Jan 3, 2005 By Rebekah Sungala 6 min read

When he began his George C. Marshall Plan II to revitalize Uniontown’s Main Street, one of Joe Hardy’s goals was to bring businesses and shoppers back to the downtown. And, based on the response from some downtown business owners, the city’s facelift seems to be doing just that.

Several storeowners said the revitalization efforts brought more people Christmas shopping downtown this year.

Debra Bortz, owner of Unique Gift Baskets and More on Morgantown Street, said she has had a steady stream of customers since she opened in October, especially during the weeks surrounding Christmas. In fact, Bortz was so busy that she had to have extra help.

“December was a very good month for me. I have no complaints whatsoever, except that I’m tired,” Bortz said. “It was a little overwhelming.”

Her store specializes in making themed gift baskets.

During Christmas, many people bought something from the other new stores on Morgantown Street and took their items to Bortz to be made into a “Morgantown Street Basket” to be given away as gifts, she said.

“It was nice,” Bortz said, “to see patrons visiting all the stores down here.”

Bortz said she expects another rush in February because of Valentine’s Day.

Across the street at the Chocolate-A-Day candy store, racks of assorted chocolate treats can be seen through glass display cases.

Beverly Snyder, an employee, said the store has been busy since opening in the beginning of December.

“We were very, very busy. Swamped is more like it,” Snyder said, adding that a lot of people came in to buy candy for the holidays. She said they also had people who purchased candy to be put in their “Morgantown Street Basket.”

“Customers told us that they were glad a homemade candy shop opened here,” Snyder said. “We’re slowing down a little right now and getting a break, but I’m sure it will pick up again.”

Both stores opened after Hardy’s plan was put into action. Crews made over the fronts of stores and other businesses with new facades and installed decorative street signs and directional signs. Hardy also purchased several buildings to rent out to businesses.

Additionally, the city made Main Street a one-lane throughway and set up parking along the corridor.

Bortz said Hardy does not own the building in which her store is located; however, she said Hardy’s efforts to “bring the city back to life” are the reason more people are visiting Uniontown.

Steve Neubauer, owner of Neubauer’s II: A Holiday Experience, agreed with Bortz. His store is in a building owned by Hardy.

“The renovations to the downtown helped a lot, as did the free two-hour parking along Main Street,” Neubauer said.

This is the second year Neubauer opened the holiday store, which is open only part of the year.

“In the mornings, we had people waiting at the door to get in. Our traffic count was twice as much as last year. From lookers to buyers, there were more people coming in and out of our store. Sales were much better,” he said.

Neubauer, who also owns Neubauer’s Flowers Inc. on South Gallatin Avenue, remembers when the flower shop opened in 1982.

“That was the only place we could get. The other buildings were full,” he said. However, as the years passed, Neubauer said, he watched as more and more merchants moved out, leaving empty building behind.

“I’ve witnessed the decline of Uniontown, and now I’m witnessing the rebirth,” he said. “There are people downtown again. The future is bright.”

Dick Hostetler said he is happy with the way business has been going lately. Hostetler, who owns Hostetler’s Jewelers on the corner of Main and Morgantown streets, has been in business for 35 years.

“We’re happy,” he said. “The parking on Main Street is helping, but they need to watch it.

According to Hostetler, Uniontown residents take advantage of the free parking and park their vehicles there for hours at a time, sometimes all day and night. That, he said, takes parking away from patrons.

Hostetler said a proposed 300-space parking garage to be built across from City Hall will help.

Like Hostetler, Bortz said she too realizes parking is a problem. As a promotion, Bortz gives customers who spend $5 or more in her store a one-hour parking ticket to the city’s existing parking garage at Church Street and Beeson Avenue.

“I feel bad about the parking situation. If they park at the meters and run over a little they get ticketed,” she said.

Bob Junk, president of Commercial Center Associates, Hardy’s real estate company, said he is aware of the current parking problems and said the issue is being addressed.

“It’s nothing that can’t be fixed,” Junk said. “Overall, I’m very pleased with the progress that had been made within the last few months.”

Junk said more stores are scheduled to open this spring. He also said he has noticed more traffic on the streets and more people walking on the sidewalks.

Muriel Nuttall, director of the Fayette Chamber of Commerce, said there had been a definite increase in the number of people downtown.

“There are a lot of people stopping by our office or calling, asking what times new stores are open and where they are located,” she said.

Junk said he is eager to see more stores open downtown.

“I’d like to see more stores open sooner, but I know it takes time. Our main focus has always been to change and improve the city and get more people in town, and we have. It’s been a great asset to the merchants,” he said.

In order to draw more visitors to Uniontown, Junk said the Commercial Center Associates formed a cooperative with the Fayette Chamber of Commerce and Downtown Business District Authority. The cooperative will be in charge of coordinating 13 events throughout the year.

The first event, Junk said, will be held in mid-January. Details will be released soon.

“The community has really stepped up to the plate and got involved,” he said. “It’s an exciting time in Uniontown.”