City Guide 2024: Mission Main Street

A charming, historic, walkable Main Street is a highlight of any place you visit: quaint specialty shops, boutiques, bookstores, cafes, bakeries, and green spaces combine to create a destination for residents and visitors alike. For generations, Main Streets existed out of necessity—people’s basic needs had to be met within walking distance. And for a while, we lost that centrality—businesses moved near the freeway, shopping malls pulled commerce away from downtowns, “urban revitalization” efforts led to widespread demolition of historic Main Street structures in the name of progress. In retrospect, we can see that this movement was backwards. What we need now, for our city and our smaller communities across the region, is a return to Main Streets—a way for people to meet their needs closer to home with less reliance on big box stores and more reliance on local small businesses, fewer cars (and therefore fewer parking spaces), and more walkability.

Nationally, the Main Street America Program (established by the National Trust in 1980) “leads an inclusive, impact-driven movement dedicated to revitalizing and strengthening older and historic downtowns and neighborhood commercial districts across the country.” Locally, this is accomplished through the work of neighborhood groups, municipal governments and nonprofit organizations, with funding from Mission Main Street, Renaissance Block and Anchor Building grants distributed by the Erie County Gaming Revenue Authority (ECGRA) in specific Main Street communities in Erie County, such as The City of Erie, Girard, Union City, North East, Waterford and Corry.

The goal is to provide small businesses on Main Streets with facade improvement grants to keep their historic structures healthy, to improve them at a much lower cost to homeowners, and to preserve the historic look of downtown commercial areas while strengthening micro-economies around Erie. Funding from ECGRA (totaling $1,380,422.18 at last count) also works to improve local parks, fund public art, and maintain historic landmarks. In short, our smaller communities in Erie County that have been in decline for decades are now getting a boost, looking better, brighter, more vibrant – and bringing Main Street back. We hope you’ll visit a few of them while you’re here.

City of Erie

Erie’s main street is State Street – it’s the central artery of our downtown, dividing east from west and home to a multitude of small businesses that give Erie its character. Thanks to ECGRA grants and the work of nonprofits like the Erie Downtown Partnership and the Erie Downtown Development Corporation – there are plenty of new (and long-standing) businesses to visit. These include:

Ember and wrought iron

Locally roasted coffee, local art, an organic third space

401 Staatsstraat.

Ye Olde Candy Store

Cookies, cupcakes, coffee and gifts

402 Staatsstraat.

The Erie Art Museum

World-class art museum collection with classes, family activities and gifts

20 E. 5e St.

You choose 6 Tap House

Lots of beers on tap, indoor and outdoor seating, wood-fired pizzas

333 Staatsstraat.

Brick American Steak House

Fine dining in a beautifully restored historic Cashier’s House

417 Staatsstraat.

The shops at 5th and State

Visit The dollhouse in Pointe Foure (vintage clothing), Primo customization (men’s clothing), City facility (Erie Apparel), and Gallery of glass growers (art and gifts)

5th and State Street

RISE Erie

Indoor rock climbing for fitness and fun

426 Staatsstraat.

The Flagship City Food Hall

Choose from a number of small, locally run eateries in one space

22 N. Park Rij

Bakery on 5th

Turkish coffee and delicious pastries

502 Staatsstraat.

Andora’s Bubble Tea Shop

Boba Tea, Snacks & Gifts

516 Staatsstraat.

Voodoo Brewery

Regionally Brewed Beer in Historic Boston Store

101 Boston Store Pl.

The shops on 5th and State. Photo: Ryan Hoover

Gerard

ECGRA has already invested over $150,000 in Girard’s Main Street, and they’re just getting started. Girard Mayor Peter Burton notes, “The Mission Main Street grant provides a funding stream to smaller communities, an often overlooked part of the county. We are grateful to ECGRA for their attention and willingness to provide much-needed funding to small towns. These grants will enhance the appeal of our Main Street while attracting new visitors.” Here are a few places worth checking out on your next trip to Girard.

