects known as CityArt. A sculpture exhibit and walking tour are the centerpiece, but there are other public art initiatives, too. In 2021, the walking tour celebrated its 10th anniversary. The tour has stayed fresh for so long…To read more — login/subscribe
As the coronavirus pandemic spurred new migration trends, downtown leaders in Miami, FL (est. pop. 467,968), decided to sweeten the pot for employers. The Miami Downtown Development Authority (DDA) launched a Follow the Sun initiative that pays incentives to businesses that move to the central business district. To qualify, an employer must create at least…To read more — login/subscribe
More than a century ago, merchants and downtown building owners used ads painted on the sides of brick buildings to drive business. From the mid-1800s until about 1950, retailers and consumer brands used these commercial messages to grab shoppers’ attention. The eye-catching signs featured bright colors and bold lettering. The sign-painting boom ended decades ago.…To read more — login/subscribe
Accessory dwelling units (ADUs) are gaining momentum across the country. The backyard apartments — sometimes known as guest quarters, casitas, carriage houses, in-law suites, or granny flats — can ease housing shortages and boost density in residential neighborhoods that are downtown or adjacent to downtown areas. For downtowns that have struggled to lure housing units,…To read more — login/subscribe
Every downtown is trying to attract visitors and showcase the shops, restaurants, museums, and other public places that make them unique. While paper maps and wayfinding signs are tried-and-true ways to guide visitors, residents, and workers, many downtowns have embraced a new tool — interactive maps that let downtown leaders tell their story via mobile…To read more — login/subscribe
