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In honor of National Black Business Month, we spoke with two Black entrepreneurs in UrbanMain commercial districts: L. May Creations in the Austin neighborhood of Chicago and The Four Way in south Memphis, Tennessee. The Four Way, a soul food restaurant, has been a staple in the community for 70 years, and L. May Creations, an event space, is only a few years old. But both business owners purchased their buildings and are passionate about creating a strong community of small business owners in their corridors. Keep reading to learn more about their businesses, the impact of the past year, and the support they received from their local UrbanMain programs.
Letrusia May: L. May Creations is an elegant event space for the community to come and enjoy. We host birthday parties, baby showers, prom send-offs, and even weddings. I wanted a special place in the community, where people could come and see beauty and enjoy themselves. I purchased the building in 2017, and it was completely dilapidated at the time. I’m a licensed general contractor, so I did a complete gut rehab of the first and second floors.
Can you describe the process of purchasing the space?
Letrusia May: I own multiple residential buildings in the community, but the L. May space was my first commercial property. I purchased it at the urgings of a member of The Austin African American Business Networking Association (AABNA). Through the AABNA, I learned about a grant offered by the City of Chicago—the Retail Thrive Zone Grant. Through that grant, I received $180,000 to assist me in doing upgrades and beautifying the space.
It is more rewarding to be both the building owner and small business owner. It gives you a chance to worry more about being successful in the business and not worry about paying rental fees. Expenses are much higher, but it’s given me the opportunity to think of ways to grow the business and be more successful. If you know you want to make a purchase, it’s about sacrifice. If I can do it, anybody can do it.
How did you make the leap from real estate agent to small business owner and real estate developer?
Letrusia May: One of the Board Members for the AABNA Shirley Fields, asked me “What are you doing for your community?” She convinced me to start rehabbing properties, get commercial space, and to join the AABNA to help rebuild our community.
How has the AABNA assisted you and other small business owners?
Letrusia May: AABNA does so much for community and works to rebuild the Chicago Ave. corridor. Being able to fellowship with other businesses and all get together and talk about how to stay strong and patronize each other has been very rewarding. I became a board member for the AABNA because I saw that they’re a great organization that really cares about the community. We talk to people who want to become small businesses and assist them in getting off the ground. For me as a small business owner, I obtained a grant to purchase my building for my business, so I can speak to other small businesses and advise them on how to complete applications. Whenever the city rolls out grants, the AABNA holds meetings and makes sure we’re available to help small business owners with applying. They also incorporate small businesses in local events, like Kwanzaa celebrations and a 5K.
What advice would you give to other small business owners?
Letrusia May: If you never give it a try, if you never apply, then you’ll never be approved. I would tell them to look for an organization like the AABNA, who has meetings with small business owners to talk about grant applications and guide them through the process. I took a workshop like that, which really helped with my grant application.
Can you describe the small business environment in the corridor today?
Letrusia May: I love the Chicago Ave. corridor. All of the businesses—we’re like a family. We support each other; we’re there for each other; and we’re continuing to grow. People want to come out to the corridor. For Juneteenth this year, we wanted to give back to the community. So we did a pop-up shop for all the small businesses who wanted to come and sell their products and didn’t have a brick-and-mortar location. All the businesses form the corridor came out and supported the vendors. It was a great feeling to be supportive of those businesses.
What are your hopes for the Soul City corridor?
Letrusia May: The corridor is looking up. We have multiple restaurants opening, and other small businesses opening. Things are going in a positive direction, and I’m excited. I purchased a lot next door to L. May that will have a restaurant, and it should be up and running after a rehab in the summer of next year. I told myself, “You’re going to rebuild this community one property at a time,” and that’s what we’re trying to do.
The Four Way: Memphis, Tennessee
Patrice Bates Thompson: I’m the current owner, and my family has owned the restaurant for 20 years. I’ve been the head person in charge since March of 2016 when my father became ill. I’m the bookkeeper, do administrative work, and run the daily operations. I have two children—a daughter who is 23 and my son who is 26. One day they will be partners in the restaurant.
