Berryville Main Street is an organization founded in 1988 to promote & support downtown Berryville as the commercial, office and cultural center of Berryville & Clarke County. Berryville Main Street gives local citizens an opportunity for involvement in the process of the revitalization & improvement of Berryville either through participation in the committees below, events, or program assistance. Berryville Main Street is a 501(c)3 entity, & acts as the local arm of the Virginia Main Street Program.
Our structure comprises four interactive committees: Design, Organization, Promotion & Economic Restructuring based on the National Main Street four points approach which corresponds with the four forces of real estate value, which are social, political, physical, and economic.
Organization
involves getting everyone working toward the same goal and assembling the appropriate human and financial resources to implement a Main Street revitalization program. A governing board and standing committees make up the fundamental organizational structure of the volunteer-driven program. Volunteers are coordinated and supported by a paid manager as well. This structure not only divides the workload and clearly delineates responsibilities, but also builds consensus and cooperation among the various stakeholders.
Promotion
sells a positive image of the commercial district and encourages consumers and investors to live, work, shop, play and invest in the Main Street district. By marketing a district's unique characteristics to residents, investors, business owners, and visitors, an effective promotional strategy forges a positive image through advertising, retail promotional activity, special events, and marketing campaigns carried out by local volunteers. These activities improve consumer and investor confidence in the district and encourage commercial activity and investment in the area.
Design
means getting Main Street into top physical shape. Capitalizing on its best assets — such as historic buildings and pedestrian-oriented streets. An inviting atmosphere, created through attractive window displays, parking areas, building improvements, street furniture, signs, sidewalks, street lights, and landscaping, conveys a positive visual message about the commercial district and what it has to offer. Design activities also include instilling good maintenance practices in the commercial district, enhancing the physical appearance of the commercial district by encouraging the rehabilitation of historic buildings, developing sensitive design management systems, and long-term planning. Frazier Associates of Staunton Virginia is the design firm supporting the Virginia Main Street Communities.
Economic Restructuring
strengthens a community's existing economic assets while expanding and diversifying its economic base. The Main Street program helps sharpen the competitiveness of existing business owners and recruits compatible new businesses and new economic uses to build a commercial district that responds to today's consumers' needs. Converting unused or underused commercial space into economically productive property also helps boost the profitability of the district.
If you are interested in serving on any of these committees, please contact us by email or phone 540-955-4001.