Program Helps Revitalize Downtown Laramie - KGWN –Cheyenne, WY– Scottsbluff, NE News,Weather, Sports

Program Helps Revitalize Downtown Laramie

The past few years have been tough on the economy.

It's caused local business all across the country to struggle and even close their doors.

Laramie Main Street is a non-profit program that's putting money back into the downtown by bringing new businesses and helping others grow and expand.

They have a very personal hands on approach that's turning it into a place where businesses want to be and new consumers want to shop.

Many old downtown's throughout the country are filled with vacant, run down buildings and very little commerce.

The Laramie Main Street program has taken Laramie in the opposite direction.

"We're here to listen, to advocate, be a cheerleader for our businesses downtown and make them feel like they're not going at it alone," Trey Sherwood said.

There are 300 businesses in the downtown district, ten new in the last year and four that have opened in the last month.

Trey Sherwood is the Executive Director of the program and is taking calls all the time to fill the few vacant spots.

"I get two calls a week with people saying I'm interested in opening a new business, downtown is attractive to me because the rent is going to be lower but you still get this great character in the building."

One of those new businesses is Poppy's Flower Shop and Boutique.

Rachel Crank is the owner and loved the idea of being downtown.

"I liked the historical aspect of it. I liked putting a little flower shop in an old part of town. I liked the walking distance for people around town they can just walk shop to shop," Crank said.

The Laramie Main Street program has been very important in helping get the word out about Poppy's.

"It's a free service, it's free word of mouth and I think word of mouth is the best form of marketing," said Crank.

Not only by word of mouth but Trey and the Main Street program makes sure businesses know how to market themselves through technology.

"So far Trey's been great at networking and introducing me to new technologies to help make me more marketable in our community. She's also just stopped in and offered to be a featured business in their meetings that they have."

The revitalization by the Laramie Main Street program has not gone unnoticed by those in Colorado.

"We've also gotten some really good feedback on folks coming up from Fort Collins saying it's just too busy down there. Downtown Fort Collins is great but we want to come find a place to park easily, be able to talk one on one with business owners and not feel like we're rushed," Sherwood said.

You can check out the latest news and events on their web site at www.laramiemainstreet.org or you can like their facebook page here https://www.facebook.com/pages/Downtown-Laramie-Wyoming/115924618421035?ref=ts