Main Street Pittsboro2022-05-11T13:07:03-04:00

A North Carolina Main Street Program

In May 2011 Pittsboro applied to the North Carolina Department of Commerce and was accepted into the North Carolina Main Street program — a program designed to help historic downtowns rebound from the loss of businesses and capitalize on their unique assets to retain existing businesses and attract new ones.

Public charrettes facilitated by consultants from the state were convened and attended by property owners, business owners, and interested citizens. The Main Street Pittsboro group defined the physical boundaries of our district (below), developed a set of goals, and a downtown vision plan.

Main Street Pittsboro Program Goals

Downtown Vision Plan – On June 16, 2014, the Pittsboro Town Board of Commissioners unanimously approved the Downtown Vision Plan as a guiding document for improvements, redevelopment, enhancements, and investment in downtown Pittsboro and the Main Street district.

The top goals that were agreed on in the three areas of the comprehensive Main Street program approach are:

Design Committee & Goals 

  • Improve sidewalks, streets, streetscape, alleys, signs, accessibility
  • Improve parking
  • Add more public gathering spaces/parks
  • Improve building facades and preserve historic character

Promotions & Marketing Committee & Goals

  • Promote local history, arts, foods, and sustainability
  • Develop a branding campaign
  • Develop and present focused events featuring local artists, musicians, and public art
  • Develop cooperative marketing with local businesses to increase foot traffic downtown

Economic Vitality Committee & Goals

  • Recruit and retain more businesses, ensure business variety
  • Develop a downtown “destination”
  • Develop business incentives
  • Identify buildings needing renovation

 

Main Street Pittsboro Board

Commissioner Mike Dasher Board Secretary
Liaison with Chatham County
Chair of the Chatham County Board of Commissioners, Managing Partner at Orange Communities, LLC

Sera Cuni
Co-owner of Root Cellar Cafe & Catering

Betsey Elbogen
Owner of Perch Coworking, Member of the Pittsboro Business Association

Commissioner Michael Fiocco  Chair, Design Committee
Principal & Land Development Manager at Civil Consultants, Inc.; Co-owner of Flyleaf Books

Chris Kennedy
Town Manager, Town of Pittsboro

Lesley Landis  Chair, Promotions Committee
Principal & Graphic Designer at Lesley Landis Designs; Board Member of the Chatham Arts Council; Member of the Pittsboro Business Association; Founder of Wake Up Wednesday

Greg Lewis
Co-owner of  The Sycamore at Chatham Mills; Co-owner of 39 West Catering; Chair, Chatham Economic Development Corporation; Member of the Pittsboro Business Association

Maria Parker-Lewis  Board President
Pittsboro Business Association Member and Events Chair; Co-owner of  The Sycamore at Chatham Mills; Co-owner of 39 West Catering  

Kyle Shipp
Liaison with the Town of Pittsboro

Michael Whitman (interim)   Board Treasurer

 

Documents

Contact Information

mainstreetpittsboro@gmail.com

Main Street Pittsboro
P.O. Box 1517
Pittsboro, NC 27312


As a NC Small Town Main Street Designated Community™, Main Street Pittsboro is part of a national network of more than 1,200 neighborhoods and communities who share both a commitment to creating high-quality places and to building stronger communities through preservation-based economic development.