The Myth of Main Street? | Main Street America

Dear Main Streeters,

The Loch Ness Monster, unicorns, leprechauns, and Main Streets. What do they have in common? They’re all myths. At least that’s according to yesterday’s New York Times, which ran an opinion piece by economist Louis Hyman, “The Myth of Main Street.” Today's Main Streets, he tells us, are nothing more than pure nostalgia, and only thrive in enclaves of the wealthy, like Brooklyn.

We thought you might share our opinion that Main Streets are, in fact, quite real. Spread the word by using the hashtag #realmainstreet and share your thoughts on the idea that Main Streets are mythology. Check out some commentary on the topic already, including:

A great tweet by Donovan Rypkema of Place Economics: “This is one of the singularly misinformed and ignorant OpEd pieces I’ve ever read in the New York Times.”

Mindy Thompson Fullilove’s reaction, who is a social psychaitrist: http://mainstreetnj.blogspot.com

And lastly...mine: https://www.facebook.com/patrice.frey

Warm regards,


President and CEO, National Main Street Center​​