Main Street Wooster promotes business
Main Street Wooster is a nonprofit organization that was established in June of 1985 to promote economic development in the downtown Wooster area.
Sandra Hull, Executive Director of the Main Street Wooster Board, described the organization as something that gets people interested in downtown and improves the overall aesthetics of the downtown atmosphere.
“[Since the early years] $150 million has been invested into the downtown area. The buildings were in very poor shape. At the time Main Street Wooster began, the malls and shopping centers had begun to die out. So, we saw a need for an innovative way to liven up our own businesses,” Hull said.
Main Street Wooster is one of 20 downtown committees statewide and is one of 1,400 nationwide. Hull explained that Wooster’s branch is one of the top in both the nation and state, and many executives who hope to start their own Main Street organization for their city come to Wooster to learn the ropes of a successful downtown organization.
David Weisenberg, Main Street Wooster Board member and co-owner of The Wooster Book Company said, “Main Street Wooster is the best advocate for this part of the community. Before, the downtown area didn’t have a focus or vision. But now, it does.”
Weisenberg also went on to say that Wooster has always been drawn to homegrown or local businesses and that Main Street Wooster has capitalized on this aspect of our town and has shaped it into one of the main appeals of the city.
The Main Street Board unanimously agrees that much of their success is due to the collaboration of the Board and their partners that include the City of Wooster, Wayne County Officials, the Public Library, WCSD, the Chamber of Commerce and the Wayne Economic Development Council.
The Main Street Wooster organization is entirely responsible for the revamp of local businesses and the downtown Wooster aesthetics.
