Woods said the cluster effect continues to grow the number of local businesses in the area. “It just saw the city was putting money and effort into downtown so the rest of the community, especially the downtown community, started putting effort into it,” said Stephen Koranda, Norman Convention & Visitors Bureau executive director.
#Keep it local professional
Private and public funds banded together to add about 135,500 square feet of new retail space, 107,700 square feet of new professional space and offices, 795 new parking spaces and 248 new residential units, according to The Transcript article. The plan was to enhance the street as a roadway, with new lighting, replace old infrastructure and make the areas over businesses able to be lofts, according to The Transcript article. The Downtown Norman Project committees got down and dirty renovating the street. A $3 million downtown renovation in 20 brought the area back to life, according to a Norman Transcript article. Main Street wasn’t always flourishing about 10 years ago it looked like the main drag of a ghost town. New local businesses come for the camaraderie and several Main Street events bring in revenue to the area, said John Woods, President of Norman’s Chamber of Commerce. Main Street now has new businesses joining their local business army every year, and very few businesses leaving. So support our small businesses and shops in the run up to Christmas or indeed at any time of year, and help keep our British high streets Great! Dorset Clothingĭid you know that the clothing brands Animal and Brakeburn were both originally created in Poole? Dorset’s amazing scenery and landscapes not only inspire some of the brands designs but are also a natural playground for its staff to let loose and boost their creative juices.The formerly near-vacant, downtrodden 100, 200 and 300 blocks of east Main Street, are now home to a close-knit community of local businesses and a destination spot for Norman visitors. And it’s just those shops where you find interesting or handmade clothing, accessories or homewares that you won’t find in chain stores. It’s a day when everyone is actively encouraged to shop with small, independent retailers and traders – those people who fill our Great British high streets with unique and individual shops. Small Business SaturdayĮvery year in December, Small Business Saturday takes place. Look out for it in our farm shops and markets when you're visiting. If you’d like to take home some Dorset food and drink, there are plenty of choices to tickle your taste buds, from cakes and cheese to beer and beef. Want to eat in a restaurant where the food on your plate has come from their own kitchen garden or that the wine in your glass is from the local vineyard? Well that’s not a problem as there are hundreds of eateries all over Dorset who serve local produce.Īnd as we know it’s important to you to know exactly where your fish or steak has come from, if it was farmed or caught in Dorset, we’ll definitely be telling you about it, so look on the menu for local specialities. Some are available online aswell, so you can purchase a little piece of Dorset from anywhere in the world. We’re very proud of our local producers and makers, and their unique products are sold all over Dorset. So whether it’s a winter hat knitted with wool from Corfe Castle sheep, natural soaps made with Dorset honey or handmade bags crafted from hand-printed material, you know that it’s made with local products, by local people and you can buy it in local shops too – a triple win! There are a huge number of artisans who make, create or upcycle in Dorset and sell their wares in the local shops, galleries or emporiums. Many retailers are now offering online shopping, so you can buy from home and get a slice of Dorset delivered to your door. This would support local jobs and keep money going around the local area instead of going overseas. If everyone spent £5 a week in independent shops rather than chain stores and branded shops, it would mean there would be £13.5 billion re-invested in Britain's economy. Just imagine if every high street and shopping centre looked exactly the same as each other!Īnd now more than ever, its really important to support our local shops. They give our town high streets their character and makes them different from other towns. We are extremely proud that a large amount of our shops are small, independent retailers. From butchers and bakers to chocolate makers, you'll find some great options to buy local in each of Dorset's towns and villages.