From the Main Street Now Conference in Boston to the launch of the Main Street Business Insights podcast and beyond, it has been a busy and exciting year for the Main Street Movement, and our blog posts reflected that momentum. We have featured inspiring stories, useful how-tos, and engaging thought leadership. Here are seven of the best blogs we shared in 2023.

The Power of Collaboration: How the Boston Main Streets Foundation Serves the Community as a Public-Private Partnership

Founded in 2007 as a volunteer-driven public-private initiative, Boston Main Streets Foundation is a strong example of achieving shared goals through this type of collective approach. Learn more about the Foundation and their commitment to supporting Boston’s 20 Main Streets districts and the businesses they serve through the development of long-term economic development strategies and funding opportunities for grass-roots community projects.

Read Here >

7 Unique Main Street Business Concepts

Small businesses are the heart of many Main Street communities and local economies. They animate buildings, drive events, provide necessities, and bring people downtown again and again. Many Main Street small businesses feature unique concepts that can't be found anywhere else, providing an additional sense of place and drawing visitors from near and far. We asked Main Street programs to nominate their most interesting and innovative downtown businesses. From cat cafes to podcast studios, these businesses demonstrate the range and imagination of Main Street communities.

Read Here >

Beat the Heat This Summer Using Downtown Design

The world is experiencing record-breaking heat, making outdoor cooling measures increasingly important. From shade to water access, Main Street design can play a critical role in cooling your community. Marta Olmos, Associate Manager of Content and Communications, explored how you can use architectural features, greenery, and water elements to make your Main Street more accessible during these summer heat waves. Get inspired to beat the heat with examples from Lebanon, Indiana; St. Petersburg, Florida; Skowhegan, Maine; and other Main Street communities.

Read Here >

A New Housing Guidebook for Local Leaders

In 2022, Main Street America launched the "At Home on Main Street" research initiative with the generous support of the 1772 Foundation. Through this initiative, we have studied housing data from the U.S. Census, surveyed Main Street programs on the state of housing in their districts, and held a virtual convening of Main Street leaders and affiliates to discuss major issues and potential solutions. This year, we shared the next major product of this effort: A Housing Guidebook for Local Leaders. The Guidebook is a practical and easily digestible report containing practical “how-tos” about identifying housing opportunities, keeping inventory of buildings and vacant spaces, making sense of housing finance, understanding the common code and regulatory challenges encountered with housing development and vacant space activation, and more.

Read Here >

Oh Dear, I Need a Volunteer: How to Build and Manage Your Volunteer Program

Building and maintaining a robust volunteer program is a common challenge faced by Main Street programs. Volunteers are crucial allies in our work, but recruiting and retaining a sustainable volunteer base can be difficult. At the 2023 Main Street Now Conference, North Carolina Main Street presented a session titled "Oh Dear, I Need a Volunteer" outlining their advice for starting and growing a thriving volunteer program. Sherry Adams and Liz Parham from North Carolina Main Street shared the highlights of their conference session and offered ten key takeaways to help Main Streets build and manage their volunteer programs.

Read Here >

How to Build a Youth Board

Main Street programs need to engage and mentor the next generation of Main Street leadership. A youth board is a powerful tool to introduce young people to your mission and build investment in your work. The Historic Downtown Clinton Youth Board is a great example of the impact this program can have on a community. Kathrine Birkbeck at Historic Downtown Clinton shared how her organization worked with local schools to build a youth board. Learn about the exciting projects that the board has initiated and get step-by-step guidance on how you can create your own youth board at your organization.

Read Here >

How Main Streets Can Preserve Historic Neon Signs

Neon signs once brightened Main Streets from coast to coast, and many communities have been lucky to hold on to some of these historic landmarks. Unfortunately, surviving neon signs continue to face many preservation issues, including funding challenges, zoning compliance, and availability of skilled tradespeople. Jeremy Ebersole, board member at the Society for Commercial Archeology, shared the importance of Main Street neon, the current preservation challenges, and the steps you can take to protect neon signs in your community.

Read Here >

We have another great year of blog content planned for 2024, so keep an eye on the space for the latest stories, resources, and ideas from across the Main Street Movement. See you next year!

Franklin Bronze Plaques, a Main Street America Allied Member, is this quarter's Main Spotlight advertiser. For more information about the products and services they provide to Main Street organizations, click here >