City Guide 2024: Mission Main Street
Revitalization and preservation of our main streets
A charming, historic, walkable Main Street is a highlight of any place you visit: cute specialty shops, boutiques, books stores, cafes, bakeries, and green space together create a destination for residents and visitors alike. For generations, Main Streets existed out of necessity – people's basic needs had to be met within walking distance. And for a while, we got away from that centrality – corporations moved in near the highway, shopping malls drew commerce away from downtowns, efforts at "urban revitalization" spelled widespread demolition of Main Street historic structures in the name of progress. In hindsight we see that this movement was backwards. What we need now, for our city and our smaller municipalities throughout the county, is a return to Main Streets – a way for people to have their needs met closer to home with less reliance on corporate box stores and more dependence on local small businesses, fewer cars (and hence, fewer parking lots), and more walkability.
On a national level, the Main Street America Program (established by the National Trust in 1980) "leads an inclusive, impact-driven movement dedicated to reenergizing and strengthening older and historic downtowns and neighborhood commercial districts nationwide." Locally, this is achieved through the work of neighborhood groups, municipal governments, and nonprofit organizations, with funding from Mission Main Street, Renaissance Block, and Anchor Building grants which are distributed by the Erie County Gaming Revenue Authority (ECGRA) in targeted Main Street communities throughout Erie County like The City of Erie, Girard, Union City, North East, Waterford, and Corry.
The goal is to offer small businesses on Main Streets facade improvement grants so their historic structures remain sound, are able to be improved at a much lower cost to property owners, and to help maintain the historic look and feel of commercial downtowns while bolstering microeconomies around Erie. Funding from ECGRA (totalling at last count $1,380,422.18) also works to improve local parks, fund public art, and maintain historic monuments. Basically, our smaller municipalities throughout Erie County that have been falling into disrepair for decades are now getting a boost, looking better, brighter, and more vibrant – are bringing Main Street back. We hope you'll visit some of them while you're here.
City of Erie
Erie's Main Street is State Street – it is the central artery of our downtown, dividing East from West, and housing a multitude of small businesses that lend Erie her character. Through ECGRA grants and the work of nonprofits like the Erie Downtown Partnership and the Erie Downtown Development Corporation – there's plenty of new (and long-standing) businesses to visit. Among them:
Ember and Forge
Locally roasted coffee, local art, an organic third space
401 State St.
Ye Olde Sweet Shoppe
Cookies, cupcakes, coffee, and gifts
402 State St.
The Erie Art Museum
World-class art museum collection with classes, family activities, and gifts
20 E. 5th St.
U Pick 6 Tap House
Tons of beers on tap, indoor/outdoor seating, wood-fired pizza
333 State St.
Bricks American Steak House
Upscale dining in a gorgeously restored historic Cashier's House
417 State St.
The Shops at 5th and State
Visit The Dollhouse at Pointe Foure (vintage clothing), Primo Tailoring (menswear), City Supply (Erie Apparel), and Glass Growers Gallery (art and gifts)
5th and State streets
ASCEND Erie
Indoor rock climbing for fitness and fun
426 State St.
The Flagship City Food Hall
Choose from a number of small, locally owned dining options in one space
22 N. Park Row
Bakery on 5th
Turkish coffee and gorgeous pastries
502 State St.
Andora's Bubble Tea Shop
Boba tea, snacks, and gifts
516 State St.
Voodoo Brewing Company
Regionally brewed beer in historic Boston Store
101 Boston Store Pl.
The Shops at 5th and State. Photo: Ryan Hoover
Girard
ECGRA has already invested over $150,000 in Girard's Main Street and they're just getting started. Mayor of Girard Peter Burton notes, "The Mission Main Street grant provides a funding stream for smaller communities, part of the county that is often overlooked. We are grateful to ECGRA for their attentiveness and willingness to provide much-needed funds to small towns. These grants will improve the appeal of our Main Street while attracting new visitors." Here are a few places worth visiting on your next trip to Girard.
Full Circle Winery
Small batch wines in historic Battles Bank building
12 Main St. E.
Main Street Art
Ceramics, watercolors, gifts, and classes
138 Main St. W.
Girard Dinor
Classic American dinor serving everyone's favorites
222 Main St. W.
Downtown Girard. Photo: Erin Phillips
North East
North East's Main Street is a particularly charming one, centered around a square with a bustling public park that holds community events throughout the year. Their Main Street branches off in a number of directions and makes for a fun, walkable experience.
Tia Book Cellar
Charming new book store space
15 W. Main St.
The Skunk and Goat Tavern
Unique take on an American tavern dining experience
17 W. Main St.
The Bean Coffee House
Local cafe outlet for regional roaster Small City Roasting Co.
12 S. Lake St.
Re.Found.Ry Antiques
One of those places where you never know what treasures you'll find
14 S. Lake St.
Driftwood Wine Cellars
Family-owned, Pennsylvania wines
20 E. Main St.
Waterford
This small borough in southern Erie County is historic and proud of it. With a local historic museum (55 High St.), as well as a number of historic structures keeping the charm of its downtown intact – Waterford is also home to one of the few remaining covered bridges in Erie County.
16441 Collective
Gallery and gift shop showcasing local artists and artisans
210 High St.
Sugar N'Spice
Nestled in the 1826 Eagle Hotel, it's got history and comfort food
32 High St.
Waterford Hotel
Gorgeous Victorian hotel with casual dining
213 High St.
Heritage Gallery and Frame Shop
Hyper-local art, gifts, and home decor
661 High St.
Corry
Erie County's second-largest city, Corry, has leaned into its history. And, with a nonprofit dedicated to bolstering its local economy in Impact Corry, its getting a new lease on life with improvements and community engagement.
Before the Barrel Distillery
Craft distillery focused on flavored moonshines
11 S. Center St.
Whistle Stop Antique Mall
Snag a great find with tons of antique furniture, art, glassware, and jewelry
50 N. Center St.
Library Bar and Grill
Casual dining in the historic former home of the Corry Public Library
203 N. Center St.
Painted Finch Gallery
Gorgeously curated art of all media, from local and regional artists
32 N. Center St.
Epiphany's Emporium
Handcrafted gifts and collectibles
34 N. Center St.
Main Street, Girard. Photo: Preservation Erie
Union City
Union City is a southern Erie County municipality that has a rich history. Founded in 1800, it boomed early on with furniture making and today is working to reinvent itself while still honoring its history. With its own Historical Museum on Main Street (11 S. Main St.), you can stop and learn its story before you explore.
The Buzz of Union City
Every Main Street needs its coffee shop – what's the buzz in UC? The Buzz!
64 N. Main St.
French Creek Mercantile
Charming antique store in a historic storefront that recently expanded
10 S. Main St.
Brown Stone Studio
Handmade pottery, art, stained glass, and more
67 S. Main St.
Edinboro
With the benefit of having a university nearby, Edinboro has a youthful, bustling Main Street corridor that keeps getting better. With plenty of watering holes and creative and interesting small businesses, it's always worth the short drive south.
Flip Cafe
Wins Best Brunch year after year – see what the fuss is about.
103 Meadville St.
John's Wildwood Pizzeria
Wins Best Pizza again and again. Hand-stretched fresh dough that's totally worth the hype.
105 Erie St.
Edinboro Market
A farmers market times 100, Edinboro Market is micro-local shopping – farm fresh, local produce and products, as well as specialty artisans.
109 Erie St.
Earthshine Co.
Uniquely curated gifts and natural beauty products
118 Meadville St.
814 Outdoor Sports
Local full-service ski and bike shop
500 W. Plum St.
