From Shane Shepard

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The Winnsboro Main Street Program is moving forward strongly. The economics, vibrancy and revitalization efforts are expanding. Occupancy rates among the downtown buildings are nearly 80%+ and the retail mix is strong. The Main Street effort has been embraced in Downtown Winnsboro and is truly a community-wide effort. The initiative has brought the district into a highly visited tourist area.

Currently, residence of the Main Street area consist of a newly restored train depot / Visitor’s Center that houses the Chamber of Commerce, Autumn Trails, and Northeast Texas Music Festival as well as a conference hall. 

In addition, the Trails Country Centre for the Arts is undergoing restoration and repairs. 

There are several places to eat downtown:  the only Winery in Wood County, The Bakery, Double C Steakhouse and Saloon, and a soon to open Mediterranean restaurant that will serve meals prepared in authentic stone ovens. 

Quality live entertainment is available at Crossroads Coffeehouse and Music and the Trails Country Center for the Arts almost every weekend. In addition, high end guitars are handmade in the new Mossman Guitar Shop downtown. 

If you prefer to get entertainment to go, a Video Store is located on Elm Street in the district.  The revitalized district offers an array of unique shopping experiences including a dress shop, a bridal shop, frames, high end kitchenware, a quality “redneck” gift shop, a Christian bookstore, flowers and gifts and antiques. 

For those who need a relaxing experience, a day spa is located directly across from the Bakery and a Curves women’s exercise facility will be debuting in late October. 

Currently, there are no rooms available for nightly stays downtown (though there are two apartments), Winnsboro is the home to world-class bed and breakfasts and a small motel. 

“Downtown Winnsboro is a sight to see,” explained Shane Shepard – Winnsboro Main Street / Community Development Director.  “Several years ago, the streets rolled up at 5:00 pm.  Now you can easily eat and shop in the Winnsboro’s Main Street District until 11pm with the food, shopping, dining, and various entertainment.  These are good times in our small town.”Shepard contributes the initiatives success to the entire community. “Everybody here now and in the past has been an essential part in developing what we have now.  It’s really only the beginning of a great vision.”

The Winnsboro Main Street office may be contacted at 903.342.0684 or sshepard@winnsborotexas.com