LAUREL MAIN STREET CANCELS NEW YEAR’S EVE EVENT

Name: Wine and Design
Start: 2023-03-21T17:00:00-05:00
End: 2023-03-21T19:00:00-05:00
Location: Lott Furniture Co.

Tuesday, December 15th, 2020 Downtown Countdown, LMS Events, Press

PRESS RELEASE

For Immediate Release Contact: Susan Ladd,

Laurel Main Street Executive Director

(601) 433-3255

LAUREL MAIN STREET CANCELS NEW YEAR’S EVE EVENT

Laurel, Mississippi (December 15, 2020) — It is with deep sadness and heavy hearts that Laurel Main Street (LMS) announces the cancellation of this year’s Downtown Countdown, due to take place on December 31, 2020.

This is not a decision we have taken lightly but given the growing concerns around COVID-19, the Laurel Main Street Board of Directors felt it was the right decision. Downtown Countdown was an incredibly successful event in its inaugural year, and one we looked forward to continuing, but we must prioritize the health and safety of our partners, volunteers, and community.

“We are devastated to share this news and had held out hope that our county and city would be in a much healthier situation, but that is not the case,” LMS President, Truitt Taylor, stated. “After reviewing the Governor’s mandates, the rise of COVID-19 cases in our area, and in close consultation with our city leaders, we believe that cancellation is the appropriate call.”

We remain committed to downtown Laurel and our mission of economic revitalization. We appreciate the support of our city leaders, Main Street Partners, Members, and event sponsors, and we look forward to resuming in-person events in 2021.

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Laurel Main Street is an organization dedicated to the revitalization of Historic Downtown Laurel. Using the four-point approach of organization, design, promotion and economic restructuring, Main Street communities boost local business from the city center outward. Laurel Main Street is an accredited Main Street America organization.

“The One” Awards

Friday, July 12th, 2019 Downtown Entrepreneurs, General, LMS Events

Once a year the Laurel Main Street organization honors members of our downtown community for their commitment to the Main Street cause and their dedication to our community with “The One” Awards. The awards were named for a phrase that pops up again and again during brainstorming or event planning sessions:

“Those who say it cannot be done should get out of the way of THE ONEs who are doing it!”

We celebrate the dreamers, the doers, and THE ONES whose desire to improve their community is evident in all their pursuits.

LMS President, Lew Yoder, welcomes attendees to the annual awards banquet.

Our attendees enjoyed great food and fellowship at Studio5Fifty with those who share their affinity for downtown Laurel. Awards were created by local calligrapher and artist Jade Yoder of Paper Studio and were presented by Laurel Main Street President, Lew Yoder.

Downtown Business of the Year

Wayne & Melissa Bryant, owners of The Loblolly Boutique & Crescent Line Toys were named Downtown Business of the Year. They are THE ONES who have worked tirelessly to create an engaging and inviting atmosphere inside their store, and even on the sidewalk in front! Their work in the downtown community is widespread and we appreciate their dedication to downtown Laurel and Laurel Main Street! Whether they are rallying downtown merchants, creating the most magical scene in Trustmark Art Park for The Magic of Downtown at Christmas, the Bryants have shown that their love for downtown knows no bounds.

The children of Wayne & Melissa Bryant accepting the award for Downtown Business of the Year on their behalf.

THE ONE Award

THE ONE Award is presented each year to Laurel Main Street’s top volunteer. This year, Carl & Mandy Buchanan received THE ONE Award. The Buchanans are fixtures of the downtown scene and are always ready to lend a hand. At Main Street events, you’ll often find Mandy helping out in the t-shirt trailer, but their real dedication shines in their artwork. For years, attendees to the Magnolia State Bank Chili Cook Off have had the opportunity to purchase one of Carl’s “bottomless” chili bowls. These one-of-a-kind bowls have somewhat of a cult following, with people from around the world asking if they can purchase one and have it shipped to them. Carl and Mandy also create the awards for the Chili Cook Off and Crawfest — unique platters, which serve as a reminder of a wonderful day in downtown Laurel. The Buchanans serve with a cheerful heart and are always on board to lend a hand or throw an extra bowl in the kiln. Thank you for your service to Laurel Main Street!

Carl & Mandy Buchanan receive “The One” award for Laurel Main Street volunteers of the year.

All photos property of Robby Scruggs and Scruggs Photography.

