Business Alliance Works To Keep Downtown Thriving
How’s this for a clever name: the Only Downtown Business Alliance.
The alliance was formed in January 2008 for one specific purpose – to promote and assist “only” the businesses that are operating throughout the downtown Murfreesboro area. The organization has already grown from five alliance members to about 50.
“We’re a group that meets monthly and focuses on information and inspiration, detailing how we can continue to keep downtown Murfreesboro moving forward,” says Bill Shacklett, president of the Only Downtown Business Alliance and owner of Shacklett’s Photography in the downtown district. “Downtown Murfreesboro continues to be a nice, scenic place to walk around, and it’s interesting because of its historic buildings. Plus there is a wide variety of retail, service and restaurant options.”
Shacklett says that while many cities across America have lost the vibrancy of their downtown areas, Murfreesboro was fortunate and smart enough in 1985 to participate in the Main Street revitalization project that kept the district alive.
“We are fortunate to have an aesthetically pleasing downtown corridor that is very friendly to pedestrians who are shopping or relaxing at a restaurant or cafe,” he says. “It’s been encouraging that even in these slow national economic times, we still have a robust district with a lot of foot traffic.”
Shacklett says downtown Murfreesboro has always been a place where entrepreneurial spirits could blossom and thrive. Now he would like to see more residential housing and loft apartment opportunities become available.
“If people start living downtown, then retail stores and restaurants will obviously flourish even more,” he says. “Some building owners and developers are currently expressing interest in the downtown movement, and there are quite a few residences scheduled to open in downtown Murfreesboro during 2010.”
Story by Kevin Litwin
