2016 saw a bit of a boom in Historic Downtown Elizabethton.
It’s nothing out of the ordinary for the portion of the city. With different businesses continuing operation, this year saw a handful of new businesses enter the area and the momentum shows the sky’s the limit, according to Downtown Business Association President Cathy Shoun.
“2016 was a different year … especially with the all the political stuff,” Shoun said with a laugh. Everybody I’ve talked to is real excited for the new year. And each of the businesses are excited to see what’s ahead.”
The momentum began during the holiday season with the businesses hosting their annual Downtown Christmas Open House. Each of the businesses had the opportunity to showcase what they had to offer for residents and visitors alike.
“The annual open house was a great success,” Shoun said. “Each year the excitement really builds during this event. Each of our businesses added it was a great time and we noticed customers coming in to buy local, which is always great.”
While some businesses closed up shop, the area received new businesses. One of the key highlights from 2016 included the reopening of the Bonnie Kate building, which currently houses Sugar Love Bakery & Cafe.
“We had several new businesses come in this year,” Shoun said. “I thought the addition of Sugar Love was great for the community. Just to see the support from everybody with the Bonnie Kate reopening has been incredible and there’s other plans in the future for the building.”
Shoun alluded to other businesses coming in, including the likes of Blue River Studio, an artisan studio used as a way to promote the arts scene in Carter County and the Crow’s Nest. The Coffee Company is also looking an expansion of sorts beside Blue River, with a fully-operated facility, Doe River Roasters, that will serve as wholesale roasting business. Doe River Roasters is expected to be open at the start of the new year.
John Bunn with the Coffee Company spoke about the growth of downtown during the business recently celebration to showcase the work that has been put in at the business.
“We’ve watched it grow for over 20 years now,” he said. “I guess the most comments we see are from people that actually don’t live here. A lot of the customers we have from The Coffee Company drive here once a week from either Sugar Mountain, Beech Mountain … Linville. They shop downtown, eat at our restaurants. Then we see the people from Bristol and Kingsport … downtown is vital now. It’s actually grown. We’re excited about what’s ahead. People will starting living here and make it even more vital for the years to come.”
And that’s just the tip of the iceberg. Along with the new businesses, perennially mainstays have seen continual support, Shoun said.
Addressing the beautification has also been key, according to the DBA president. Recent crosswalk installations has addressed the safety of individuals browsing through downtown and Shoun added that other projects are on the horizon for the new year.
While preparing for the new year, Shoun said the DBA will meet the first week of January to prepare for what’s ahead.