After a few hours driving the scenic Natchez Trace Parkway,
we pulled into the Main Street community of Columbia, Tennessee. About 4:30 p.m. After making our way into
downtown near dusk, we discovered most of the shops were closed even before 5
p.m. What a disappointment. Columbia is self-described on their city web site as follows:
The City of Columbia (population est. 38,224) is located approximately
45 miles south of Nashville in the heart of Maury County.
At first glance, this downtown area is absolutely stunning.
Well lit streets and a renovated courthouse and courthouse square area mark
this downtown that claims the nation’s 11th President, President James K. Polk’s home, located only a couple of
blocks off of the Square, as a significant historical landmark. Not to be
deterred, we asked a passerby for some guidance. The lady told us she worked
downtown at “Ted’s.” Well, we didn’t know what Ted’s was, but we soon found
out. She energetically encouraged us to “follow me.” So, we did. I mean, who
are we to disrespect the instruction and grey hair of a Tennessee accent?
What we found was the one downtown business open past 5 p.m.
(or 4:50 p.m. as the case seemed to be). Ted’s Sporting Goods is unique – an upside down sign
out front gives that away right from the start. Apparently, the story goes that
a “drunk or otherwise confused sign maker delivered the sign that way.” While
Ted passed away a few years ago, his family continues the tradition of terrific
service, a nostalgic experience, and quality products in the form of an
outdoors and mercantile store. Owner Faye (last name?) was so friendly, telling
us the history and progress of the local Main Street program. We left her store
bearing gifts – free Ted’s caps from Faye.
This is a downtown filled with great, mediocre and just
plain terrible window displays. We took a few photos, but overall, our
recommendation to this community is – market what you have better! Being a hidden jewel full of potential is a
compliment and a curse. You don’t want to be hidden – you want to be found by
many. A web site for Main Street is a must (if there is one, we couldn’t find it on the web), an online shopping guide and map to find downtown, better wayfinding in the community to lead people to the downtown from all directions, extended shopping hours, and merchant training
on how to liven up the curb appeal store by store. In our opinion, to put it bluntly, why did your
community pay for the beautiful downtown sidewalks, lighting, etc. if no one
was going to come after hours to see it?
We were thrilled to experience Columbia, Tenn., even if
after hours for the most part. It was a special treat – an absolute beauty of a community with a wide variety of businesses and a very walkable business district. This is a jewel that is up and coming and will
leave it’s mark as a Main Street success story sooner than later.
Check out our other photos from Columbia, Tennessee and the other Main Street communities we visited on our HALO Business Advisors Kick-Off Holiday Shopping Spree 2007 road trip at http://picasaweb.google.com/halodiva.
I read with interest your recent article covering your visit to Columbia, TN. As the director of CMS, it was good to see your comments and to learn about the image we project. Your observations cover the very work our organization is setting out to explore. Having just completed a major streetscape improvement project, we believe the “stage is set” and are looking for ways to promote retail and economic development. I look forward to attending your session at the Natl Main Street Convention and hope to learn more. Thank your for taking time to visit our community and for sharing your experience.
All the best, Kristi Martin
These people who are trying to have businesses downtown have no doubt learned what time to close for the day. How can they sit there alone in their stores waiting for you to stumble in from the Trace? If they had a lot of business after 4pm, don’t you think they’d stay open?