My dad grew up in the neighborhood, and when he saw that the area was getting gentrified and things were starting to get knocked down, he had the opportunity to purchase the building. He bought it and reopened the restaurant. I worked at the restaurant for years and took things over from my dad. I’ve learned to embrace the business and enjoy running it now.
What is The Four Way’s role in the community?
Patrice Bates Thompson: The restaurant has been a staple in the community. People look forward to coming to the restaurant to hear about and see history. It’s a source of employment in the community and keeps people in the community uplifted. It’s not just a restaurant, but it’s a meeting place. People come here for meetings, to retreat into comfort, and know they’re getting food made with love from people who live in south Memphis. We try to be a beacon of light in community and an example of the rich history of the area.
Can you describe your relationship with your local UrbanMain program?
Patrice Bates Thompson: The Works allowed us to get out of our silo and view successes from other parts of the country with similar opportunities. It gave us the necessary push to take the lead for our own future. The Works exposed individuals who have their own agendas that aren't aligned with our particular needs and issues, which was great. It helped us find likeminded groups that we could can use to help us grow.
What challenges is your business facing?
Patrice Bates Thompson: Staffing is the biggest challenge right now. We’re trying hard to get new employees to come back in since some of our old employees didn’t return. We’d like to run six days per week, but we can only work three to four days per week due to staffing. Getting quality and consistent product is another issue. We don’t want to raise prices on our customers, but it’s difficult. We’re not able to get the same items we could usually get easily, and the items are not the same quality we’re used to.
How have you pivoted during the pandemic?
Patrice Bates Thompson: We’ve never stopped wearing masks, but a lot of customers don’t want to wear masks. So we’ve adjusted and have curbside service and preordering available online, which we never had before. We purchased a new phone, since we’re getting more calls about orders, and we can text and let people know their order is ready. We’re proud that we’ve done these things to adapt and help continue doing business safely. Because we are short-staffed we’re limited in our dine-in capabilities. Because we’re historic, we get a lot of customers from out of town and visiting for first time. But it can be hard to get in due to capacity restrictions.
What advice do you have for other small business owners during these difficult times?
Patrice Bates Thompson: Continue on and remain patient. Just try new ways and new strategies of doing your business. Remember your goals and never give up.
What’s next for The Four Way?
Patrice Bates Thompson: Before the pandemic started, we were working on purchasing other properties. We were fortunate that we were able to purchase a building next door to the restaurant. We’re calling it the Four Way Legacy Plus; it’s an event center that can host any type of event you could want. We’re hosting a birthday party soon and we already have a wedding and retirement party booked. It will also serve as a part-time to-go center for the restaurant since we get so many orders on the weekends. We received a $40,000 grant from American Express to enhance the outdoor space of the restaurant and put in a patio there, as well. We have a lot in store.
Urban Impact Inc., harnesses strategic investments and collaborative efforts to foster a vibrant and sustainable future, from visionary adaptive reuse ventures to transformative development grants for small businesses and property owners in Birmingham, Alabama's historic 4th Avenue Black Business District.
In the last episode of season two of Main Street Business Insights, tune in as host Matt Wagner breaks down how to understand and synthesize local market data.
Sterling Main Street launched a brick and mortar retail incubator spaces. Executive Director Janna Groharing shares lessons they learned about organization, fundraising, and outreach.
In this episode of Main Street Business Insights, Matt sits down with Glen Ellis, owner of Sycamore Education, Dominion Catalyst Services, and Milady Coffeehouse in Fremont, Nebraska.
In this episode of Main Street Business Insights, Matt sits down with Jaime Courtney, President of Shoalwater Seafood, Derek King, Oyster Farm Director of Shoalwater Seafood, and Shane Thomas, Tribal Council Vice Chair of the Shoalwater Bay Indian Tribe.
