“Downtown Florence Main Street sets a national standard for downtown revitalization rooted in community connections,” said Main Street America Interim President and CEO, Hannah White. “Their success demonstrates the power of creative approaches to engaging stakeholders, creating a strong culture of volunteerism, and fostering pathways to increased downtown housing, while also championing the preservation of historic community assets.”
The James Allen Plaza--constructed by volunteers, City staff, and local artists—is a welcoming space for celebrations, community events, and relaxation. Credit: True Light Photography.
At just eight blocks, downtown Florence is a jewel where locals and visitors find exceptional local dining, award-winning entertainment venues, whimsical public art, and buildings rich in architectural heritage. It has not always been the case, however, that Florence’s downtown enjoyed this reputation as a place of vibrant businesses and welcoming gathering spaces.
For decades, the area suffered from a negative public perception fueled by empty storefronts, racial divides, and a practice of demolishing neglected, yet culturally significant, buildings in favor of new construction. Efforts to address these issues began in 2002 with limited success, until the organization began implementing a community-informed revitalization plan in 2011. Through strategic initiatives to leverage dedicated volunteers, establish partnerships, and support catalytic projects, this plan has generated over 100 units of new housing, $300 million in investment, and over 90 new businesses.
Left: Shoppers enjoy the Saturday farmers' market at the City Center Market facility, also home to a commercial kitchen, market shed, gathering green, and micro-storefronts. Credit: Grayson Markle. Right: Youngsters enjoy playing in the Girffin Plaza Splash Pad, a previously underutilized green space reimagined by Downtown Florence Main Street. Credit: Phil Eich.
One notable catalytic project consisted of working with the City to increase access to healthy foods and create economic opportunities for food, artisan, and warehouse-based businesses by establishing a new overlay district through zoning provisions. Downtown Florence Main Street worked in partnership with the City of Florence to address food access through support and development of foundational processes for the City Center Market and Kitchen—a municipal-owned commercial kitchen and market facility that supports over 20 food-based entrepreneurs and 40+ farmers market vendors. The program also worked with the City and other partners to anchor a downtown grocery store within the district to support downtown’s residential growth and eliminate a USDA food desert.
Left: Locals love the DIY Place for its fun projects, creative space, and welcoming staff. Credit: DIY Place. Right: A great example of co-tenancy, King Jefe Tacos partnered with a local sushi chef to expand offering in their eclectic and popular downtown restaurant. Credit: Phil Eich for Downtown Florence Main Street.
“Being selected as a winner of the 2023 Great American Main Street Award is an unbelievable honor—it’s the once in a lifetime achievement representing the boundless investment, hard work, tenacity, and vision from local investors and partners, small business owners and residents, government officials and leaders, and our statewide Main Street network over the last twenty years—and especially over the last decade,” remarked Hannah L. Davis, Main Street Program Manager at Downtown Florence Main Street. “Once described as too far gone to be saved, Downtown Florence has become the place to be, to live, and to do business in our region, and we aren’t done yet!”
Left: Aba, a 218 N. Dargan Street mural team member, works on details during installation. Right: The 218 N. Dargan Street mural after installation honors the community's barbershop culture and pays homage to Rev. William Thompson, Sr. Credit: Downtown Florence Main Street.
The organization is also proud of its ongoing efforts to bridge both physical and metaphorical divides through meaningful conversation and intentional action. In 2019, a data-backed and strategic approach to ensure that the board of directors mirrors the community yielded this desired effect. The newly installed North Dargan Street Mural is the latest in the organization’s efforts to honor the legacy of Black entrepreneurship, enhance the downtown’s African American Historic Business District, and foster community trust.
Left: The employee of a Downtown Florence Main Street business participates in the annual campaign to encourage locals to "Shop Small" during the winter holiday season. Credit: Downtown Florence Main Street. Right: Guests enjoy shopping and sampling at the Downtown Florence Chocolate Crawl. Credit: True Light Photography.
“Florence winning GAMSA is a tremendous achievement. The Downtown Florence Main Street team models exemplary revitalization with strong partnerships, visible transformation, and a commitment to historic preservation,” said Jenny Boulware, State Coordinator at Main Street South Carolina. “Downtown Florence has brought a new level of respect and awareness to the power of the Main Street Approach across South Carolina and throughout our southern region. We are excited to celebrate this prestigious win – and how fitting for it to be awarded during the state Main Street network’s fortieth year.”
Learn more about Downtown Florence Main Street >