Why Main Street?

Queen Street looking south

Main Street Martinsburg is one of the longest active Main Street Program in the state of West Virginia. Established in 1992, our non-profit organization has seen many highs and lows both socially and economically. But, Martinsburg is not unique in that it shares these ebbs and flows with many a small town across our country. It is no coincidence that our local Main Street chapter was established only a year after the opening of the Martinsburg Mall. Just on the outskirts of the historic downtown district, the Martinsburg Mall posed the same threat to our local economy that its counterparts had on their respective communities throughout the United States. But the Main Street Approach would aim to correct that! 

In 1977, the National Trust for Historic Preservation launched “The Main Street Project” in three pilot Midwest communities. This was in response to the troubling new development patterns of communities across America ditching downtowns for shiny new shopping centers, which started in the 1950’s, and by the 1970’s was wreaking havoc on our local economic stability. Small towns in America were centered around the idea that Main Street mattered, both socially and economically. Once big box stores conspired with shopping centers to offer more “convenience” and access to brand name products which were usually associated with trips to large cities, the vacancies and deterioration of our downtown’s soon followed.

So what now? What’s the Main Street Approach, and why does it matter? You may be asking yourself… “Every community is different and unique, how can a one-size-fits-all national approach serve every community?” Well, you’d be correct! The Main Street Approach allows for flexibility in execution but structure in our scope. The Four Point Approach is the key to Main Street America’s success. Thousands of Main Street communities utilize these four pillars of Design, Organization, Promotion, and Economic Vitality to revitalize their towns and cities. 

Here at Main Street Martinsburg, we pair the Main Street Approach with a local mission to preserve and promote our downtown as a community treasure. Main Street Martinsburg is a collaboration of dedicated volunteers, business and property owners, concerned citizens, and local governments working together to promote and enhance the economic strength of historic downtown Martinsburg. We want to protect our downtown’s heritage and history while encouraging a diverse and robust economic ecosystem. Per our by-laws, our incorporations purpose consists of:

• To promote the historic preservation, protection and use of Martinsburg’s historic downtown area, including that area’s commercial, civic and religious enterprises and residences;

• To take remedial actions to eliminate the physical, economic and social deterioration of Martinsburg’s historic downtown area, contribute to its community betterment while lessening the burdens of Martinsburg’s government;

• To disseminate information of and promote interest in preservation, history, culture, architecture, and public use of Martinsburg’s traditional downtown area;

• To hold meetings, seminars, and other activities for the instruction of members and the public in these activities such as building rehabilitation and design, economic restructuring and planning management that foster the preservation of Martinsburg’s traditional downtown area, and enhance the understanding and appreciation of its history, culture, and architectures;

• To aid, work with and participate in the activities of other organizations, individuals and public and private entities located within and outside Martinsburg engaged in similar purposes.

Queen Street looking south

The success of Main Street Martinsburg depends on community support. It depends on you. Our downtown community has seen businesses come and go. It’s seen families relocate here, children grow up here, and loved ones laid to rest here. We all have social ties to our downtown… after all it is our downtown. While many of us are not fortunate enough to own a parcel of its land or a business that inhabits it, we are all stewards of our downtown and its unique history which shapes us all. Our downtown is a vessel for our shared heritage and childhood memories. It’s the center of our region, and the heartbeat of our community. I’ll be highlighting those four pillars of Main Street and how our staff, board of directors, and volunteers are actively utilizing them to combat the disease of apathy and decay in our downtown. I’ll also be sharing how you can be a part of our organizations revitalization efforts.