CAVE CITY, Ark. — A project aimed at revitalizing Main Street in Cave City is underway as the Heart of Cave City introduces AWNWARD, an effort to replace decades-old shared awnings with custom designs tailored to individual businesses.
The original awnings spanned multiple storefronts and obscured much of the historic architecture along the street, according to Brandi Schulz, program director for the revitalization group. Volunteers stepped in to remove the outdated structures, exposing the facades for the first time in years.
"They haven’t seen these facades in years, so they’re really excited about that," Schulz said. "The property owners have selected their colors, their patterns, and we’re really excited about a bright, bold look, with lots of color."
Under the AWNWARD initiative, property owners are working on designs for new, smaller awnings that reflect the character of their individual businesses while enhancing the overall aesthetic of the street. Each business owner has chosen custom colors and patterns to achieve a fresh, unique appearance.
Schulz noted that the architectural update intends to make the area more inviting. "We want to take care of our business owners that are already here, and we hope to draw some more in," she said. "We have more opportunity for businesses here on Main Street, and we think providing it with a fresh new look will make it more inviting."
The project is estimated to cost $40,000, with volunteers saving approximately $10,000 by assisting in the removal of the old awnings. Schulz anticipates installation of the new awnings later this month.
Heart of Cave City hopes that the revamped Main Street will attract additional businesses, giving the area a vibrant new appearance while preserving its historic charm.