Terresia Scoble, NC Main Street Manager

230 W. Morehead Street, Reidsville, NC 27320

336-347-2307

The downtown area of Reidsville was like many of its counterparts across the state in the 1970s, seeing a decline in business opportunities due to the emergence of malls and shopping centers. The Reidsville Downtown Corporation, a nonprofit organization financed by monies from the Downtown District Tax, was created in 1976 to lead the charge to revitalize the downtown. Joint projects of the Downtown Corporation and the City of Reidsville have been participation in the Main Street Program, the Streetscape Program and Façade Incentive Grant program. Each of these programs was initiated to aid in the revitalization of the downtown and improve the area aesthetically.

“Antique Alley District”

Finding a “niche” in the business community was going to be the key to success if Reidsville’s downtown area was to survive. In response, the downtown area’s “Antique Alley District” was born. Today Reidsville’s downtown, including Southwest Market, Settle and South Scales streets, features antique shops and antique malls. Unfortunately, the decline in the antiques business has led officials to look for new ways to promote downtown Reidsville. The Reidsville Downtown Corporation and the City of Reidsville have been working to create a cultural arts atmosphere in the heart of the city. The various shops focusing on arts and crafts is helping to broaden the downtown's scope beyond antiques.

The Reidsville Downtown Corporation, located in the basement of Reidsville City Hall, 230 W. Morehead Street, continues to oversee the downtown business area. Its board of directors makes recommendations to the City Council on issues involving the downtown. The Corporation provides a variety of special events and promotions throughout the year. The most well known is the Reidsville Downtown Fall Festival, which is an annual autumn celebration held the second Saturday in October. The festival has grown from one block of Market Street to encompassing eight City blocks in the downtown area. The City’s downtown streets are roped off to allow thousands of festival visitors the opportunity to not only visit the local antique shops but also to enjoy classic cars and street rods, an antique engine show, ole-timey demonstrations, crafts, food, music and activities geared to the children.

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Downtown Farmers Market

From May until November, visitors can enjoy fresh produce at the Downtown Farmers Market located in Market Square on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays. Beginning at 6:00 a.m., the market features farm-fresh, homegrown fruits and vegetables, homemade canned and baked items. The market usually wraps up around mid-day. In operation for some 20 years, the Farmers Market attracts many area farmers, many of whom are on hand to deliver old Farmers Market stories of interest along with your purchase. In August of 2009, the Farmers Market moved to its new permanent location at Market Square located at the corner of Settle and Scales streets.

The 2010 Opening of the Farmers Market is set for Saturday, April 17. More details to follow.

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“Spring Shop, Stroll & Cruise In ”

Downtown merchants hold their annual spring open house the second weekend in April. Shops feature special sales throughout the weekend. There are food vendors, musical entertainment, the Farmer's Market and more. In 2007, the EZ Street Cruisers Car Club held a "cruise in" during the "Spring Shop, Stroll & Cruise In" weekend, sponsored by Smith Stokes. Other "cruise ins" were held the second Friday of each month from 6-9 p.m. from April to September. All were sponsored by Smith Stokes and televised by Star News. The success of these "cruise ins" led to the event being repeated in 2008 and again in 2009.

Other Special Events

The Downtown Corporation invites patrons to visit downtown Reidsville whenever possible, especially when special events are scheduled. Throughout the year, those events include:

• Downtown Christmas Open House & Customer Appreciation – Saturday and Sunday before Thanksgiving

• Downtown Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony – Sunday before Thanksgiving, in conjunction with the Christmas Open House

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Special Promotions

Whether you live in Reidsville or just visiting, you might want to keep a little bit of Reidsville with you. The Downtown Corporation annually sold “Christmas in Reidsville” ornaments. While the series ended in 2005, some ornaments are still available for $5 each or five ornaments for $20. The last addition to this limited edition collection was the ornament featuring Downtown's Old Texaco Service Station.

Complete Listing of Ornaments

Reidsville’s “Christmas Village Landmark Series” began in 2000. Produced in the same order as the ornaments, these beautiful keepsakes will look wonderful in your home. The 2004 landmark was the Downtown Monument. The 2005 and final piece, which is the American Tobacco Company, is available at the Downtown Corporation Office and at several of the downtown stores. Cost: $45 each.

Complete Listing of Village Pieces

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