New Mount Holly Merchants Group Forms

Keep It Local, by Barbara Lawrence – Aug. 15, 2012

Mount Holly downtown merchants and interested individuals representing a variety of organizations including the Chamber of Commerce and the City of Mount Holly have been discussing the future for several months. At the Aug. 7 meeting at First United Methodist Church, Jennifer Jordan was elected president to lead a new Mount Holly merchants’ organization. A focus group is being formed to guide how it will move forward. Doug Bess, chairman of the Mount Holly Chamber of Commerce, offered support and collaboration and mentioned the great business educational resources available.

Mrs. Jordan, owner of Sweet Peas Unique Gifts at 127 S. Main St.  in downtown Mount Holly, has been hitting the sidewalks and building communication among the businesses. She started the Classic Car Cruise In on Main Street and stated that she is “young and passionate” about downtown and building retail. Her persistence, joined by other enthusiastic merchants, is already taking root.

Sue Camacho of Time Flies Country Store shared news of a team developing with churches, businesses, city representatives, and other Mount Holly community organizations to launch an effort to support Mount Holly schools in addressing student needs. 

The City of Mount Holly and the Mount Holly Community Development Foundation have supported training of staff and the business community, respectively, through the annual NC Main Street Conference, over the past few years. Mount Holly has begun the building blocks for a potential Main Street application the future. The applications accepted each year are based on population, and Mount Holly’s opportunity may be available in 2015.  As chair of the the Downtown Revitalization Committee for the MHCDF, I have provided the application guidelines to Mrs. Jordan to help guide the organizational efforts.

Vince Hill, owner of The Caravan Coffee and Dessert Bar in Belmont, recently opened a second location in downtown Mount Holly. His experience serving as president of the Belmont Merchants Association has been helpful in pulling together interest in an organization for Mount Holly.  Mr. Hill discussed the challenges of meeting schedules and building attendance at merchant meetings regardless of the community. 

Learn more about the Mount Holly merchants organization

Contact the following people:

• Jennifer Jordan, Sweet Peas Unique Gifts: 704-827-6977 or email Jennifer
• Sue Camacho, Time Flies Country Store: 704-601-7131 or email Sue
• Vince Hill, Caravan Dessert and Coffee – 704-820-6072

About Barbara Lawrence – Barbara has a background in economic development and real-estate research. Her work has included revitalization of downtown Boone, downtown Gastonia and now Mount Holly.