The Heart of the Community: Main Streets, Historic Downtowns & Villages

Part 2 of 3 in our “Main Streets, Villages, Historic Downtowns & Plazas” series celebrating Independent Retailer Month!

This episode of Big Blend Radio features a lively panel discussion exploring the vital role of Main Streets and historic downtowns in shaping community identity, boosting local economies, and enhancing cultural tourism. From the preservation of architecture and museums to the rise of food trails, local bookstores, and festivals, our guests highlight how small-town authenticity and community engagement drive revitalization and lasting impact.

🎧 Panel Guests: - Jeffrey Spear – Food Writer & Award-Winning Cookbook Author: https://spearwrites.com/  - Clifford Garstang – Award-Winning Author & Editor: https://cliffordgarstang.com/  - Matt Cost – Award-Winning Author: https://www.mattcost.net/  - Diane Dobry – Travel Writer: https://gettinghungary.com/  & https://discoverydaze.com/ 

🕰️ Chapters: 00:00 – Introduction 02:47 – Community & Tourism 05:32 – Authenticity in Downtowns & Villages 08:11 – Personal Experiences in Downtowns 10:51 – Historical Significance of Villages 13:31 – Balancing Modern Needs with Historical Integrity 16:05 – The Role of Bookstores in Community 18:55 – Culinary Experiences in Downtowns 21:30 – Conclusion and Future of Main Streets 26:46 – Exploring Bardstown: The Bourbon Capital 28:44 – Culinary Delights of Staunton 30:25 – Brunswick, Maine: A Seafood Paradise 32:06 – Sag Harbor: A Taste of the Hamptons 35:20 – The Great Bagel Debate 36:52 – Winter Park: Art and History 38:20 – Museums in Downtowns 43:16 – Libraries: The Heart of the Community 47:53 – Hammond: Cajun and Creole Influences 51:17 – Revitalization Success Stories 54:08 – Culinary Adventures in Historic Downtowns 56:29 – Future Destinations & Final Thoughts

🔗 Explore the Places Mentioned: - Main Street America: https://mainstreet.org/  - Brunswick, Maine: https://mainstreetmaine.org/brunswick-me/  - Hammond, Louisiana: https://www.downtownhammondla.com/visitors  - Sag Harbor, New York: https://discoverydaze.com/2021/11/15/sag-harbor-li-a-walk-through-history/  - Staunton, Virginia: https://visitstaunton.com/  - Park Avenue District, Florida: https://parkavenuedistrict.com/  - Bardstown, Kentucky: https://www.visitbardstown.com/ 

📌 This episode is also featured on Big Blend Radio's “Vacation Station” and “Big Daily Blend" podcast channels. Explore more Big Blend shows: https://www.podbean.com/podcast-network/bigblendradionetwork