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"You could feel a little bit of energy or a potential," says Plessinger.

In the past decade, a considerable amount of time, effort and millions of dollars has been poured into revitalizing the downtown Main street corridor and still there's plenty of empty real estate. Plenty of buildings neighboring Plessinger's store, even on the same block, have for sale signs up or space available for lease.

However, many say that's about to change.  With construction work starting on the Mast General Store and the new home of the Nickelodeon Theatre, a growing number suggest Main street is about to have a major boom thanks to a boost from the artistic community.

"You can feel a buzz on Main Street right now that something's happening," says Fred Delk, executive director of the Columbia Development Corporation. "And I think we will see them continue to happen."

Delk is all in when it comes to art and he's banking on the creative set to trigger a shift.

"It is to a large degree about pedestrian traffic and creating a city that is connected and that is inviting," says Delk.

A model for success is just blocks away in Columbia's Vista. Three decades ago it was an all but forgotten area filled with abandoned buildings and warehouses. A quarter-century later it's thriving after local artists set up galleries and turned empty space into a downtown destination.

"Creative people are just amazingly good at taking a space that others may see as old and dirty and worn out and building something," says Delk.

And if you look close enough, something is building on Main Street. Street performers, art displays and people crowd around Mark Plessinger's store once a month for First Thursdays on Main, a monthly arts display that draws big crowds. It wasn't always like that. Two years ago, Plessinger embraced the power of culture and developed a once a month art show. Fifteen people showed up the first time and now hundreds pour into his store and other Main Street spots for a sampling of what the region has to offer on the first Thursday of every month.

"People want to go out for culture," says Plessinger. "Ultimately, the health of the street helps determine the health of me and my store, Frame of Mind, or any other store down here."

New Columbia mayor Steve Benjamin has pledged a commitment to the arts and that show of support has Plessinger and others feeling like the long-dormant downtown Main Street corridor is a blank canvas for a thriving district.

"This time next year you're going to see a completely different Main Street," says Plessinger. "And it's exciting."