Why join Main Street as a downtown business member?

Last Updated 3/25/2024 • Posted in News, Stories, Murfreesboro Saturday Market, Main Street Members, Murfreesboro, Rutherford County

When a business downtown joins Main Street as a member they help the movement of enhancing, promoting, and advocating for the entire historic downtown district.

What Main Street Murfreesboro members had to say

Judy Goldie (Trendy Pieces, Bella’s Boutique and The Marketplace) says, “Our stores join the downtown membership each year for several reasons…it serves as a merchant association for our downtown business owners. It helps us build community and support and promote each other. We have so many independently owned businesses that offer a unique experience for customers. Downtown is the heartbeat of Murfreesboro. We appreciate all that Main Street does to support all of us.”

Chris Gerbman (co-owner of Country Gourmet) says, “As a business owner in our Historic Downtown, it just makes sense to invest in an establishment that puts all its efforts into making Downtown even better. I encourage everyone who loves Historic Downtown Murfreesboro to support Main Street!”

Business Members receive benefits that help them!

Collectively, we can do more than on our own! When a business downtown joins Main Street as a member, they help the movement enhance, promote, and advocate for the entire historic downtown district.

Visibility

🔵 Members get two dedicated social media posts for their business on Facebook and Instagram per year. Along with unlimited story shares when Main Street is tagged on Instagram.

🔵 Access to post on our community website calendar. Business hot links on our website.

🔵 Presence on digital downtown map and printed map that is distributed around the city.

🔵 Priority access to "Property Enhancement grants."

🔵 One $50 value ticket for Taste of Rutherford event in July.

Growth

Main Street gives multiple property enhancement grants annually with priority to downtown business members. Main Street works to grow the downtown business district, increase awareness of all the small businesses, and advocate on the downtown's behalf with city government.

Voice

Main Street's board and Executive Director work at the grassroots level to speak on behalf of downtown businesses about issues such as parking, safety, preservation, growth, and funding focused on the downtown infrastructure.

Credibility

Main Street has been a National Main Street program for 39 years and is recognized by the City of Murfreesboro as a partner in Economic Development for the downtown.

Education

Main Street brings speakers downtown for business workshops, free to small businesses, to teach about various topics concerning entrepreneurs. Main Street works with individual business owners on issues they are facing and help they need by connecting them with our partners through the Small Business Development Center, Chamber of Commerce, MTSU, City of Murfreesboro, and the State of Tennessee Economic Development Department.

Network

Main Street helps business with networking, introducing new entrepreneurs with mentors, advocates, financial opportunities, teaching opportunities, property owners, and City Planning.

Main Street Business Membership is $200 annually and $300 for multiple business owners. If you know a new business in our historical downtown area, please invite them to reach out to Kathy Duke for information and ways to get connected!