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Three Main Street America Staff members standing in front of a mural in Marion, Iowa.

Marion, Iowa © Tasha Sams

About

We work in collaboration with thousands of local partners and grassroots leaders across the nation who share our commitment to advancing shared prosperity, creating resilient economies, and improving quality of life.

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Two community members in Emporia Kansas pose with a sign saying "I'm a Main Streeter"

Emporia, Kansas © Emporia Main Street

Our Network

Made up of small towns, mid-sized communities, and urban commercial districts, the thousands of organizations, individuals, volunteers, and local leaders that make up Main Street America™ represent the broad diversity that makes this country so unique.

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Dionne Baux and MSA partner working in Bronzeville, Chicago.

Chicago, Illinois © Main Street America

Resources

Looking for strategies and tools to support you in your work? Delve into the Main Street Resource Center and explore a wide range of resources including our extensive Knowledge Hub, professional development opportunities, field service offerings, advocacy support, and more!

Overview Knowledge Hub Field Services Government Relations Main Street Now Conference Main Street America Institute Small Business Support Allied Member Services The Point Members Area
People riding e-scooters in Waterloo, Iowa

Waterloo, Iowa © Main Street Waterloo

The Latest

Your one-stop-shop for all the latest stories, news, events, and opportunities – including grants and funding programs – across Main Street.

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Woman and girl at a festival booth in Kendall Whittier, Tulsa, Oklahoma.

Kendall Whittier — Tulsa, Oklahoma © Kendall Whittier Main Street

Get Involved

Join us in our work to advance shared prosperity, create strong economies, and improve quality of life in downtowns and neighborhood commercial districts.

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Three Main Street America Staff members standing in front of a mural in Marion, Iowa.

Marion, Iowa © Tasha Sams

About

We work in collaboration with thousands of local partners and grassroots leaders across the nation who share our commitment to advancing shared prosperity, creating resilient economies, and improving quality of life.

Overview Who We Are How We Work Partner Collaborations Our Supporters Our Team Job Opportunities Contact Us
Two community members in Emporia Kansas pose with a sign saying "I'm a Main Streeter"

Emporia, Kansas © Emporia Main Street

Our Network

Made up of small towns, mid-sized communities, and urban commercial districts, the thousands of organizations, individuals, volunteers, and local leaders that make up Main Street America™ represent the broad diversity that makes this country so unique.

Overview Coordinating Programs Main Street Communities Collective Impact Awards & Recognition Community Evaluation Framework Join the Movement
Dionne Baux and MSA partner working in Bronzeville, Chicago.

Chicago, Illinois © Main Street America

Resources

Looking for strategies and tools to support you in your work? Delve into the Main Street Resource Center and explore a wide range of resources including our extensive Knowledge Hub, professional development opportunities, field service offerings, advocacy support, and more!

Overview Knowledge Hub Field Services Government Relations Main Street Now Conference Main Street America Institute Small Business Support Allied Member Services The Point Members Area
People riding e-scooters in Waterloo, Iowa

Waterloo, Iowa © Main Street Waterloo

The Latest

Your one-stop-shop for all the latest stories, news, events, and opportunities – including grants and funding programs – across Main Street.

Overview News & Stories Events & Opportunities Subscribe
Woman and girl at a festival booth in Kendall Whittier, Tulsa, Oklahoma.

Kendall Whittier — Tulsa, Oklahoma © Kendall Whittier Main Street

Get Involved

Join us in our work to advance shared prosperity, create strong economies, and improve quality of life in downtowns and neighborhood commercial districts.

Overview Join Us Renew Your Membership Donate Partner With Us Job Opportunities
A couple poses in front of the Valentine's mural in Little Five Points. Photo courtesy of Little Five Points Business Association.

Each year, Little Five Points in Atlanta, Georgia, invites the community to celebrate Valentine's Day in style with their Valentine's Murals promotion. Community members can pay to have initials, names, or other romantic messages added to a large mural in the district. All funds support the work of the Little Five Points Business Association. We spoke to Reid Koski, Main Street Coordinator for Little Five Points, to learn more.

How did you come up with the idea for the Valentine’s Murals?

Before the pandemic, we used to sell sponsor space on a wall for our Halloween Festival & Parade and had a local artist paint brand logos. However, when we were unable to host that event in 2021, we decided to turn the concept on its head and do something that both supported our individual community members and raised money for our organization. Our district is known for its colorful street art, and we thought that giving people the opportunity to include a loved one among L5P's other art would make a wonderful Valentine's surprise! The unveiling has become a fun, feel-good tradition for our community and this is our fifth year running the heart mural promotion.

A couple poses in front of their section of the mural celebrating 50 years of marriage

Who is the artist? What was the selection process?

This year's Valentine's Mural artist is Gums (@_sw0llen.gum). Gums is a local graffiti artist who, last year, painted one of our patio tables as part of our General Motors Main Street placemaking grant.

How do the Valentine’s Murals help support the Little 5 Points Business Association?

Every dollar we get in we put back into our community. There is never a lack of ways that money helps us support safety, business promotion, and community activities.

What feedback have you received in past years? How does the community feel about the promotion?

The feedback is great! It's really special and fun to see people get surprised by their significant other. We see hugs and kisses and sometimes even a few tears. It really is a wonderful romantic gesture. The wall we use would otherwise be covered in tags, so it's great to contribute to our community's arts culture with something vibrant and meaningful. Local entrepreneurs have also used the mural as a way to promote their own businesses which fits our district's ethos better than other walls with corporate branding or advertisements.

Any advice for Main Streets looking to set up a similar promotion?

Do it! Find an artist you trust, find a theme that fits your community, and a landlord willing to donate a wall. Get a sketch or mock-up from the artist before you commit and make sure they can follow a deadline. During our first year doing this, we had creative conflicts with the original artist and had to find a replacement quickly! Make sure to set up an easy way for people to purchase a heart online and that can keep track of orders in a way the artist can interpret. Take lots of fun photos of the day. We like to have flowers and candy to give out as the Valentines show up for their surprise.