Charm, Businesses Entice Locals and Visitors to Mt. Sterling’s Downtown
business, downtown, main street center, national trust for historic preservation, renaissance kentucky silver city,,
With tree-shaded streets‚ vibrant flower boxes and beautifully renovated historic buildings‚ downtown Mt. Sterling lures visitors from miles around to its collection of charming shops‚ eateries and offices.
“I came here from a big city‚ and this quaint downtown was just such a fantastic area. With such a great atmosphere‚ it was the perfect place to locate‚” says Kim Delaney‚ owner of the children’s boutique Oopsie Daisies‚ one of the shops clustered around the stately Montgomery County Courthouse square.
Oopsie Daisies’ success has exceeded even Delaney’s rosiest expectations. “Once people found I was here‚ word-of-mouth started spreading‚ and customers started coming from farther and farther away. Like a lot of other downtown merchants‚ I fill a niche and offer something really unique - items you can’t get at Wal-Mart.”
The care taken to maintain and restore the community’s architectural gems led to Mt. Sterling being named one of 31 Kentucky communities in the Preserve America program‚ a White House initiative to encourage preservation efforts and enjoyment of America’s heritage‚ says Laura Tipton‚ executive director of the Mt. Sterling Main Street Program.
Mt. Sterling also has been designated a Renaissance Kentucky Silver City and is a member of the Main Street Center of the National Trust for Historic Preservation. “The city of Mt. Sterling is committed to preserving America’s heritage while ensuring a future filled with opportunities for learning and enjoyment‚” Tipton says.
Enjoyment is indeed a key part of the downtown experience‚ according to Roberta Gilbert‚ owner of The Plaid Rabbit‚ a home décor and gift shop. “We really try to keep things fun and friendly down here. We’re a very community-minded group‚” says Gilbert‚ who serves as president of the unofficial downtown merchants’ group.
The merchants are working to boost awareness of downtown businesses not only locally but regionally. Gilbert says her goal is to see “every storefront full and families strolling up and down the street every Saturday. It’s a couple of years away from that‚ but we are going in the right direction.”
Helping to attract families are events like the monthly First Friday gallery series‚ in which downtown merchants extend their business hours and offer special promotions in conjunction with the Gallery for the Arts’ gallery-talk programs. Also popular are the Main Event summer concert series showcasing regional bands; Boo Around Town‚ a safe‚ kid-centered Halloween happening; and the Christmas parade.
“Not only can you shop or eat down here‚ but you can bring your family and wander down the streets and enjoy the wonderful atmosphere‚” says boutique owner Delaney.
Glenda Richardson‚ owner of the relatively new Aroma’s Koffee Kottage‚ testifies as to how alluring Mt. Sterling is. Richardson notes that she relocated to the area to be near her grandchildren‚ and even though they have since moved away‚ “Mt. Sterling welcomed me so well‚ I decided to make it my home for good.”
Story by Anna America
Photo by Stephen Cherry
