Winchester Downtown Program Corporation


The Winchester Downtown Program Corporation is a non-profit corporation whose sole purpose is the recruitment and retention of an optimal mix of small businesses in the Winchester downtown district, so as to support the city of Winchester, the surrounding municipalities, and Franklin County as a whole.

In 2014, Winchester was certified as a Tennessee Main Street Community. Acceptance into this program requires communities to illustrate a strong commitment to a Main Street Program from city/county government, an adequate organizational budget, a commitment to hire staff, a strong historic preservation ethic, a collection of historic buildings and a walkable, historic commercial district.

Through participation in this program, the Winchester Downtown Program is committed to advancing the downtown district through:

Organization

The organization of downtown Winchester as a Main Street community is intended to establish consensus and cooperation by building partnerships among the various groups – businesses, volunteers, and other community groups – that have a stake in our commercial district. The goal is to get everyone working toward the same goal. With this level of collaboration, downtown Winchester provides effective, ongoing management and advocacy for our business district.

Through volunteer recruitment and collaboration with partners representing a broad cross-section of our community, Winchester Downtown Program Corporation incorporates a wide range of perspectives into our efforts. A governing board of directors and standing committees make up the fundamental organizational structure of this volunteer-driven revitalization program. Volunteers are coordinated and supported by a paid program director. This structure not only divides the workload and clearly delineates responsibilities, but also builds consensus and cooperation among the various stakeholders.

The Winchester Downtown Program Corporation was established in 2008 in response to the selection of Winchester as one of six downtown areas across Tennessee to receive a Courthouse Revitalization Pilot Project Act grant.

Promotion

Promotion takes many forms, but the goal is to create a positive image that will renew community pride and tell our Main Street story to the surrounding region. We utilize promotion opportunities to communicate the unique characteristics, cultural traditions, architecture, history, and activities of downtown Winchester to shoppers, investors, potential business and property owners, and visitors.

Many of our downtown businesses offer virtual tours of their storefront online so that you can take a peek inside their shops.

Downtown Winchester features a variety of events each year including the annual International Dogwood Festival, the Winchester Wriggle art show, Taste of Autumn, and many others.

Additionally, Winchester Downtown Program Corporation and the merchants and business owners in our downtown district regularly enjoy coverage by local news outlets.

We invite you to stop by and support our local small businesses!

Downtown Design

Downtown design means getting downtown Winchester into top physical shape and creating a safe, inviting environment for shoppers, workers, and visitors. We have taken advantage of the visual opportunities inherent in our commercial district by directing attention to all of its physical elements: public and private buildings, storefronts, signs, public spaces, parking areas, street furniture, public art, landscaping, merchandising, window displays, and promotional materials. An appealing atmosphere, created through attention to all of these visual elements, conveys a positive message about the commercial district and what it has to offer. We have also striven to instill good maintenance practices in the downtown area, enhancing the district’s physical appearance through the rehabilitation of historic buildings, developing sensitive design management systems, preserving the downtown area’s historic character, and long-term planning.

Renderings of the 2008 concept of the renovated downtown district designed by LRK, as well as the Project Master Plan and the proposed Historic Facade Restoration are available to view and download.

Economic Restructuring

Through economic restructuring, we are strengthening our community’s existing economic assets while diversifying its economic base. We have accomplished this by evaluating how to retain and expand successful businesses to provide a balanced commercial mix, sharpening the competitiveness and merchandising skills of business owners, and attracting new businesses that the market can support.

Our goal is to build a commercial district that responds to the needs of today’s consumers while maintaining the community’s historic character.