Main Street Matters

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Historic Main Streets have a competitive market advantage. Like Norway’s Main Street, they have an edge over shopping centers and malls. Main Streets in historic downtowns are mixed-use districts offering not just retail stores, but also housing, offices, government, entertainment and cultural venues, businesses and health services. Our Main Street has it all.

Economic value is key. One of the forces that produces economic value is uniqueness, and historic Main Streets are authentic places that offer unique experiences with intrinsic economic and social value. Main Streets are one-of-a-kind places. Norway Downtown strives to promote this image which sets our Main Street apart from neighboring communities and urban “sprawl.” Norway is special.

However, there is work to be done. Our Main Street must meet local consumer and community needs. Norway Downtown works, not only with presentation and promotions, but with recruitment and retention of businesses.

With key properties at mid-point on Main Street vacant, the efforts of building owners, property managers, the Town of Norway and our Economic Restructuring Committee are focused on recruiting businesses to fill these vacancies in the Opera House, Crane Building and the Odd Fellows Building. The committee gives references to building owners of other vacant properties about potential tenants.

Establishing a niche will help revitalization efforts and strengthen our market position. What is it that people might associate with Norway’s Main Street that is different? It no longer reflects its industrial past except for the landmark buildings it built.

Now the commercial needs of its citizens can be met in the surrounding communities and in Route 26 enterprises. Norway’s Main Street needs a clear market specialization for shoppers and visitors who will contribute to the local economy.

Norway’s successful businesses are already popular destinations and provide unique opportunities and special services. And survey results point again and again to what our residents and visitors want to see on Main Street – restaurants, bakery, brewery and bar, candy/ice cream shop, toy/game store, clothing store, craft store, music/instrument store, pet store, paper/stationery store, fabric/embroidery store, women’s shoe/clothing store, Maine artisans’ store, decorating store, kitchen/cooking shop, realtor office, and a specialized grocery store.

Our architectural gems and special events may attract and introduce people to Main Street, but local businesses are really what make a business district work. As Norway Downtown’s Economic Restructuring Committee works to recruit businesses, we ask you all to contribute your thoughts and ideas to David Holt, Town Manager, Town of Norway, at barracuda@megalink.net. Do you have an idea or a contact? Let us know.

The vision of Main Street’s future has been the focus of more than one study. Agreement centers on maintaining the authenticity of the street. With a clear vision and focus, the development of Main Street can meet the needs of the community and recapture the economic and social vitality that is its heritage.