Main Street Movers: The Best Time to Start a Legacy is Today
Logan Breer | August 21, 2026
We all know the saying, “the best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago, the second-best time is now.” This saying also applies to Main Street, but to simplify it, “The best time to start a legacy is today.” We saw this when determined and enthusiastic people with a strong sense of ownership that worked together to revitalize their community into a welcoming place to live, work, shop, and belong were recognized for their impact during the annual and legacy award ceremonies. This action becomes the seed that starts a legacy of momentum.
Meet some of the people, projects, and initiatives who received awards this year during the 2026 Missouri’s Premier Downtown Revitalization Conference.
Stanberry Main Street Market, Stanberry Main Street
The Stanberry Main Street Market received the Transformational Promotion Activity – Affiliate Tier Annual Award for building momentum in their community through events that go beyond a standard event and providing the foundation for opportunities and experiences that will continue to build excitement and anticipation in Stanberry, Missouri.
In 2025, Stanberry Main Street expanded their Main Street Market from a once-a-month event into a weekly cornerstone experience of downtown activity and community pride. By expanding their programming, Stanberry provides a reason for residents and visitors of all ages to visit Stanberry’s Main Street regularly. Every Summer Saturday in 2025 was packed with experiences that brought people back downtown, strengthened local businesses, and created a welcoming place to connect with themed weekends such as “Christmas in July” filled with family-friendly activities and a “Next Gen Vendor” opportunity.
Smiling faces and new businesses are sure to come to Stanberry’s Main Street and we are excited to see where they go from here.
The Elms, Downtown Excelsior Springs
The Elms Hotel and Spa is an example of a legacy already in bloom. They received the Outstanding Economic Impact Legacy Award for their investment in their historic landmark that continues to be a significant tourism and economic driver in Excelsior Springs and inspired the transformation of the entire downtown.
Since opening in the late 19th century, The Elms has completed two major transformative renovations that positively impacted Excelsior Springs through showing their dedication to their community, inspiring others to act, and attracting visitors. As a result, local entrepreneurs have opened businesses, reducing downtown vacancy to under 10%.
Growth, confidence, and opportunity follow when individuals and businesses prioritize collective wins that benefit everyone involved. The hotel’s blend of historic character, modern luxury, and high-end spa pair perfectly with the community’s local boutiques and restaurants and quaint atmosphere to be a longstanding place where people want to be.
MainStreet 53 High School Intern Storytelling Series, Historic Downtown Liberty
Historic Downtown Liberty (HLDI) received the Transformative Promotional Activity, Accredited Tier Annual Award for their MainStreet 53 High School Intern Storytelling Series that strengthened relationships with local businesses and attracted new visitors to downtown all while instilling Main Street values in the next generation.
HLDI worked with students from two local high schools to support downtown revitalization and provide hands-on opportunities for local youth outside the classroom. As a result, Abbi Mota crafted and published business spotlights through HLDI’s email, social media, and on their website that generated thousands of views for downtown businesses including, The Copper Canary and the Comfort Kitchen, Whitside Jewelers, Classy Chocolate, and Lemonality.
In a world flooded with content and AI slop, HLDI is setting the standard that for Main Street what is most effective and authentic comes from collaborating with people of all ages and personalities to creatively foster connections between businesses and consumers. We see a legacy of relationships forming in Liberty and are excited to see where it leads.
Green Street, Downtown Lee’s Summit Main Street
Green Street is another legacy in bloom. After 30 years, the dream for Downtown Lee’s Summit to have a farmers market was realized with Green Street. This monumental achievement was recognized with the Main Street Best in Show Legacy Award as this once-in-a-generation project is the culmination of a seed planted and watered diligently for 30 years and another seed that will be the foundation for future successes to come.
Green Street is a 2.76-acre farmers market, performance venue, and gathering place for residents and visitors. It is one of the most impressive farmers markets in Missouri along with a 9,650 sq.ft. lawn covered by an outdoor canopy, immersive children’s playground, and Saint Lukes’s Grove containing a plaza with artistically designed “wickets”, a giant whirligig art installation, and open seating areas.
Since opening in 2025, Green Street has been utilized by thousands of visitors at special events and casual meet ups. We are sure that this place will become a new legacy in and of itself in the years to come as people visit Downtown Lee’s Summit for a meal and end up staying the whole afternoon with all there is to do, eat, and shop.
These individuals are role models for how small actions incrementally build a legacy over time. You can read about more of the winners that we were not able to be featured in this article in our two press releases that highlight all 13 award winners. (Read more). You can also watch the legacy award video on our YouTube channel as well.
