Gaston County, NC

A century ago, the downtown area of any city in America was its heart, soul and center. Shopping and entertainment were combined with growth and business, and Gastonia was no different.

But like many city centers across the country, that vibrancy has faded over the years as people moved to the suburbs and strip malls, and shopping complexes usurped the downtown hub.

But all of that is changing now in Gaston County downtowns, thanks to the vision of what could be – and the fortitude of local business owners.

“When downtowns are allowed to decline, the social, cultural and political heart of the area will disappear,” says Missy Turney, the interim director of the Gastonia Downtown Development Corporation.

“Revitalizing the downtown area creates a sense of community and a sense of belonging. And older existing properties can provide inexpensive space for small and start-up businesses and can serve as incubators in which businesses can grow.”

And people are taking advantage of those historic buildings. When it was time for Dodie Huffman to expand her business, Image Gallery, she saw a lot of potential in the 1922 historic Kirby Building.

“I saw it and fell in love with it, but at the time I couldn’t do anything because someone else was in it,” she says. But once it was available, she jumped at her chance.

“I love the building,” Huffman says of the 6,000 square feet that houses a gallery downstairs, studios, movie screening room to view pictures and a gorgeous spiral staircase.

“We hold events here and people come in the building and are amazed and never thought this would be downtown,” she says.

And changing that perception is going to be one of the major keys in keeping the growth and momentum going.

“More communities are realizing that downtown revitalization and the reuse of historic structures is a way to get return on investments,” says Turney. “A revitalized downtown protects property values in surrounding residential neighborhoods. The buildings are just the backdrops for what a downtown is truly about, a community’s soul.”

In fact, one couple has so much faith in the growth of downtown and all that it could mean for Gastonia, they each opened their own business within months of each other.

First to open was Ella Childe’s GasPump Coffee Co. Childe, who dreamed of opening her own business, was looking for a job but dreaded the grind of a typical 9-5. With the support of her husband, she went for it.

“We see a lot of potential here,” Childe says of the area. “There was never a question in my mind it needed to be downtown. For me it is just as much about the potential that is here. I really think it is on the cusp of being a very cool place.”

Her husband, Brad Freeman, was so inspired by his wife and downtown Gastonia that he left his longtime career in corporate banking to open Freeman’s Pub, and authentic Irish pub that has been packed from the moment the doors opened and the first pint was poured.

“Things needed to start changing,” he says of his motivation. “We were tired of people talking about the changes needed downtown, but nothing changed. So instead of talking about it, we put both feet in and all the cards on the table.”

And it seems like their leap of faith is going to pay off. And that can only mean good things for everyone in town.

“Downtown Gastonia is definitely on the move with new businesses, events and interest from the public,” says Turney. “Restored buildings, attractive storefronts, entertainment, specialty retail, cultural events and pedestrianfriendly walkways and streets will gradually change and reinforce the public’s perception that downtown Gastonia is the heart and soul of Gaston County.”