PHOTO BY MICHAEL ANDERSON

Downtown Concord is a model American downtown, and special events not only show off this treasure, they bring business to merchants. Pop-up Downtown June 23—in conjunction with the annual Summer Sidewalk Sale— will bring more than 60 vendors and crafters. Add this to Downtown Concord’s more than 40 shops, and you have an economic development engine.

The City of Concord and Concord Downtown Development have approached economic development  together in a way that has not only improved downtown but the entire community as well.

June 23 is also Small Business Saturday in Downtown Concord. Merchants have joined together in a drawing to win $100 in “Downtown Concord Dollars.” They hold Small Business Saturday every fourth Saturday of the month every month to promote the importance of shopping local.

There is also a self-guided walking tour. Local historian and former Concord City Councilman Jim Ramseur has compiled a collection of historic photographs and histories for all walking tour sites.

Beacons have been installed at over fifty sites in the immediate Downtown area that utilize Bluetooth technology to create an interactive tour. Once users open the app on their phone they will need to enable Bluetooth to receive the self-guided walking tour communication. This self-paced tour will inform participants of the history of a particular building with accompanying images of yesteryear. Users will also learn about the businesses that occupy the building present day.

The Concord Library will host children’s activities as well.

The Concord Downtown Development Corp. is committed to fostering continued growth and redevelopment in the Downtown Concord Municipal Service District through promotion, design and business redevelopment.