Main Street makes a comeback

Who says endangered species can never recover?

Take a look at what has happened with small-town business districts.

Two decades ago, the popular image of small-town downtowns was of boarded-up windows and empty storefronts, symbolic of larger trends that had moved shoppers to larger towns in search of regional malls and chain stores, and residents to metro areas in search of employment.

These days the small-town downtown is celebrated in books and magazine articles. Sunset magazine, for example, regularly profiles small towns around the West with lively, interesting business districts.

By BILL VIRGIN
P-I COLUMNIST

Full Story: http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/virgin/265665_virgin06.html

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