Berryville Main Street is a not-for-profit that was founded in 1988 to promote & support downtown Berryville as the retail, commercial and cultural center of Berryville & Clarke County.

 

Organization

 

Main Street is a not-for-profit organization managed by a Board of Directors with assistance of two paid staff members.

 

The board consists of the eleven members, each serving for a maximum of two continuous three years terms.

 

2009-2010 Board of Directors

 

Officers

Diane Harrison, President

Center Ring Design

 

Christy Dunkle, Vice President

Berryville Town Planner and Assistant Town Manager

 

Kate Petranech, Treasurer

Kate Petranech Advertising

 

Board of Directors

Ellis Chapman, Blossman Gas

Geneva Jackson

Paul Jones

Maral Kalbian, Architectural Historian

Jeanne Krohn, Krohn Design

Byron Pitts, BB&T

 

Susan Goldizen is the Main Street Manager

Heidi Brown is the Accountant and Bookkeeper.

 

History and Structure

 

In 1992 Berryville Main Street was accepted into the National Trust for Historic Preservation’s “Main Street” program, created to promote the revitalization of small towns across the USA.   It is one of only 21 towns in the state of Virginia to achieve this prestigious designation.

 

Though national in scope, the initiative is administered by the states. In Virginia, it’s called the Virginia Main Street Program. [hotlink].  Each Main Street program uses this same four point approach to achieve its goals: 

 

Organization – Identifies and obtains the financial and human resources needed to carry out the organization’s mission and goals.

 

Design -- Evaluates, enhances, and maintains the town’s natural assets to make the district

more inviting and accessible to residents and visitors alike.

 

Promotion – Creates events and activities to bring people into the historic district and keep them coming back.

 

Economic Revitalization – Strengthens existing economic assets and fosters new ones to

enhance the retail mix (and the revenue that comes with it.) 

 

Activities

 

Each year Berryville Main Street reviews and updates its strategic plan to ensure ongoing

growth and development in the historic district.

 

Highlights from the 2009-2010 work plan include:

 

·         Open a new retail destination on Main Street -- the Fire House Gallery & Shop

 

·         Launch a Resource Center for individuals interested in starting or expanding a business in the historic district

 

·         Increase awareness, traffic and revenue for merchants through the creation of an all-community festival in the historic district in fall.