Full Circle Winery

Small batch wines in the historic Battles Bank building

12 Main Street E.

Main Street Art

Ceramics, watercolors, gifts and lessons

138 Main Street W.

Girard Dinor

Classic American diner with everyone’s favorites

222 Main Street W.

Downtown Girard. Photo: Erin Phillips

Northeast

North East’s Main Street is a particularly charming street, centered around a plaza with a busy public park that hosts community events throughout the year. Their Main Street branches off in several directions and is a fun, walkable experience.

Tia Book Cellar

Charming new bookstore space

15 W. Hoofdstraat.

The Skunk and Goat Tavern

Unique take on an American tavern dining experience

17 W. Hoofdstraat.

The Bean Coffee House

Local café for regional roastery Small City Roasting Co.

12 S. Lake St.

Rediscovered.Ry Antiques

One of those places where you never know what treasures you will find

14 S. Lake St.

Driftwood wine cellars

Family owned, Pennsylvania wines

20 E. Main Street.

Waterford

This small borough in southern Erie County is historic and proud of it. With a local history museum (55 High St.), and a number of historic buildings that keep the charm of the city center intact, Waterford is also home to one of the few remaining covered bridges in Erie County.

16441 Collective

Gallery and gift shop featuring local artists and craftsmen

210 Hoge St.

Sugar and spices

Located in the 1826 Eagle Hotel, featuring history and comfort food

32 High St.

Waterford Hotel

Beautiful Victorian hotel with informal dining

213 High St.

Heritage Gallery and Frame Shop

Hyperlocal art, gifts and home accessories

661 Hoge St.

Corrie

Erie County’s second-largest city, Corry, has turned its attention to its history. And with a nonprofit dedicated to strengthening the local economy in Impact Corry, it’s getting a new lease on life with improvements and community involvement.

Before the barrel distillery

Craft distillery focused on flavored moonshines

11 S. Centrumstraat.

Whistle Stop Antique Shopping Center

Find a great find with lots of antique furniture, art, glassware and jewelry

50 N. Center St.

Library Bar and Grill

Casual dining in the historic former home of the Corry Public Library

203 N. Centrumstraat.

Gallery of painted finches

Beautifully curated art in all media, from local and regional artists

32 N. Centrumstraat.

Epiphany’s Emporium

Handmade gifts and collectibles

34 N. Centrumstraat.

Main Street, Girard. Photo: Preservation Erie

Union City

Union City is a community in southern Erie County with a rich history. Founded in 1800, it thrived early on in furniture making and today it is working to reinvent itself while still honoring its history. With its own Historical Museum on Main Street (11 S. Main St.), you can stop in and learn its story before exploring.

The hustle and bustle of Union City

Every Main Street Needs Its Own Coffee Shop – What’s the Buzz in UC? The Buzz!

64 N. Main Street.

French Creek Business

Charming antique shop in a historic shop building that has recently been expanded

10 S. Main Street.

Brown Stone Studio

Handmade pottery, art, stained glass and more

67 S. Main Street.

Edinburgh

With the benefit of a university nearby, Edinboro has a youthful, vibrant Main Street corridor that just keeps getting better. With plenty of watering holes and creative and interesting small businesses, it’s always worth the drive south.

Flip Cafe

Winning Best Brunch Award year after year – find out what all the fuss is about.

103 Meadville St.

John’s Wildwood Pizzeria

Wins Best Pizza award time and time again. Hand-stretched fresh dough that is absolutely worth the hype.

105 Erie Street.

Edinboro Market

Edinboro Market is a farmers market times 100. It’s a micro-local market featuring farm fresh produce, local products, and artisan specialties.

109 Erie Street.

Aardshine Co.

Uniquely composed gifts and natural beauty products

118 Meadville St.

814 Outdoor Sports

Local full service ski and bike shop

500 W. Plum St.