Tourism Tuesday: Understanding Winchester's Main Street Program

The Valley Today

In this episode, host Janet Michael chats with Brady Cloven, the director of the newly formed Winchester Main Street Organization, during a segment of Tourism Tuesday. Brady discusses his unexpected but welcome introduction to the role, the transition of the Winchester Main Street program from city management to becoming a non-profit organization, and the important distinctions and benefits that come with this change.

Brady emphasizes the need for community involvement and input, highlighting that the program is not just about the decisions of a select few but aims to benefit all who live, work, and play in Winchester's Old Town. The conversation touches on recent community meetings, where topics like urban design, public art, and local business ecosystems were discussed to shape the future of Old Town.

Janet and Brady delve into the exciting updates and future plans for Winchester Main Street. This includes a forthcoming rebranding effort with a new logo, website, and name, expected by the end of the year. Brady also outlines the various committee structures set up to address different aspects of the organization's mission, from promotions and events to economic vitality and fundraising.

The discussion also covers the array of popular events hosted in Old Town Winchester, such as KidzFest, Celtic Fest, Chocolate Escape, and First Fridays. Brady and Janet explore how these events can be improved and positioned to maximize foot traffic and business engagement. They also acknowledge the city's continued support during this transition and future collaborations.

As the episode wraps up, Brady shares details about the upcoming Fiddles and Fifths event and expresses optimism for maintaining Winchester as a vibrant community. They discuss how the Main Street program can leverage resources and share best practices from other successful Main Street communities in Virginia.

Listeners are encouraged to stay involved, visit Old Town Winchester’s social media, and attend community meetings to contribute their ideas. The next community meeting is scheduled for September 20th at Winchester Brew Works.

Reach out to Brady via email and/or follow the organization on Facebook.