About ShopMainStreet.org
ShopMainStreet.org is a national e-Commerce portal that connects savvy shoppers with unique “mom & pop” businesses in historic “Main Street” settings. Launched for the 2006 holiday season, it is an initiative of the National Trust Main Street Center. It allows you to not only find one-of-a-kind gifts, but also help independent businesses and the historic or traditional shopping districts in which they are located to compete with large national retailers. This site is not just about shopping - it's also about supporting a part of our heritage that is important to all of us.
About the National Trust Main Street Center
The National Trust Main Street Center, a program of the National Trust for Historic Preservation, is the leader of historic-preservation-based economic development. We stand firmly behind the idea that patronizing independent, or Mom & Pop, businesses is integral to the economic health and sustainability of revitalized Main Street districts. Many Main Street businesses reflect their community’s culture and heritage in their merchandise as well as through the historic buildings that they rehabilitate and occupy. By shopping at Main Street businesses you are choosing to purchase unique and special items from retailers who embrace the value of historic buildings. You’re also helping to preserve the unique heritage found only in historic and traditional shopping district, not in the mall.
The Main Street Center provides the methodology, resources, and national support for more than 1,200 nonprofit Main Street organizations working to revitalize their historic or traditional downtowns or neighborhood shopping districts throughout the nation. These volunteer-driven Main Street organizations build comprehensive revitalization programs that fill historic commercial districts with vibrant businesses, support entrepreneurs, launch street beautification efforts, support historic preservation, and produce events, among other initiatives.
Learn more about Main Street at www.mainstreet.org and learn more about the National Trust at www.nationaltrust.org.