ABOUT
UPTOWN SHELBY
THE ❤ OF OUR COMMUNITY
Uptown Shelby’s tree-lined streets invite locals and visitors alike to a variety of independent businesses and top-notch attractions.
Hear the music and stories of the American South at the Earl Scruggs Center, taste local produce at the Foothills Farmers’ Market, see a national act at the Don Gibson Theatre, discover local artists at the Cleveland County Arts Council, and explore our quirky, fun local businesses.
Between live music, great shopping, gallery shows, delicious food, and special events, there is always something fun to do in Uptown. Enjoy the great combination of ambiance and options that make Uptown Shelby exciting. Explore our website for more information about the destinations, businesses, and events in Uptown Shelby. Explore Uptown with our map that shows parking information, as well as shopping, dining, attractions, art and more.
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OUR STAFF
The Uptown Shelby Association staff team consists of two full-time employees and two part-time employees. We love being a small, women-led organization! To learn more about our team members, click their name.
OUR BOARD OF DIRECTORS
The Board of Directors is an integral part of the Uptown Shelby Association. With their guidance, USA creates and maintains strategic work plans and pushes forward our vision for the district. You can see the current roster of Board members below. If you're interested in serving on our board, please reach out to our Director via email.
FRED BLACKLEY
President
2023 - 2024
MOLLY HUSS
President - Elect
2023 - 2024
Miss Molly's Boutique
CRYSTAL RIVIERE - BLALOCK
Secretary
2023-2024
Studio 218
OUR MISSION
Our mission is to facilitate collaboration & growth, enrich the Uptown experience, and promote the district in order to strengthen Uptown Shelby and enhance the quality of life for our community.
We work to grow a stronger, more viable district through promotion, partnerships, economic restructuring, and design.
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THE MAIN STREET PROGRAM
The North Carolina Main Street Program operates through the state's Department of Commerce, but Uptown Shelby receives no state funding. Rather, those working in the state office provide self-help direction, and technical assistance and produce an annual state-wide conference welcoming all Main Street cities. Designation as a Main Street City is an honor, and the Uptown Shelby Association has been recognized by the state and national Main Street Programs for its revitalization and promotional projects.
For more than 40 years, the Main Street movement has transformed how communities think about revitalizing and managing their downtowns and neighborhood commercial districts. Cities and towns nationwide have seen that a prosperous, sustainable community is only as healthy as its core. The National Trust Main Street Center's mission is to empower people, organizations, and communities to achieve ongoing downtown and neighborhood district revitalization based on self-determination, resource conservation, and incremental transformation represented through the comprehensive Main Street Four-Point Approach®.
As a Main Street America™ Accredited program, the Uptown Shelby Association is a recognized leading program among the national network of more than 1,200 neighborhoods and communities who are both a commitment to creating high-quality places and to building stronger communities through preservation-based economic development. All Main Street America™ Accredited programs meet a set of National Accreditation Standards of Performance as outlined by Main Street America.
Uptown Shelby is a North Carolina Main Street Community, designated by the NC Department of Commerce and Main Street & Rural Planning Center. The Uptown Shelby Association is charged with administering the program at the local level and building public-private partnerships to spur economic development.
Uptown Shelby operates within the Main Street Program's Four-Point Approach: Economic Vitality, Organization, Promotion, and Design.
ECONOMIC VITALITY
The Uptown Shelby Association (USA) provides advice and technical support to existing businesses within the uptown area, and is responsible for recruiting new businesses that would strengthen and improve the economic base of Uptown Shelby. USA strongly encourages rehabilitating existing retail spaces, offices, residences, and other facilities.
Uptown business and property owners rely on the nonprofit Uptown Shelby Association to:
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Make referrals on Uptown properties available for sale or lease
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Encourage entrepreneurs and developers interested in renovation projects
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Provide information on Historic Tax Credits, the business Crime Watch program, and New Business Assistance Programs
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One-on-one assistance to Uptown business owners who request advice about marketing, advertising, strategic planning and event planning, as well as in-house design services for business cards, promotional pieces for print media or direct mail distribution and invitations.
ORGANIZATION
The Uptown Shelby Association builds partnerships among diverse groups, following our vision which encourages revitalization and development efforts. More specifically, we undertake training and projects that develop new board and committee members to take on leadership in the community. The board and staff of Uptown Shelby Association are also active in sharing leadership responsibilities with other prominent community organizations and institutions.
PROMOTION
The Uptown Shelby Association sponsors special events, festivals, and promotional programs to attract more people into the Uptown district and create a strong, positive image with the public. Our promotional programs may range from large scale events, such as Alive After Five concerts, to modest shop local advertising and public relations efforts.
DESIGN
We work to strengthen the quality of the Uptown district through design principles employed in architecture, street landscapes, traffic patterns, public amenities, and other techniques. Special attention is paid to historic restoration and adaptive reuse of existing properties, emphasizing the sustainable nature of the physical Uptown District.
THE MUNICIPAL SERVICE DISTRICT
As a Main Street America organization, we are bound to serve our specified district, which the City of Shelby defines as the Municipal Service District (MSD). Funding for our organization comes, in part, through the MSD tax, which is collected by the City and distributed to the Uptown Shelby Association. We work to better our district, build community, and drive tourism to our area through the Main Street Four Point Approach.
To view the MSD and to determine if your business is located within it, please refer to the map below. You can download a PDF copy of this map by clicking here.
