By Chris Finnie
With the shelter in place order in place, a lot of local residents have been expressing how grateful they are for local businesses in posts saying on social media. While others complain about long lines and empty shelves elsewhere, businesses in downtown Boulder Creek have kept shelves stocked, worked to keep customers safe, and found ways to deliver services.
But it shouldn’t take a pandemic to make us appreciate what we have. Sure, we know how beautiful it is in the San Lorenzo Valley. We may occasionally appreciate the historic buildings. But many of us take for granted the other benefits of a small town where we know our neighbors, and local merchants know us all.
The Main Street America™ program does appreciate what we have here. As the organization notes, suburbs, shopping malls, and big box retailers dominate the American landscape. But the Main Street movement believes that downtowns are the heart of communities, and that a community is only as strong as its core.
So this subsidiary of the National Trust for Historic Preservation set out to help communities revitalize their historic downtowns—building a thriving local economy, restoring historic character, and including inviting public spaces that make residents and visitors feel that they belong.
Main Street comes to Boulder Creek
In Boulder Creek, the program found everything they look for: A rich history, an active business association that could serve as the board of directors, and active local groups that could provide grassroots support.
While the group has only started recently, they have big plans and volunteers working on projects in four committees: design, promotion, economic restructuring, and organization. Some of the projects build on work the Boulder Creek Business Association (BCBA) has already started. Others are brand new and suggested by volunteers. As project directors Karen Edwards, AVP and Operations Officer at Liberty Bank; and Tamara O’Kelly, owner of the Hartman House Inn and Hartman Confections, note, “It’s all grassroots and volunteer driven. There are so many different plans on our project list. And everybody knows people who have talents and expertise they can add. So there’s a place for everybody in every one of the projects we’re working on.”
Karen pointed out that the BCBA has worked hard to raise money for town beautification. But Main Street America has matching funds available that will make it possible to do larger projects more quickly.
Tamara talked about their first project, “We started the park-bench project with the BCBA and they funded the first one. Scarborough is hosting the demonstration bench in front of Boulder Creek Hardware so everybody can see it. They’re a turn-of-the-century style casting. The benches are places to sit to visit, relax, share a snack, meet up with friends. It will help build community.” Karen adds, “We hope to find businesses to host more and residents or businesses to fund them.”
Build a Stronger Downtown
To learn more about Main Street America, go to www.mainstreet.org. To get involved in the Boulder Creek Main Street program, email BoulderCreekMainStreet@gmail.com
