We all know Main Street is going through a revitalization. While all this new business is good for the City – it’s been a long-time goal, after all – it also means higher rental rates and a changing demographic for longtime businesses + residents of Main.

Timeline of Main St.:

From the 1970s through the 2000s, Main St. was in a consistent decline after big-brand department stores (Macy’s, Belk) moved to the suburbs.
In July of 1998 the Columbia Museum of Art relocated to Main St. – and some say this was what helped put downtown’s revitalization into motion.
With Mayor Steve Benjamin’s election in 2010, business began a mass migration back to Main St.
$500+ million in private investment has been pumped into the area in the last 10 years, and over $38 million in the last few years.
With higher demand for Main St. real estate, rent prices have increased almost 100% in just five years (~$20/sqft/yr now vs. $10-12/sqft/yr).

“Legacy businesses” + how they’re dealing:

Washington Street Barber Shop | 122 Washington St. | ~30 years | closing Dec. 22 → rent too high
International Wigs | 1643 Main St. | ~45 years | thinking of moving or closing → doesn’t fit
Solid Gold Beauty Supplies | 1612 Main St. | three-generations | thinking of making changes → new demographic
House of Fabrics | formerly 1312 Main St. | ~60 years | selling building + relocated to Bush River Rd. → couldn’t afford safety repairs
Jeff Morris Furniture and Appliances | 1645 Main St. | 23 years | would consider selling the building in the future, but here to stay for now
Oakley’s Old Cobbler Shoe Repair | 1629 Main St. | ~10 years | sparse parking has been deterring customers, but they’re making it work
Drake’s Duck-In | 1544 Main St. | ~2 decades | hoping more traffic = more customers

15 min read / Free Times