Oxford, AL – As 2024 planning is swiftly underway Historic Main Street Oxford (HMSO) took a moment to celebrate a 2023 filled with remarkable achievements, growth, and community engagement. Guided by its Four Point Approach strategy—Organization, Promotion, Design, and Economic Vitality—HMSO stood as a beacon of community-based, volunteer-driven revitalization efforts, making Oxford a shining example of historic preservation and economic development.
HMSO welcomed several new businesses to the historic downtown area in 2023, adding to the vibrant tapestry of Oxford’s community. Notable additions include GoSocial Marketing, Le Coin Des Artistes, Really Real Real Estate, Succ It Up, and TEAM Rehabilitation, each contributing to the diversity and vitality of the city’s economic landscape.
The private and public investments in the downtown district showcased a commitment to revitalization. Private investments, totaling $157,055, documented improvements by business owners, while public investments, amounting to $8,868, highlighted the City of Oxford’s dedication to enhancing the downtown experience. The Façade Improvement Grant Program, initiated in 2019, continued to incentivize property and business owners, with private investments surpassing public ones, reflecting the community’s proactive engagement in preserving its heritage.
The invaluable contributions of volunteers, dedicating 596.5 hours in 2023, played a pivotal role in HMSO’s success. Recognizing outstanding efforts, awards such as the Main Street Hero Award to Oxford Cleaners and Excellence in Creative Promotion Idea for Sips & Succs (Succ It Up) were bestowed. An Excellence in Reinvestment award of $10 million further highlighted Oxford’s commitment to ongoing development.
HMSO continued to be a hub of community engagement through a series of well-attended events, including Market on Main, Second Friday on Main, Witches Ride & Walk on Main, and many more. Social media campaigns, such as “This Place Matters” during Historic Preservation Month, and “Why I love Main Street” testimonials, showcased the city’s rich history and the personal connections residents have with their downtown.
Business development workshops provided valuable insights to local entrepreneurs, covering topics like Downtown Resources & Incentives, Small Business Marketing Plan, and How to Use Canva 101. In April 2023, HMSO Director Hunter Gentry advocated for Historic Main Street Oxford during Main Street Alabama Day on the Hill in Montgomery.
Preserving Oxford’s rich history, HMSO sponsored bronze plaques on ten historic buildings. Additionally, the advisory board and executive director collaborated on short-term and long-term plans, aligning with goals from Goodwyn, Mills, & Cawoo’ds Master Plan for Downtown Oxford (2015).
The success of Historic Main Street Oxford in 2023 would not have been possible without the dedication of its Advisory Board of Directors, staff, and community members. Led by Director Hunter Gentry, the team worked tirelessly to make Oxford’s historic downtown a thriving center for arts, dining, entertainment, shopping, and special events.
As Historic Main Street Oxford looks forward to the future, the momentum gained in 2023 serves as a solid foundation for continued growth, community empowerment, and the preservation of Oxford’s cherished heritage. The journey continues, and the historic heart of Oxford beats stronger than ever.
