Terresia Scoble, NC Main Street Manager

230 W. Morehead Street, Reidsville, NC 27320

336-347-2307

The downtown area of Reidsville was like many of its counterparts across the state in the 1970s, seeing a decline in business opportunities due to the emergence of malls and shopping centers. The Reidsville Downtown Corporation, a nonprofit organization financed by monies from the Downtown District Tax, was created in 1976 to lead the charge to revitalize the downtown. Joint projects of the Downtown Corporation and the City of Reidsville have been participation in the Main Street Program, the Streetscape Program, Facade Grant and the Building Renovation Grant programs. Each of these programs was initiated to aid in the revitalization of the downtown and improve the area aesthetically.

“Southwest Market Street ”

Finding a “niche” in the business community was going to be the key to success if Reidsville’s downtown area was to survive. In response, the downtown area’s “Antique Alley District” was born. Today Reidsville’s downtown, including Southwest Market, Settle and South Scales streets, features antique shops and antique malls. Unfortunately, the decline in the antiques business has led officials to look for new ways to promote downtown Reidsville. The Reidsville Downtown Corporation and the City of Reidsville have been working to create a cultural arts atmosphere in the heart of the city. The various shops focusing on arts and crafts is helping to broaden the downtown's scope beyond antiques.

The Reidsville Downtown Corporation, located on the second floor of Reidsville City Hall, 230 W. Morehead Street, continues to oversee the downtown business area. Its board of directors makes recommendations to the City Council on issues involving the downtown. The Corporation provides a variety of special events and promotions throughout the year. The most well known is the Reidsville Downtown Fall Festival, which is an annual autumn celebration held the second Saturday in October from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. The festival has grown from one block of Market Street to encompassing eight City blocks in the downtown area. The City’s downtown streets are roped off to allow thousands of festival visitors the opportunity to not only visit the local shops but also to enjoy classic cars and street rods, arts, crafts, food, music and activities geared to the children.

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Downtown Farmers Market

From April until November, visitors can enjoy fresh produce at the Downtown Farmers Market located in Market Square on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays. Beginning at 6:00 a.m., the market features farm-fresh, homegrown fruits and vegetables, homemade canned and baked items. The market usually wraps up around mid-day. In operation for some 20 years, the Farmers Market attracts many area farmers, many of whom are on hand to deliver old Farmers Market stories of interest along with your purchase. In August of 2009, the Farmers Market moved to its new permanent location at Market Square located at the corner of Settle and Scales streets.

The 2010 Opening of the Farmers Market is set for Saturday, April 17. More details to follow.

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“Spring Shop, Stroll & Cruise-In ”

Downtown merchants hold their annual spring open house the second weekend in April. Shops feature special sales and new items throughout the weekend. There are food vendors, musical entertainment, the Farmer's Market and more. The EZ Street Cruisers Car Club kicks off the first "Cruise-In" from 6-9 p.m. from April to September. All are televised by WGSR 47.1 TV and are the only live telecast of any cruise-in in the USA. Spectators and car owners from surrounding states gather to show off, visit and share their stories! The cars must be at least 25 years old and the number of cars will exceed 200-300 at each cruise-in.

Other Special Events

The Downtown Corporation invites patrons to visit downtown Reidsville whenever possible, especially when special events are scheduled. Throughout the year, those events include:

• "Tour of Reidsville Criterium," a USA Cycling Sanctioned Bike Race on Saturday, July 31, 2010, 12 noon until 8 p.m.

For more information, visit www.reidsvillebicycles.com.

• Downtown Christmas Open House & Customer Appreciation – Saturday and Sunday before Thanksgiving

• Downtown Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony – Sunday before Thanksgiving, in conjunction with the Christmas Open House

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Special Promotions

Whether you live in Reidsville or just visiting, you might want to keep a little bit of Reidsville with you. The Downtown Corporation annually sold “Christmas in Reidsville” ornaments. While the series ended in 2005, some ornaments are still available for $5 each or five ornaments for $20. The last addition to this limited edition collection was the ornament featuring Downtown's Old Texaco Service Station.

Complete Listing of Ornaments

Reidsville’s “Christmas Village Landmark Series” began in 2000. Produced in the same order as the ornaments, these beautiful keepsakes will look wonderful in your home. The 2004 landmark was the Downtown Monument. The 2005 and final piece, which is the American Tobacco Company, is available at the Downtown Corporation Office and at several of the downtown stores. Cost: $45 each.

Complete Listing of Village Pieces

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