COLUMBIA (WACH) -- Business leaving Main Street has been an ongoing challenge for the City of Columbia, but the downtown district was anything but abandoned on Thursday.
Whether walking or riding, the Urban Tour gave Midlands residents a different view of Main Street.
“I love this area, so when I heard about this event I hurried down here,” says resident Patricia Jenkins.
In its fourth year, the Urban Tour featured all that Downtown Columbia has to offer with a few added surprises.
City leaders have been working to revitalize the area for several years and while progress is slow, officials say it’s promising.
“I think that there is definitely a shift in what happens between 9:00 to 5:00 p.m. and after,” according to Katherine Swartz, Executive Director of COR.
Nearly 30 businesses kept their doors open late for the Urban Tour, but owner of Fancy That Bistro and Catering says the overtime will pay off.
“We did it last year right after we opened up and it really brought a lot of new customers in,” says Fancy That owner Harvey Etheredge.
Officials estimate the event, which took place between Gervais and Laurel Streets attracted several thousand people, and they hope it will end with a few new businesses wanting to move in.
With competition from the Vista and Five Points districts, is there enough business to make Main Street boom again? Vote in our poll below and leave a comment to weigh in.
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