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Home to me is where everything happens that makes you who you are. Everything that’s made me who I am today is here. Which is why I love it and which is why it will always stay my home.” Nichole Sharp
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Now, downtown’s vacancy rate is at about 25 percent, with nine new businesses opening in recent years, Robinson said. London Downtown is also responsible for some of the most innovative and well-attended events in the county, including the Redbud Ride (see page 37); monthly car show Cruisin’ on Main; and Thursday Night Live, a weekly concert series on the courthouse steps that attracts about 500 people each week in the summer. London Downtown’s latest undertaking is transforming the empty Marymount parking lot into a Main Street park, which will be anchored by a fountain, plenty of green space and benches for gathering and contemplating. For her part, Joyner said opening her business downtown was exactly the boost she needed. “I moved my business from rural East Bernstadt to Main Street and we have seen increased traffic flow that I am sure is due to the location,” she said. “And through the Main Street Program, I benefit from shared advertising costs, collaboration with other local business owners and through all the promotion by London Downtown.” Judd and Kim Weaver are likewise enthusiastic about their location. “You can go to any city in Kentucky and there are very few downtowns that look as pretty as London’s,” Judd said, while Kim nodded. “Downtown is on the right track,” she added. “I’m excited to see how far it will go.”
Liza Joyner said opening her design business downtown was just the boost she needed. PHOTO BY MAGEN McCRAREY
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The Sentinel Echo