Sarah Cole, owner of Abadir’s in Greensboro, Ala., was a 2023 Backing Small Businesses grantee. Abadir’s is a pop-up eatery specializing in seasonal and wholesome baked goods influenced by Egyptian traditions and flavors combined with inspiration from true Southern cuisine.
In this episode of the Main Street Business Insights podcast, Matt sits down with Casey Woods, Executive Director of Emporia Main Street in Emporia, Kansas.
In this episode of Main Street Business Insights, Matt sits down with Nicole Fleetwood and McKinzie Hodges, co-owners of Scratch Made Bakery in Amarillo, Texas.
Tylisya Gober, owner of Barbie Behavior Boutique in Oak Park, Mich., was a 2023 Backing Small Businesses grantee. Barbie Behavior is a women’s clothing boutique specializing in celebrity-inspired attire.
Tiffany Fixter, owner of Brewability in Englewood, Colorado, was a 2023 Backing Small Businesses grantee. Brewability is an inclusive brewery and pizzeria that employs adults with disabilities to brew craft beer.
We’re excited to announce that Main Street America will continue to offer virtual and on-demand small business training in 2024 through an evolved program, the Small Biz Digital Trainers program.
In this episode of Main Street Business Insights, Matt sits down with Tiffany Fixter, owner of Brewability, an inclusive craft brewery and pizzeria that employs adults with disabilities based in Englewood,
In this episode of Main Street Business Insights, Matt sits down with Jennifer Jones, co-owner of Good Times Coal Fired Pizza and Pub in Big Stone Gap, Virginia.
In this episode of Main Street Business Insights, Matt sits down with Bobby Boone, founder and Chief Strategist of &Access. Based in New Orleans, La., &Access creates data-driven and design-centric retail real estate solutions for historically excluded entrepreneurs and under-invested neighborhoods.
New Orleans, Louisiana © Bobby Boone
Tasha Sams, Manager of Education Programs, shares highlights of phase one of the Equitable Entrepreneurial Ecosystems (E3) in Rural Main Streets Program and the biggest takeaways from the workshop experiences.
In this video, learn more about the Williams’ family story, how the business is helping to revive downtown Helena, and the impact they’re having on a national level.
In this episode of Main Street Business Insights, Matt sits down with Janet Hurn, co-founder of Future Ready Consulting in Cincinnati, Ohio.
Cincinnati, Ohio © Janet Hurn
In this episode of Main Street Business Insights, Matt sits down with Derrick Braziel, owner of Pata Roja Taqueria and co-founder of MORTAR, in Cincinnati, Ohio.
Matt Wagner, Ph.D., shares his predictions for the trends impacting small businesses in 2024.
Chief Program Officer Matt Wagner, Ph.D., shares his predictions for the trends impacting small businesses in 2024.
A podcast featuring some of the best advice we heard from entrepreneurs and community leaders across the country.
Our research team shares the results of the Fall 2023 Small Business Survey.
Learn how local entrepreneurs have leveraged the power of a Main Street community to establish, maintain, and grow their ventures.
Learn how this organization is uplifting business owners and preventing displacement.
Charlotte, NC © Pixabay
Small Business Saturday is an important opportunity to show your support for local businesses. We asked business owners across the network what your support means to them.
Laramie, WY © Laramie Main Street Alliance
Meet the latest recipients of the Backing Small Businesses Program from American Express!
Matt sits down with Jamie and Jerry Baker, co-owners and founders of Trendy Teachers, a teaching boutique and educational toy store located in downtown Rome, Georgia.
This holiday season, rally your communities around the small businesses that help make your downtown thrive.
Small Business Saturday is Nov. 25! Check out these five strategies to celebrate shopping small.
Middlesboro Main Street in Middlesboro, Ky., Puerto Rican Cultural Center in Chicago, Ill., and Sugar Creek Business Association in Charlotte, N.C., have each been awarded $100,000 through The Hartford Small Business Accelerator Grant Program in partnership with Main Street America.
Matt sat down with Anette Soto Landeros, co-owner of Casa Azul Coffee and President and CEO of the Fort Worth Hispanic Chamber of Commerce in Fort Worth, Texas.
