Recipe for Revival

Bob Pest
Photos by Judy Pest

The Ozarks region is dotted with communities whose downtown districts have suffered setbacks and decline in recent decades.  The pre-eminence of “big box” retailers and supercenters, the rise of e-commerce, and the enormous demographic shift to weekend and evening shopping have forced downtowns to employ creative strategies to lure shoppers back.

Main Street Batesville, faced with just such a challenge, has embraced a familiar strategy to revive downtown.  The 2nd Friday Downtown Wander and Wonder Walk, launched on August 8, is a monthly downtown festival with extended shopping hours, free live music, free films, special events, fun activities, refreshments, and lots of local color. 

The first installment of 2nd Friday was built around two recent additions to downtown, the Batesville Historic Courthouse Mural and the live music stage in the Pocket Park.  The mural, located next to the current courthouse, provides a unique “history on parade” experience with skillful depictions of the two previous courthouses.  Although the mural was dedicated to kick-off the 2nd Friday initiative, artist Nancy Skinner plans to continue painting, adding people, transportation, and other enhancements to the historic street scenes. 

The Pocket Park, a reclaimed vacant lot in the heart of downtown, was recently fitted with a concert stage.  The David Grimes All Star Band christened the stage with an evening of country and Southern rock.  The stage gives the downtown a much-needed centerpiece for events and area bands of all persuasions are already lining up for the opportunity to perform.   The University of Arkansas Community College at Batesville Renaissance Singers are scheduled for the October Walk.

In most cases local arts groups take the lead in downtown revitalization, and Batesville is no exception.  The arts council hosted an open house in their Main Street gallery, the ballet opened their studio for dancing, and the community theater brought out their theatrical make-up for face painting.  A few blocks away from Main Street, but still in on the fun, MorningSide Coffeehouse screened animated films from Canada provided by Ozark Foothills FilmFest.

Antique collectors and enthusiasts visiting Batesville for the first time were pleasantly surprised to find a burgeoning antique scene, anchored by the venerable Back in Time and now boasting six unique shops.  Shoppers at the initial Walk also found some outstanding sale prices at a number of shops, helpful printed programs, and street vendors with everything from funnel cakes to Civil War histories. 

Events like 2nd Friday serve several important purposes.  Most importantly, they bring new customers to local merchants.  They are especially helpful for new businesses yet to achieve name recognition.  They also showcase available storefronts and other buildings and give interested entrepreneurs a chance to envision their own business concept in a vital downtown environment.  Monthly downtown evenings also showcase a community’s talent, contribute to community unity, and, not insignificantly, get people out walking.  Most take a few months to get established, but eventually the regular date takes hold.  The initial 2nd Friday attracted about 500 shoppers and strollers, about what organizers had expected.

For most of us, $3 to $4 per gallon gasoline means less travel and more shopping and recreation close to home.  The current gas crisis actually presents an opportunity for businesses in smaller towns to re-introduce themselves to their communities.  2nd Friday and initiatives like it create both a festive climate and a platform upon which local merchants can showcase their strengths.  Their success is usually the result of good planning, active and creative participation by merchants, and the community’s commitment to spend locally.  Batesville’s 2nd Friday has the potential to re-establish its downtown as a destination every day of the month.

The next 2nd Friday Downtown Wander and Wonder Walk is set for Friday, September 12.  Participating stores remain open until 8:00 p.m.  and activities are scheduled through 10 p.m.  Free films, free live music, antiques, arts, crafts, shopping, and food will be joined by some new events.  Several businesses on the fringe of downtown will be joining the line-up.  Information, including a complete schedule and list of participating merchants, is available at Main Street Batesville, downtownbatesville@sbcglobal.net or 870-793-4632.