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Community Corner

Old Town Merchants Association Gaining Momentum

Group is interested in making Old Town Lilburn a destination point.

The business owners of Old Town Lilburn are gaining momentum in the community have now started establishing agendas and discussion items with city officials.

The new group has named Barbara Barth as president, Hugh Wilkerson as vice-president and Julia Kilgore as secretary/treasurer.

The Old Town Merchants Association met recently with special guest Doug Stacks, Lilburn's Director of Planning and Economic Development.

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The business owners are primarily focused on three areas of concern:

Signage Pointing to Historic Lilburn

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The merchants are somewhat frustrated that there are no signs directing traffic from Highway 29 to the Shops in Old Town or some other directional reference to Historic Lilburn similar to the way other cities in Gwinnett County have done.  Stacks agreed to speak with the DDA about an interim banner or sign and would look into the situation further. 

“We want people to have a reason to stop by,” agreed Stacks emphatically.

Sidewalk on both sides of Main Street

Street and sidewalk improvements were completed a few years ago for one side of Main Street but not the other where the Barth's new Arts Center has been established.

Business owners are concerned that there is a public-safety issue for customers walking from one shop to another along that route.

Stacks explained that the construction plan for realigning of Main Street from Highway 29 include sidewalks and a new enhanced entrance to Old Town, and that would not be a quick fix.  

Finding Appropriate New Owners for Vacant Shops

Current shop owners are very concerned about future owners of the vacant shops and want to ensure that any new business fits into the Old Town concept.

Barth said they are not interested in creating another strip mall, but want to maintain a unique assortment of products and services that are consistent with the current ambience.

All agree that an eating establishment of some kind with patio tables would be ideal.

The next OTMA meeting is scheduled for June 27 at 5:30pm at 96 Main Street.  

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