Bank of Holly Springs

Fielder’s Choice

Good to see united plan for downtown

I was a bit discouraged when I walked over to the Business on the Square meeting at The Bottomless Cup late Thursday afternoon.

I had just finished reading that Fred’s will be closing 159 stores, including the one in downtown Holly Springs.

In a “USA Today” story about the closures, a portion of it was headlined “What happened?”

It talked about the bigger retail picture nationwide.

“Fred’s is part of a wave of recent retail closures. Based on figures from global marketing research firm Coresight Research, bankruptcy filings and company earnings reports, more than 6,500 stores are slated to close locations in 2019.

“The brick-and-mortar downturn is expected to continue, according to a new report released recently from UBS Securities. Investment bank analysts said 75,000 more stores would need to be shuttered by 2026 if e-commerce “penetration rises from 16 percent currently to 25 percent.”

Then when I went to the meeting of city and county officials, downtown business owners and others, I was uplifted. It was an encouraging, positive gathering.

Number one is the teamwork on display. There’s unity – from government and the private sector – all wanting to boost downtown Holly Springs.

There were questions. There were answers. There were opinions. But there was unity and applause.

Topics included the annual Fourth of July celebration, which will be held on July 3 this year. The big event brings thousands downtown for good music, good food and a fantastic fireworks display.

Plans for the annual Bikers Night and a Farmers Market were also on the agenda.

There was a presentation on the planned downtown square improvements – including the installation of new decorative lights on the awnings and the addition of green space.

The city is also moving forward with a new Leisure and Recreation Ordinance. It is published in full in this week’s legal section of the newspaper.

Improvements are scheduled in Blues Alley, which will include renovations to the old Water and Light Building to focus on tourism, specifically the Hill Country Blues.

Bottom line, there are a lot of good things in the works.

I was raised in a small town. I grew up shopping downtown.

And I do not ever want to see that fade away.

I’m not a fan of e-commerce. I’m old school. I want to shop in stores, with people I know. I like talking, face to face. We must support one another.

Your community newspaper is so very thankful for your support. We are blessed.

I overheard a lady visiting Holly Springs during the recent Tour of Historic Homes talking about how much she loved this “little town” and she was considering purchasing a home here.

Holly Springs is a special place, but we can make it better. We cannot be stagnant. Those gathered last week know that. And I believe great things can be and will be accomplished, through a unified, positive approach.

 

Holly Springs South Reporter

P.O. Box 278
Holly Springs, MS 38635
PH: (662) 252-4261
FAX: (662) 252-3388
www.southreporter.com