IN OTHER NEWS… Georgians say historic downtowns need restaurants, entertainment, and local businesses to thrive again.
Georgians Vote on the 2 Downtowns They Most Want Revived.
As chain stores, bypasses, and sprawling retail corridors continue to reshape America, many once-beloved downtowns have quietly faded into the background, even though locals still feel deeply attached to them.
Across the country, these historic Main Streets and old commercial districts often carry the bones of something special and increasingly hard to find: brick storefronts, railroad-era buildings, faded signs, old theaters, civic squares, waterfront blocks, and walkable character that newer developments struggle to recreate. Some have seen flashes of newfound investment, while others remain full of untapped potential, waiting for the right mix of restoration, small business energy, and local pride to bring them back to life.
To identify the historic Main Streets and downtown districts Georgians most want to see revived, MarketBeat, a financial media company, surveyed 3,012 respondents about the places they believe still deserve a comeback. The result is a ranking of corridors that continue to inspire nostalgia, civic pride and hope for a more vibrant future.
Georgians’ top 2 picks were:
#1. Newcastle Street, Brunswick
Newcastle Street still carries the atmosphere of an old coastal commercial corridor, with historic storefronts and oak-lined blocks stretching through downtown Brunswick. The city developed as an important port and railroad center along Georgia’s coast during the late 19th and early 20th centuries, helping shape much of the district’s character. Even now, many residents feel the downtown’s long-awaited comeback is officially taking root, with historic building renovations and new pedestrian gateway redevelopments finally clearing the path for this coastal gem to fully shine.
#2. Pine Avenue, Albany
Pine Avenue still reflects the scale and importance of a downtown corridor that once served as a major commercial center for southwest Georgia. The city became a significant transportation and trade hub because of its position along the Flint River and regional rail connections. Today, as a wave of fresh independent retail and dining storefronts start to reclaim the block, the historic core still has the architecture and street presence that make many people feel it could become a far more vibrant destination again.
Other choices from across the country included:
New Yorkers most want to see Central Avenue in Dunkirk revived.Set close to the Lake Erie shoreline, downtown Dunkirk still feels tied to its railroad, lake shipping, and industrial roots. Central Avenue remains lined with older storefronts, classic civic buildings, and reminders of the era when the city served as a major transportation and manufacturing center for western New York. The nearby waterfront adds a sense of atmosphere and potential to the district, and many locals still believe downtown could become a much livelier, more celebrated gathering place again.
Over in Pennsylvania, Altoona’s 11th Avenue emerged in top spot. Historic storefronts, railroad-era architecture, and broad downtown corridors still give Altoona the feel of a classic Pennsylvania rail city built around movement and industry. The city expanded rapidly alongside the Pennsylvania Railroad, which helped shape much of the commercial district that remains today. While a wave of new property restorations and seasonal street markets is actively introducing fresh energy to the corridor, walking along 11th Avenue reveals the scale of a downtown designed to serve a far busier and more densely active city, and many locals continue to believe the corridor has the foundations for a much stronger comeback.
New Mexicans ovewhelmingly voted to restore Historic Route 66 District in Gallup to its former glory days. Neon signs, old motels, trading posts, and weathered storefronts give downtown Gallup one of the most recognizable Route 66 atmospheres in the Southwest. The city developed as an important railroad and trading hub in western New Mexico, particularly because of its connection to the Atchison, Topeka, and Santa Fe Railway. While new state centennial grants are actively restoring the corridor’s iconic vintage neon, even now, the historic corridor feels filled with the kind of roadside Americana and cultural character that many people believe deserves renewed life and preservation.
Californians placed Historic Downtown and Weber Avenue in Stockton among the downtowns they most want to see revived. Historic downtown Stockton carries the feel of an old inland port city, with brick warehouses, civic buildings, and faded commercial blocks clustered near the waterfront. The city’s Bob Hope Theatre, originally opened in 1930 as the Fox California Theatre, remains one of the district’s most recognizable landmarks. While much of the region’s growth shifted outward over the decades, locals often talk about downtown Stockton as a place with untapped cultural and commercial potential.
Elm Street in Lumberton also struck a chord with North Carolinians. Elm Street carries the atmosphere of a traditional small-city Southern downtown, where older storefronts and civic buildings remain closely tied to local identity and community life. Lumberton grew into a transportation and agricultural center along the Lumber River, with railroads supporting much of the city’s historic commercial development. A newly unveiled 2040 downtown master plan and fresh retail developments are signaling an upcoming wave of growth. Today, the downtown feels welcoming and familiar — the kind of place people can easily imagine becoming far more vibrant again without losing its character.
Floridians voted for Lafayette Street in Marianna as one of the downtown corridors most deserving of revival.Lafayette Street still reflects the historic heart of one of north Florida’s older inland communities, lined with brick commercial buildings and courthouse-era architecture. Marianna was heavily damaged during Hurricane Michael, which left a lasting impact on parts of the downtown district. Despite that, as the city actively deploys federal grants to execute its Downtown Resiliency Plan, the historic corridor is starting to show the first real glimpses of the grand comeback yet to come. The corridor still carries a strong sense of identity and the feeling of a place people genuinely want to see fully restored and energized again.
Infographic showing the main streets Americans most want to see revived
Georgians Want Food, Culture, and Local Life Back on Main Street
When asked what they would most like to see return to historic downtowns, respondents were most likely to point to the everyday anchors that make a Main Street feel alive again: places to eat, gather, browse, and spend time without needing a car or a shopping mall.
