This Fall, Independent We Stand, a national small business movement, kicked-off its sixth annual America’s Main Streets contest titled this year, “Road to Recovery,” a web-driven contest to help consumers, small business owners and Main Street organizations reward a deserving Main Street District with $25,000 in cash and sponsor-related prizes.
Whether the local Main Street is making a comeback from the COVID-19 pandemic or never lost its staying power, Independent We Stand invited the public to help draw attention to the vital role America’s Main Streets play in the long-term success of communities by nominating and voting for their favorite Main Street. Downtown Salisbury is among this year’s nominees!
“Independent We Stand wants to help locally owned businesses not just survive the pandemic, but thrive in their communities,” says Independent We Stand co-founder Bill Brunelle. “After the massive nationwide shutdowns due to COVID, we recognize the pride business owners take in their Main Streets, and we want to help share those stories through our contest. It’s more important now than ever, to get behind these businesses with our support.”
Main Street in Downtown Salisbury, MD is a historic street lined closely by breathtaking architecture. It has undergone the course of what many other Downtowns have – the rise and fall of retail, the primacy of the automobile, and experimentation with pedestrian malls. It has survived two major fires and somehow many beautiful buildings remain. In recent years, it has become host to many outdoor festivals, including the National Folk Festival – America’s largest and oldest traditional arts/music festival.
Main Street has survived and thrived after a 4-year renovation in the entire length of the 2 longest streets (Main and Division) were torn up for a water/sewer/fiber/streetscaping plan. Through grit and cooperation, more restaurants, bars and shops exist on those 2 streets than ever before with construction underway on hundreds of apartments, new stores, a distillery and a steak house.
Recently, Salisbury University opened a major Entrepreneurship Center and a University Store on the street, and student housing is under construction on the same street as well. Two new coworking spaces have opened and retail has made a surprising comeback. A fencing club, skate store and indoor half-pipe, and a brand new performing arts center are new arrivals as well. There is no happier, friendlier or more diverse street in America to walk down on a 3rd Friday of the month, when the community gathers in our Downtown to shop, eat, enjoy, and explore everything that the Main Street district has to offer!
If Salisbury wins, the beneficiary of the prize money would be Salisbury Arts and Entertainment District, the non-profit organization responsible for many public art installations, 3rd Friday, and other events. The Salisbury Arts and Entertainment District works to foster the economic vitality of Downtown Salisbury by building partnerships to develop, support and promote diverse artistic, entertainment and cultural endeavors that preserve a sense of place, appreciate the unique character of the District, and build community pride.
“This is an incredible and simple way for members of the Salisbury community (and beyond) to help further our Main Street district’s renaissance. We encourage everyone to participate in the contest by voting, getting friends and family to vote, and showing the Downtown Salisbury community the support that they showed the public during the peak of COVID-19 shutdowns,” shared Mayor Jake Day.
To vote for Salisbury in the 2021 America’s Main Streets contest, visit https://www.mainstreetcontest.com/profile/106 and tap vote.