Our Mission:
To ensure the Main Street Martinsburg Historic Downtown District continues to be the heart of our community. Main Street Martinsburg is a collaboration of dedicated volunteers, business and property owners, concerned citizens, and local governments working together to promote and enhance the economic strength of historic downtown Martinsburg. We want to protect our downtown’s heritage and history while encouraging a diverse and robust economic ecosystem.
Our District:
Our mission shall be confined primarily to an area of Martinsburg bounded generally by railroad property which is immediately east of Water Street on the East, by The Boydville District located on S. Queen Street on the South, by the railroad property and tracks which lie immediately west of Tuskegee Street on the West, and by the line of Exchange Street on the North.
The Four Point Approach:
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Design
Getting Main Street into top physical shape by capitalizing on its best assets, such as historic buildings and traditional downtown layout is just part of the story.
An inviting atmosphere created through window displays, parking areas, signs, sidewalks, street lights, and landscaping conveys a visual message about what Main Street is and what it has to offer.
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Economic Vitality
Finding a new purpose for Main Street’s enterprises, by helping existing downtown businesses expand and recruiting new ones to respond to today’s market, Main Street programs help convert unused space into productive property and sharpen the competitiveness of business enterprises.
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Organization
Everyone working toward the same goal. The tough work of building consensus and cooperation among the groups that an important stake in the district can be eased by using the common-sense formula of volunteer-driven program and an organizational structure of board and committees.
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Promotion
Selling the image and promise of Main Street to all prospects by marketing the district’s unique characteristics to shoppers, investors, new businesses, and visitors.
An effective promotion strategy forges a positive image through advertising, retail promotional activity, special events, and marketing campaigns carried out by local volunteers.
Recent press:
MARTINSBURG — The smell of barbecue and fresh-baked goods drifted through downtown Martinsburg on Saturday afternoon as Main Street Martinsburg’s annual Fall Food Fest returned, filling Queen Street with the sights, sounds and tastes of the season.
From 11 a.m. to evening, thousands turned out to enjoy the day-long celebration, which featured dozens of food trucks, local restaurants, and artisan vendors serving up everything from wood-fired pizza and tacos to caramel apples and kettle corn.
— The Journal
MARTINSBURG — To many, Main Street Martinsburg is best known for festivals, ribbon cuttings and summer concerts. But the nonprofit’s work runs deeper, reaching into housing, small business development and working to reshape the perception of downtown itself.
Founded in the late 1980s as part of the national Main Street America network, the Martinsburg chapter has followed the group’s “four-point approach” of economic vitality, design, promotion and organization. The strategy is meant to create not just a place to visit, but a community to live in.
“You can’t revitalize a community if people are apathetic,” said Robbie Blair, the nonprofit’s executive director. “Our job is to engage locals, support small businesses, advocate for our commercial corridors and make Martinsburg a better place to live.”
— The Journal
MARTINSBURG, W.Va. – The fourth annual Main Street Martinsburg St. Patrick’s Day Celebration kicked off with a bang on Saturday, as revelers gathered to celebrate the day that marks the observed death date of St. Patrick. Decked out in green, visitors lined Queen Street in the heart of the City, for what has become one of West Virginia’s largest St. Patrick’s Day celebrations.
Since 2022, the event has grown to welcome nearly 15,000 visitors each year, something which Main Street Martinsburg Executive Director Robby Blair never expected.
— Real WV