Nearly a quarter said they most wanted to see diners, cafes, and restaurants return, making this the top answer at 24%. The most desired Main Street comebacks were:
- Diners, cafes, and restaurants: 24%
- Live music/entertainment venues: 19%
- Farmers’ markets/street fairs: 19%
- Family-friendly public spaces: 17%
- Independent shops: 9%
- Bookstores, galleries, or cultural spaces: 7%
- Boutique hotels / restored historic inns: 6%
The results suggest that people are not simply nostalgic for old buildings; they want historic downtowns to become useful, social, and active again.
Many See Main Streets as Loved, But in Need of a Serious Comeback
The survey also found that respondents tend to see their Main Streets as places with promise, even if many have clearly lost momentum.
Georgians described many Main Streets in their state as:
- In need of a serious comeback: 22%
- Too many empty storefronts: 19%
- Full of potential: 15%
- Still loved by locals, but overlooked by visitors: 15%
- Beautiful but neglected: 12%
- Charming but underused: 10%
- Overshadowed by chain retail elsewhere: 8%
Rising Costs, Big-Box Retail, and Lack of Investment Blamed for Decline
When asked what caused downtowns in their state to decline, respondents pointed to a mix of economic pressure and changing shopping habits.
The top answer was rising rents and business costs, selected by 20% of respondents. Big-box stores and shopping centers followed at 17%, while lack of investment was chosen by 15%.
Other perceived causes included:
- Online shopping: 12%
- Highway bypasses/traffic moving elsewhere: 9%
- Not enough parking: 9%
- Poor planning or zoning: 7%
- Safety concerns: 7%
- Population decline: 6%
The findings suggest that locals do not see downtown decline as having one single cause. Instead, they appear to view it as the result of several long-running pressures: retail moving outward, costs rising, investment slowing, and daily life becoming less centered around traditional town centers.
More Than Half Feel Emotionally Attached to Historic Downtowns
Despite the challenges facing many Main Streets, emotional attachment remains strong. More than half of respondents said they feel either very or somewhat attached to historic Main Streets and old downtown districts near them.
Most Georgians Believe Small-Town Main Streets Are Worth Saving
Support for preservation was especially strong when respondents were asked directly whether their small-town Main Streets are worth saving. A clear majority, 83%, said yes.
What Gives a Main Street Comeback Potential?
When asked what gives an old Main Street the strongest comeback potential, locals again focused on practical factors that can support everyday life and local business.
- Local restaurants and coffee shops: 21%
- Affordable storefronts for new businesses: 20%
- Historic buildings: 15%
- Walkability: 14%
- Existing loyal local support: 11%
- Tourism appeal: 9%
- A scenic setting: 7%
- Arts/culture scene: 4%
The results suggest that charm alone is not enough. People seem to believe a successful revival needs both character and economic accessibility, attractive buildings, yes, but also affordable space for businesses that can actually bring people back downtown.
The Biggest Loss Is Local Business and Local Identity
For many respondents, the fading of a Main Street is more than empty buildings. Nearly a quarter said the biggest loss is the disappearance of local businesses, while 16% said the town loses its identity.
The biggest perceived losses were:
- Local businesses disappear: 24%
- The town loses its identity: 16%
- Historic buildings fall into disrepair: 14%
- People become more disconnected: 14%
- Tourists stop visiting: 12%
- Everything starts to look the same: 11%
- Young people leave: 9%
This helps explain why Main Street revival remains so emotionally resonant. While downtown decline is often discussed in terms of planning, investment and retail trends, many people also see it as a community losing part of what made it distinct.
Strong Support for Public Funding and Grants
The survey also found broad support for using public funding or grants to revive historic downtowns. 79% of respondents said they would support public funding or grants for historic downtown revival.
People Want Revival Without Losing Character
While respondents strongly supported Main Street revival, they were also clear about what they would not want these places to become. The most common concern was that a revived Main Street could become too expensive or gentrified, chosen by 32% of respondents. Others worried about downtowns becoming nightlife-only districts, being filled with national chains, or losing their older architectural character.
Respondents said a revived Main Street should avoid becoming:
- Too expensive / gentrified: 32%
- A nightlife-only district: 18%
- Filled with national chains: 15%
- Overdeveloped with modern buildings: 15%
- A fake “theme park” version of itself: 12%
- Too touristy: 8%
“Historic Main Streets are more than sentimental landmarks; they are a reflection of how people feel about the future of their communities,” said Matt Paulson, founder of MarketBeat. “When residents believe in a downtown’s future, it reflects optimism about small businesses, tourism, property investment and civic life. This survey shows Americans do not want these places frozen in time. They want practical revival that brings activity back while preserving the local character that made these districts matter in the first place.”
Methodology
This study is based on a survey of 3,012 respondents conducted in May 2026. They were asked which historic Main Streets and downtown districts they would most like to see revived, restored, or brought back to life. Participants selected from a structured list of recognizable downtown corridors, historic commercial streets, and older town centers with strong local identity and revival potential. The survey was carried out online using a geographically representative panel, balanced by age, gender, household income, and region. Results were weighted where necessary to reflect U.S. population benchmarks. Data quality checks included bot detection, geo-verification, speeding checks, and manual review of responses.