Matt Wagner sat down with Danny Reynolds, president and owner of Stephenson's, an independently owned high-end fashion retailer in downtown Elkhart, Indiana.
Matt Wagner sat down with Harvey Williams, Co-Founder and CEO of Delta Dirt Distillery in Helena, Arkansas.
Learn how the Little Santo Domingo neighborhood of Miami is working with the Truist Foundation to strengthen pathways to small business ownership.
© Allapattah CDC
Get ready to support your small business owners and encourage people to shop small this November!
Matt Wagner sat down with the CEO of Keith McDonald Plumbing in Milledgeville, Ga., Lindsay Goodson McDonald.
Learn how the South Carolina Coordinator Program is uplifting small businesses across the state with their dedicated e-commerce platform.
© Main Street South Carolina
Matt Wagner sat down with The Barbershop Conversation podcast team, co-hosts Kenneth Bentley and Davion Hampton along with executive producer Emory Green Jr., in Goldsboro, Florida.
From a cat cafe to a computer repair shop and museum, check out these innovative small businesses from across the Main Street network.
© Historic Valley Junction
This three-week live, online course will prepare local leaders to more effectively work with small business owners in their districts and create an environment that is supportive of entrepreneurship.
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Main Street America has a podcast! Tune into Main Street Business Insights to hear from small business leaders across the country.
Meet the 2023 recipients for the Backing Small Businesses grant program, presented by American Express, to provide financial support to small business owners to address critical needs and make a positive impact in their local communities.
In partnership with Grow with Google, our digital coaches will work with businesses in their home states, with a focus on those that operate in small towns and rural communities.
Congratulations to these innovative Shop Small events from across the Main Street network.
Stockbridge, GA © Stockbridge Main Street
Spencer Main Street's Main Street Micro Grants is injecting key funding into their small business ecosystem.
Spencer, IA © Spencer Main Street
Check out a deep dive into the results of our Spring 2023 Small Business Survey, plus insights to help inform the work of local leaders supporting entrepreneurs on Main Street.
Meet the communities who have been chosen to receive entrepreneurial support from Main Street America and the Kauffman Foundation.
We spoke to Debbie Ho, Executive Director at Chinatown Main Street, to learn about the history of women in Boston Chinatown.
Boston, MA © Kyle Klein
From program budgets to big achievements, here's the latest data on the Main Street Movement in 2023.
Franklin, TN © Brandon Jean
Learn how Downtown Inc and York County Economic Alliance are supporting marginalized small business owners in their community
York, PA © Sully Pinos
Meet Backing Small Businesses grantees Kim and Chris Casteel of Anew Life Prosthetics and Orthotics based in Detroit, Michigan.
Short stories about small business owners from Evart, Michigan.
Evart, MI © Storyville
Matt Wagner looks back at his small business predictions for 2022 and shares predictions for 2023.
Learn about the City of Boston’s efforts to invest in economic equity.
Learn how this West Virginia community redirected façade improvement funds to revive local commercial kitchens.
Matt Wagner wrote an article for the OECD blog on how can small business owners can combine digital tools with the power of place to find sustainable success.
Inspired by a session at the 2022 Main Street Now Conference, Main Street Ottumwa has launched the Business Builder Academy, an entrepreneurship course to help aspiring business owners start their ventures.
Ottumwa, IA © Main Street Ottumwa
Whether you are a seasoned American Express Small Business Saturday Neighborhood Champion or an entrepreneur joining this national movement for the first time, we’ve gathered a roundup of resources to support your “shop local” marketing efforts.
We spoke to three women who were awarded Inclusive Backing grants to learn more about their passions, their businesses, and their advice for other women.
Wixom, MI © Carissa Serylo
From social media scavenger hunts to downtown passports, the Main Street network has used countless innovative ways to encourage their communities to Shop Small®—and had plenty of fun doing it.
