Town and Story

Main Street

6 articles

Construction barriers and heavy machinery line a closed section of Blue Springs' Main Street, with storefronts of local businesses partially hidden, illustrating the impact of the ongoing project.
Main Street News

Blue Springs Main Street construction begins, impacting downtown businesses

Downtown Blue Springs' Main Street is now a construction zone, a transformation not slated for completion until spring 2027.

Vincent Moretti·August 10, 2026
A lively Main Street with independent shops and people browsing books, symbolizing the successful integration of local businesses with online platforms.
Main Street News

Local platforms preserve Main Street's essence, capture market share

In its first year, Bookshop.

Samuel Reed·July 16, 2026
A lively downtown street with a glowing pop-up shop attracting diverse shoppers, contrasted against traditional brick-and-mortar stores.
Main Street News

Pop-Up Retail's Impact on Downtown Areas: A Double-Edged Sword for Local Shops

A vacant storefront in downtown Boise, empty for three years, hosted five different pop-up concepts in 2023, generating 150% of its previous annual rent, according to a Local Property Management Repor

Vincent Moretti·July 10, 2026
A lively Main Street filled with people enjoying community events and local businesses, highlighting economic vitality.
Main Street News

Local events are vital for community economic vitality.

The Ellis Theater's activities alone contributed to a remarkable 31% increase in Philadelphia, Mississippi's sales tax.

Vincent Moretti·July 5, 2026
A split image showing a thriving small-town Main Street on one side and a distant, modern city skyline on the other, symbolizing the rural-urban economic divide.
Main Street News

Main Street's Uneven Evolution: Rural-Urban Divide

In May 2026, the overall Rural Mainstreet Index (RMI) dropped to 45.

Samuel Reed·June 19, 2026
A lively historic Main Street with preserved architecture, people enjoying shops and cafes, showcasing community and economic vitality.
Main Street News

Historic Main Street buildings drive community and economic vitality

In Goliad, Texas, over 1,600 volunteer hours in 2025 translated into more than $55,000 in economic value, a powerful engine behind historic Main Street revitalization.

Samuel Reed·June 16, 2026