(MURFREESBORO) The pandemic continues to impact how we do things, and the presenters in Main Street Murfreesboro's annual meeting was in the high tech classroom at the new Municipal Airport while the community partners participated virtually with Zoom.

Main Street’s 2021 board members were elected at Tuesday's (2/23/2021) meeting. The new Chair is Gateway Title Services Attorney Kasey "Tab" Talbott, the Vice Chair is Kirk Garrett, who is the Murfreesboro city president of Volunteer State Bank. In addition, three new board members were elected: Jonathan Harmon, Tianna Christiansen, and Ken Halliburton.

2020 Board Chair Randy Caldwell opened the meeting thanking the community and board for the many ways they supported downtown small businesses and the Main Street nonprofit by “thinking outside the box” during the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Downtown Awards

Downtown Design Award recipients were:

Brass Horn Coffee Roasters located on 410 W. Lytle Street, building owner Jeremy Florida.  “Our building was built for my grandfather and his brother’s auto parts business, which my dad still owns and operates next door.”  Jeremy remodeled the building and started his new coffee roasting business to “impact people in a positive way through coffee and culture.”

WoodsViking Barbershop located on 15 S Public Square and owned by Aaron Dabney and Shawn Templeton.  Starting their new barbershop in 2016, the two barbers renovated their building three times, growing from six barbers to fifteen.  This unique barbershop was designed with the help of their clients and serves a multi-ethnic clientele, creating a diverse cultural experience downtown. 

Downtown Business Award Recipients are:

Simply Pure Sweets located at 128 N Church Street and owned by Matthew Joseph and Chantell Kennedy-Shehan.  Opening in 2016, this downtown bakery has moved twice and grown to offer pastries, breads, lunch, coffees and more.  They also serve catering needs and provide bread to many locally owned restaurants. 

Beckman’s Prescription Shop located at 120 E. College Street.  Owners Keith and Shannon Beckman recently took over the family run pharmacy that opened in 1972 by Milton and Sylvia Beckman.  Keith describes their mission, “To treat every patient as if they are our own family and to provide knowledge, clinical services, and exceptional care for our community.” 

The Main Street program celebrates their 36th anniversary.  It is affiliated with the National Trust for Historical Preservation’s National Main Street Center.  Main Street capitalizes on the unique character of the courthouse square and the surrounding business district with the goal of transforming it into the cultural, social, professional, and retail center of Rutherford County…in essence, the hub of community life. 

For more information go to www.mainstreetmurfreesboro.org concerning 2021 downtown event schedule and business member information.