Oceanside, CA © Road West Photography
Main Street Franklin is leading the way in showing how women business owners can be a powerful force for change in their communities.
#EquityRising, Old Algiers Main Street Corporation's new job training program, seeks to combat rising cost of living by helping residents train for careers that will allow them to stay in their neighborhood.
Learn how the Small Business Census pilot project explored the demographics of the small businesses that call Main Street districts home.
Colville, WA © Colville Together
We spoke to three Black business owners who were awarded Backing Small Businesses grants from Main Street America and American Express to better understand their challenges, successes, and the kinds of support that have helped them the most.
Camden, AR © Kimberly Moore Davis
Main Street leaders and local development practitioners from around the world participated in this exciting webinar hosted by the OECD.
Learn how Silver City MainStreet is using Story Hours to connect local business owners with the community.
Silver City, NM © Silver City MainStreet
Main Street Skowhegan opened their new Skowhegan Center for Entrepreneurship, a downtown space for co-working, meeting, entrepreneurial support, trainings, and education.
Skowhegan, ME © Kristina Cannon
Main Street America is proud to support the Revitalizing Small and Local Businesses Act
Main Street America's research team shares the results of the 2022 Small Business Survey.
© JENNIFER E. WOLF
Learn about Show of Hands, an entrepreneurial program in multiple Main Street communities.
Wheeling, WV © Wheeling Heritage
Chief Program Officer Matt Wagner, Ph.D., shares his predictions for the trends affecting small businesses in 2022.
Is your Main Street ready for the biggest small business shopping day of the year?
Main Street Charles City organizes their annual 'WonderFall' event, a business decorating contest designed to have some fun with the autumnal season as well as provide a reminder of the importance of curb appeal in attracting the public’s attention.
Charles City, IA © Mark Wicks
Leverage NC, a partnership between North Carolina Main Street and the North Carolina League of Municipalities, hosted a four-part webinar series titled Better Community Planning & Economic Development led by Ed McMahon, Chair Emeritus of Main Street America and a leading national authority on land use policy and economic development.
Main Street Arkansas has brewed a new engaging way for tourists and residents alike to explore local Arkansas commercial districts: the Main Street Arkansas Coffee Trail.
Little Rock, AR © Main Street Arkansas
Matt Wagner explores how Main Streets can navigate workforce concerns in the post-pandemic economy.
Heart of Biddeford shares the strategies they developed to support Black-owned businesses in their community.
Biddeford, ME © Heart of Biddeford
Appealing to mobility-challenged shoppers yields benefits beyond the store.
Being the only person in the know can be fun, exhilarating even. Except when you are the one person out of 600+ in a room and you know bad news is coming.
Fritz the dog has made his way into the hearts of the residents of LaBelle, Florida, and helped our Main Street Community find a way to make what we do more noticeable.
Altavista On Track, the local Main Street organization, is working to cultivate and sustain local entrepreneurs with an educational business launch competition, Pop-Up Altavista 2.0.
In Winchester, Virginia, one woman’s vision and commitment to downtown’s revitalization created an innovative community space for the Creative Class.
A business retention and expansion plan, properly implemented, not only helps keep businesses open but possibly even helps them expand.
The first rule of conducting business is “make it simple.” The easier it is to pay for merchandise, get entertainment or obtain a service, the more likely it is that people will take advantage of those options.
Main Street communities across the country are no stranger to seeking creative strategies to solve their most nagging issues – vacant buildings, marketing downtown, bolstering retail to name a few.
To understand the role that immigrant business owners play in Boston’s small business ecosystem, you need only to walk through any Boston Main Streets district.
Façade appearance is a critical aspect of the overall aesthetic appeal and unique character of downtown.
A lot of signs are necessary to make a downtown work well, but not every community knows what a good sign system looks like, or how instrumental it can be to the creation of a successful downtown.
Main Street Iowa, a program of the Iowa Economic Development Authority’s Iowa Downtown Resource Center, created a one-of-a-kind three-year program to provide help for performance venues located in Main Street districts.
