Downtown-Franklin-PuckettsThis month, Downtown Franklin Association members gathered to reflect on the year’s progress and to establish goals for 2014.

The annual workshop, held at the Franklin Theatre, produced a list of objectives for the local business owners who make up the organization—ones that will shape its focus in the coming year, says DFA Director Nancy Williams.

Williams says the group spent a sizable portion of the time exploring collaboration and cross-promotion opportunities among members, including extended weekend hours that, in theory, would drive more traffic to shops and restaurants in downtown Franklin after dusk.

“A large part of this organization’s mission is to allow local business to thrive while maintaining desirability and livability,” she said. “Those retail shops who stay open after 5 p.m. are saying they see a viable demand in the market for evening hours on Main Street.”

Bob Roethemeyer, owner of Avec Moi and current DFA president, keeps his doors open later than most on Main Street on the weekends and says he sees the evening hours as an opportunity for growth among members.

“As downtown Franklin continues its vibrancy, we have to expand our vision and be more proactive about capitalizing on the accelerating popularity. This is one avenue to do that,” Roethemeyer said.

Additional meeting objectives established by the group included:

  • Continuing to keep the DFA parking committee in front of the City of Franklin to encourage additional parking lots and/or garages
  • Creating awareness of established public restrooms, and working with the City of Franklin to implement other resources
  • Establishing a more prominent “shop local” message through DFA marketing materials and resources
  • Developing a better relationship with local neighborhood associations
  • Organizing a DFA committee to work with City of Franklin on better evaluating need for street closures, and communicating closures among businesses

The DFA, which was established in 1984, is comprised of businesses located inside the Mack Hatcher Bypass and Leiper’s Fork. Working in partnership with property owners, preservationists, city and county government and local businesses, the non-profit has helped create one of the nation’s greatest Main Street program success stories.

Just last year, Travel + Leisure named Franklin one of “America’s Favorite Towns,” following an online readers’ poll. That survey also showed that Franklin received honors for “Friendliest Town in America,” “Most Romantic Town” and “America’s Best Town For Halloween.”

Williams says the recognition is a great reward for the DFA members’ efforts, and an indicator of the organization’s influence.

“Those shout-outs are affirmations for so many people who have worked—and continue to work—to make Franklin what it is today,” she said. “I believe our Main Street program, and our small business owners, are a large part of that success.

“That’s what makes their involvement with this organization, and the community, so valuable.”

More About Downtown Franklin Association

Since its founding in 1984, Downtown Franklin Association (DFA) has spearheaded the revitalization of Franklin’s historic downtown core through the four-point program of the National Main Street Center of the National Trust for Historic Preservation: Organization, Design, Promotion and Economic Restructuring.

The DFA works in partnership with its members and the Heritage Foundation of Franklin & Williamson County to protect and preserve the city’s cultural resources.

Together, the two non-profit organizations also organize and promote several festivals and happenings each year.