Decades ago, Laurel's Main Street was considered the retail hub for city residents. Its status as economic fulcrum has been challenged in recent years due to a number of factors, most notably the influx of shopping centers along nearby Route 1, the proliferation of big box retailers and the advent of online shopping.
Lying in the shadow of the new Towne Centre at Laurel – a $130 million open-air retail plaza built on the site of the former Laurel Mall – would seem that Main Street's challenge is only looming larger.
But for some, the street's eclectic mix of shops, restaurants and commercial tenants, both old and new, still has a lot to offer.
This is something that Alicia Fields, of the city's newly formed economic development office, knows all too well.
With a professional background as a consultant for small, minority-owned businesses, Fields said she was hired in April to serve as a liaison between the city government and local businesses. One of her biggest responsibilities, she said, is to ensure viable businesses are investing in the city, especially on Main Street.
"Main Street is a priority," said Fields, a Laurel resident who describes herself as a "cheerleader" for local businesses.
In the past year, Main Street has seen a number of new businesses come into the fold: a candy shop, two boutiques, a books and gift store, a vape shop, a custom T-shirt business and at least one restaurant.
The business owners, many of them local to the Laurel-area, say they've come to Main Street because of the small-town, community feel.
"I love Main Street, it offered exactly what I was looking for," said Vickie Bell, owner of Bellavive Jewelry in the 300 block of Main.
Bell, who opened her business in December 2013, sells handmade jewelry, including one-of-a-kind necklaces. She said she likes her location because the picture windows that open to the street invite walk-in customers and browsing, a key for her business.
"I am trying to work with the customer," said Bell, a Laurel resident. "Offer things that makes it easy to buy items."
Belinda Young owns Chosen Books & Gifts, a boutique and Christian-themed store located in the 500 block of the street.
Young, also a Laurel resident, said she had been thinking about opening a business for years, but didn't go through with it until she met Bell and Fields at Laurel's Main Street Festival.
"It blew me away because I knew nothing about Main Street," she said.
Out of her small boutique she sells Christian-themed books and gifts, which includes clothing and jewelry.
"It's not a lot of everything; it's a little of a lot of different things," Young said.
Brian White, owner of White's Barber Company, said he likes "the anywhere America feeling" that Main Street offers. "The historic feel. You hear Main Street you think America, and that's the draw for me," he said.
White opened his business in 2011. He said he aims to offer an increased level of professionalism not seen at other barber shops. "
"We take pride in that," he said.
Audrey Sturdivant, owner of Grace Boutique, said Main Street "is like home."
"We try to support other businesses, and it's a community feeling," she said.
Sturdivant opened her business, a boutique that sells women's clothing, jewelry and accessories, last year inside Royal Bridal and Tuxedo. She recently moved next door into a bigger space.
She said the city has been supportive of her expansion, and she is in the process of applying to a city grant program to increase signage.
The grant program, which provides a dollar-for-dollar match of up to $2,500 for signage along Main Street, is one of several programs the city has put in place to aid business owners in the district.
Included among them is a relocation grant, which is available to existing businesses or start-ups that move into vacancies on Main Street. Eligible businesses can receive reimbursement from the city of up to $10,000 for expenses.
The City Council, at the request of the mayor, can also issue a tax credit of up to 100 percent for businesses that "are consistent with the goals of the city."
Other grant programs offer funds to improve the facades of buildings and to renovate dilapidated space.
"It has to be an entire community effort," Fields said of making Main Street work. "It requires the whole community to make it successful."