Main Street South Carolina has recognized Julie Herlong of Sumter with the Main Street South Carolina Master Merchant Award.
The award recognizes excellence in the retail field and is awarded to a merchant who is innovative and committed to downtown revitalization and exemplifies creativity and success in merchandising, inventory, display and value-added retailing and services.
Offering a full bridal registry as well as jewelry, home goods and specialty foods, the gift shop Naomi and Warner had been a fixture in downtown Sumter for more than 60 years when Julie Herlong purchased it in 2013. Soon afterward, Herlong bought and restored a downtown building and moved the legacy business into it. The building now also houses Ages Antiques as well as a kitchen and dining area for Brubakers Café & Bakery, as well as an art studio.
Herlong is a longtime member of Sumter’s downtown revitalization board and historic preservation design review committee. She has also served on Downtown Sumter’s promotion committee. Every year, she participates in some of Downtown Sumter’s largest fundraising events, including the Sip and Stroll and Microbrew Festival. She has also sold food and drinks during the Fourth Fridays Concert Series.
“Julie is the perfect example of a downtown champion who not only owns a business, but helps other businesses to thrive as well,” said Jenny Boulware, Main Street SC manager.
Main Street SC is a program of the Municipal Association of South Carolina. It empowers residents, business owners and local officials with the knowledge, skills, tools and organizational structure necessary to revitalize their downtowns and neighborhood commercial districts into vibrant centers of commerce and community.
Main Street SC follows the National Main Street’s Four Point Approach — economic vitality, design, promotion and organization. Each year, Main Street South Carolina recognizes members’ achievements and successes in downtown revitalization. For more information, visit the Municipal Association’s website at www.masc.sc (keyword: Main Street).
###