Why Main Streets Matter
We all know where our Main Streets are, but do we know what they are and why they matter? Whether they are named First Avenue or Water Street or Martin Luther King Boulevard, what they represent is universal. Main Street is the economic engine, the big stage, the core of the community. Our Main Streets tell us who we are and who we were, and how the past has shaped us. We do not go to bland suburbs or enclosed shopping malls to learn about our past, explore our culture, or discover our identity. Our Main Streets are the places of shared memories where people still come together to live, work, and play. 

So what is Main Street?  The phrase has been used to describe everything from our nostalgic past to our current economic woes, but when we talk about Main Street®, we are thinking of real places doing real work to revitalize their economies and preserve their character. Specifically, Main Street® is three things: a proven strategy for revitalization, a powerful network of linked communities, and a national support program that leads the field.

main street is economic development for louisiana

Since 1984, Louisiana Main Street has helped communities transform the way they think about the revitalization and management of their downtowns and neighborhood commercial districts. Cities and towns across the state have come to see that a prosperous, sustainable community is only as healthy as its core.

What  We  Have  Done

Check out some of the projects our organization has brought to life over the past several years!

Over the past ten years, the nationally accredited Olde Towne Slidell Main Street has seen many successes, including the addition of Carey Street Park, hosting Farm to Table dinners, creating the Olde Towne Alive! block parties, hosting A Taste of Olde Towne dinners and wine tastings, presenting the Bead Towne exhibit featuring art work created with recycled Mardi Gras beads, creating Through the Years events to fund restoration grants for Olde Towne businesses, co-sponsoring the Spirit of the Season Olde Towne Holiday Decoration Competition with the City of Slidell, and participating in Olde Towne events such as Arts Evening and White Linen and Lagniappe.

Carey Street Park

Olde Towne Slidell Main Street was awarded the Lighter, Quicker, Cheaper Placemaking Grant through Louisiana Main Street. With this grant a pocket park was created - Carey Street Park. The park features a pergola for small events, green space, hopscotch and freshly planted crepe myrtles.

NOLA.Com Article

District Improvement

Naulty's Shoe Repair was awarded the District Improvement Grant by Olde Towne Slidell Main Street, to renovate the facade of their mid-century shoe repair store.  OTSMS funded the match grant by hosting their Through the Years event. Their goal is to assist businesses in updating their buildings.

NOLA.com Article

A Taste Of Olde Towne

With its' inception in 2017, Olde Towne Slidell Main Street hosts A Taste of Olde Towne along with Cliff Bergeron. This multiple day affair features food, wine, and entertainment from Slidell's best! This is an amazing fundraiser to raise money for new historic street signs for the Olde Towne area.

St. Tammany West Article

Farm To Table

Dining under the stars, delicious food, sensational wine, and stimulating conversation is what's on tap during Olde Towne Slidell Main Street's Farm to Table dinners. The events will be held quarterly and feature chefs from different Olde Towne restaurants cooking up some local ingredients for an evening to remember. Limited seats available. Proceeds go to improving the Olde Towne area.                                

The Advocate

2018 District Improvements

Slidell's own Annette's House of Decor receives the 2018 Main Street District Improvement Grant from Louisiana Main Street. "The Louisiana Main Street Restoration Grants are intended to serve as a catalyst for change in these communities that otherwise may not have been possible," said Lieutenant Governor Billy Nungesser.

Office of Lt. Govenor

OTSMS Hosts
Mayoral Forum

Olde Towne Slidell Main Street hosts first mayoral forum. Economic development was the hot topic of the debate. Bruce Clement, Greg Cromer, Kevin Davis and  Landon Cusimano each hope to serve as the next mayor of Slidell. Voting will take place March 24, 2018.

Nola.com

olde Towne
Main Street Board
​in Action!