Photo: Visit Cabarrus

Feb. 23. Downtown Concord made HGTV’s list of the “30 Most Charming Small-Town Downtowns” in the United States. The popular home improvement and real estate TV network looked for small-town downtowns with charm, history and nostalgia.

Concord was the only city in North Carolina to make the list.

Other downtowns

Coming in first was Athens, Ga., followed by Fernandina Beach, Fla., Middleburg, Va, and then Concord.

Greenville, SC also made the list but coastal and lakefront towns dominated. Among them: Carmel by the Sea, Lake Placid, Bar Harbor, Lewes, Del. and Marquette Mich.

“It is a great affirmation to have others recognize our downtown and the small businesses that help make it so special,” said Johnson Bray, Concord’s downtown development manager.

What to look for

Downtown Concord has more than 40 locally owned and operated shops and restaurants as well as a dozen murals, including a special tribute to The Avett Brothers. Concord’s downtown is also home to the Cabarrus Arts Council, set in the renovated 1876 courthouse, where fine art fills four galleries on the first floor. The 227-seat Davis Theater on the second floor offers guests intimate musical experiences.

Photo: Visit Cabarrus