A Banner Year: 2017 Year End Review

Saturday, December 30th, 2017 General

2017 was certainly one for the record books! The Main Street America program saw a ten-year high in community reinvestment. “Despite some media reports about the demise of Main Streets, many local business districts are thriving as a result of sound economic planning and community engagement,” said Patrice Frey, president and CEO of the National Main Street Center, which supports the Main Street America communities.

Since 1980, Main Street America communities have reinvested $70.255 billion, created 132,092 new businesses, created 584,422 jobs and rehabilitated 268,053 buildings.

Local Growth

In its 10th year, Laurel Main Street saw record growth as well. More and more people are choosing to live, work and shop in places with a distinct sense of place and strong quality of life. Over $8.5 million of private money has been invested in the restoration of 14 buildings, 12 business expansions and 22 facade improvements in Downtown Laurel since 2007, resulting in multiple awards from the Mississippi Main Street Association.

The LMS Façade & Amenities grant was created to help downtown business owners refresh and update their downtown buildings. A fully funded grant will reimburse up to one-third of the funds invested in the project by the applicant. This year, we were able to award over $20,000 in facade grants to downtown business owners.

We are incredibly thankful for the individuals, families, and businesses that have chosen to become a part of the revitalization of Downtown Laurel. Their commitment to growth and positive change is the reason LMS exists, and we could not be more grateful for the 30 new members and 5 new partners who have joined the movement to create a better tomorrow here in Mississippi’s Downtown.

Starting a new business takes a lot of hard work. We are constantly amazed at the entrepreneurial spirit that lives among us. It was a busy year, and we were thrilled to welcome 16 new businesses to the downtown community.

The Highlights

Laurel Main Street kicks off each new year with the annual Magnolia State Bank Chili Cook Off. With 28 enthusiastic teams competing and almost 3,000 chili-loving attendees coming out to taste their wares, the 6th Annual Magnolia State Bank Chili Cook Off was our best cook off event yet!

In April, kids of all ages enjoyed our annual Touch a Truck event. Children and parents enjoyed this unique opportunity to explore vehicles of all types – public service, emergency, utility, construction, transportation, delivery and “fun & flashy” trucks – in one place!

As the temperatures climbed and the summer sun shined fresh produce and homemade goods filled “The Brick Yard” in downtown. Shoppers found the best of homemade, handcrafted, and homegrown products each Thursday along with an assortment of food trucks. We are so appreciative of the generous sponsorship from Central Sunbelt Federal Credit Union! After the market, downtown welcomed droves of movie-goers for Downtown Movie Night, a favorite summertime family tradition, produced by Agape Church.

A little hurricane in the forecast couldn’t keep the scarecrows away! The 2017 Scarecrow Harvest saw doubled participation and an extra helping of excitement leading up to Loblolly Festival! Downtown Laurel hosted vendors from across the south, artists, crafters and craftsmen plus musicians and food trucks. Everyone in attendance enjoyed shopping, festival food, and photos with our lovable Loblolly Lumberjack!

In the fall, activities in Laurel abound as do opportunities to shop local. We were proud to once again serve as the neighborhood champion for Small Business Saturday, and were thrilled to hear from the downtown retailers who experienced record-breaking sales!

Of course, December Downtown is always a magical time; starting with the lighting of the Christmas tree in Pinehurst Park to the annual Sertoma of Laurel Christmas Parade and Kiwanis Pancake Day. Laurel Little Theatre‘s showing of The Polar Express movie, the YWCA’s Victorian Christmas Tea and the Charlie Brown Jazz Christmas presentation, added even more family friendly activities . The merchants of Downtown Laurel celebrated the Christmas season with an evening of shopping and family fun which included cookie decorating with Mrs. Claus, crafts at HAND+made, a live nativity in Makers Alley, and trolley rides throughout downtown!

We were pleased to welcome some special guests to Laurel this year, including the film crew from Blue Magnolia Films which produced a video series celebrating Mississippi’s Bicenntenial. We were thrilled to host The Market Beautiful not once, but TWICE this year! Historic Downtown Laurel also became an official geo-caching sight, and one of Downtown Laurel’s oldest businesses, Lott Furniture Co., celebrated their 100th anniversary.

Whew! What a year!

Looking Forward

We’re bursting with excitement over the promise of 2018. You can expect more businesses to open, more events, and more efforts to beautify and restore Historic Downtown Laurel!