The Main Attraction
From shopping local to community events, South Jersey’s main streets are thriving once again.
Main streets have long been the heart of towns and neighborhoods, offering spaces where everyday moments unfold. From enjoying a cup of coffee and browsing local shops to meeting loved ones for dinner, getting a haircut or picking up necessities, these familiar thoroughfares provide convenience while reflecting the character of the communities around them.
Across South Jersey, these downtown districts continue to evolve, blending local businesses, historic charm and community traditions that keep them vibrant. Behind every successful main street are the residents, business owners and organizations who invest their time and energy into making these spaces welcoming destinations for everyone.
A Sense of Community
The energy surrounding South Jersey’s main streets begins with the people who support them. Residents and visitors continue to show up, choosing locally owned businesses and restaurants, demonstrating just how much they value their neighborhood.
“When people are proud of where they live, they show up, shop local, volunteer and attend events that invest in their neighbors and their community,” Mayor Quinton Law of Moorestown says. “I see how folks feel about it based on how they come out and support. If Main Street gives people a place to feel connected to their community, that’s what’s going to create a stronger downtown.”
Community events are another contributing factor in keeping this atmosphere alive. Seasonal festivals, holiday celebrations, farmers markets, outdoor concerts, craft fairs and parades allow residents to spend time downtown while introducing newcomers to the area, all while being planned by community members and local organizations. As these traditions progress, they become annual occasions that families look forward to with attendance growing each year.
“We have our May Fair festival, an arts and craft festival, a book festival and a book fest,” says Daniela Solano-Ward, mayor of Collingswood. “May Fair is run by the Business Improvement District, the arts and crafts festival is an outside vendor who has been doing this for 20 years and the book festival is entirely run by volunteers in town.”
Much of the beauty and upkeep of main streets comes from dedicated individuals who want to see their community flourish. They lend a hand in countless ways, from planting the colorful flowers you see on your stroll down the street to maintaining the cleanliness of the area that keeps downtown welcoming for everyone. These community-led projects not only improve the appearance of these high-traffic areas, but also continue to strengthen relationships among neighbors who share the common goal of helping their community thrive.
“We have volunteers that are doing everything from watering the flower baskets to throwing successful events, like Moorestown Day, Autumn in Moorestown and parades on Main Street,” Law says. “That [creates this] inclusive feeling that this Main Street belongs to everyone and it’s done by people sacrificing their time and energy to make it the special place it is.”
Bustling Businesses
Sometimes overshadowed by malls and online shops, main streets are experiencing a bit of a resurgence. As more people look for unique shopping and dining experiences, communities are seeing a newfound interest in locally owned businesses that bring variety and breathe life into the area.
In Collingswood, this momentum is reflected in the growing mix of businesses recently opened along Haddon Avenue, where residents can experience more diverse options.
Amy Henderson Riley, deputy mayor of Collingswood, suggests a couple of spots along their main street that have become local favorites. “We have a growing group of Black-owned businesses in town—Chatterbox being one of them,” says Riley. “There is a brand new vegan lunch spot called Quick Bitez which is also Black-owned. We have some cool new businesses as well, like Catmosphere, a brand new cat café. You make an appointment and you get an hour to hang out with cats, which are all adoptable.”
Abbie Galie, a local business owner and creator of Destination Medford, has a passion for main streets and informing the public about the many options available downtown.
“Years ago, Medford wasn’t really on the map on social media, so it’s nice to put the word out to people,” Galie says.
As one of the owners of Lower Forge Brewery, Galie has the advantage of seeing the many ways that a bustling main drag can both boost business and uplift the community.
“We fell into this role of being the people that are the community leaders and organizers thinking about our friends and Main Street. We want everybody to be comfortable and to feel welcomed—that’s a big part of it,” she says.
Honoring the Past
One of the defining characteristics of South Jersey’s main streets is the history that made them unique in the first place. Historic buildings, informational signs and statues throughout these districts allow visitors to learn about their significance, making sure to preserve the town’s storied past.
“The most complete dinosaur fossil was found in Haddonfield. We have the statue of Haddie and that is in the heart of downtown,” Mayor Dave Siedell says. “The downtown corridor has historic preservation guidelines. We try to keep that colonial charm—we have the place where the New Jersey State Assembly declared New Jersey a state, and we build off of that.”
Demonstrations and historical reenactments are another way Haddonfield celebrates its past.
“We have reenactors that are telling stories on a schedule,” Siedell says. “You can show up at 11 o’clock and learn about Betsy Ross on a Saturday, see how barrels were made, how leather was tanned or how paper was made.”
As downtowns continue to grow, many towns rely on historic preservation commissions to help preserve their architectural character.
“We have a historic preservation commission, so anytime there’s improvements that need to be done in the Old Marlton Villages, it goes to them for review,” Evesham Mayor Jaclyn Veasy says. “Some of those standards are keeping up with colors, types of features people can have on the property and making sure that historic homes are as much an important part of the Main Street area as any other development that’s happening.”
Inclusivity and the Next Generation
As families look for areas that offer convenience and connection, main streets continue to appeal to a wide range of individuals. New enhancements, whether that’s through additional events or added features, offer something that benefits residents and visitors alike.
“In recent years we have made it easier [to park] and [increased] visibility for people to have access to our Main Street and to know that those areas are open for them,” says Stacy Webb, deputy director of community development for Evesham.
Creating an inclusive community also means celebrating the diverse backgrounds of the people who call these towns home. Throughout the year, many main streets host cultural festivals, heritage celebrations, food festivals and performances that highlight different backgrounds and traditions.
“We are going to have our first Hispanic Heritage event coming up on September 19,” Solano says. “This was brought by a group of community members who wanted to see it happen.”
While every downtown has its own character, they all share a common purpose: bringing people together. That commitment to community continues to attract new residents, preserve local history and strengthen these vibrant districts for future generations. Whether it’s stopping for a morning coffee, catching a parade, shopping a family-owned business or simply greeting a familiar face on the sidewalk, South Jersey’s downtowns continue to prove that a main street is more than a place—it’s where community comes to life.
photo credit to The Partnership for Haddonfield
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Published and copyrighted in South Jersey Magazine, Volume 23, Issue 4 (July 2026)
Published and copyrighted in South Jersey Magazine, Volume 23, Issue 4 (July 2026)
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