BY EVA MAYS
After moving to the Morgantown area in 2017, I spent many of my lunch hours walking in the downtown area.
Though the rail-trail (which is lovely) was convenient to my place of work, I liked to stroll down High Street and up Spruce.
This allowed me to window shop and marvel at the variety of businesses offering goods and services, from bridal shops to tattoo parlors and everything in between.
When the COVID-19 pandemic struck and the world grew quiet, I, and doubtless many other residents, feared for the small businesses that give Downtown Morgantown its unique character.
Today, many of my old favorites have returned, and many new businesses are opening their doors for the first time.
Downtown is thriving, thanks to industrious business owners and the efforts of Main Street Morgantown, the 501c3 organization that works to support the economic development and revitalization of the area.
I have been continually impressed by the dedication and passion the Main Street Board shows in the pursuit of the organization’s mission.
Earlier this summer, Main Street Morgantown announced that, after the departure of long-time Executive Director Barbara Watkins, the Morgantown Area Partnership would be overseeing MSM for three months.
Amy Loomis, VP of Revitalization Services at the Partnership, was named the interim executive director.
“We’ve been taking a look at the nuts and bolts of the organization to ensure that everything is in order,” said AJ Hammond, chair of MSM’s Board, when we spoke recently. “We’ll use that information to put together a strategic plan and decide how to move forward with leadership. We want to be a support system and asset to other organizations so we can help create a vibrant and thriving community that we all want to see.”
MSM will continue to offer its events and services during the transition period. Hammond credits the MSM’s intern for supporting the organization both before and during the transition.
The current intern is Ava Vavrick.
“She’s been doing a wonderful job keeping all the social media going, as well as organizing our events,” Hammond said.
The August Arts Walk, the first after the beginning of the leadership transition, was a success with over 90 vendors and shoulder-to-shoulder foot traffic, to which I can personally attest.
The next Arts Walk is scheduled for 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday.
MSM’s Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/DowntownMorgantown
EVA MAYS is a freelance writer for The Dominion Post. She writes a regular column featuring businesses, churches and other entities in the city. To suggestion a topic, email her at Newsroom@DominionPost.com.
