Cartersville Main Street

The City of Cartersville, Georgia is proud to be one of the premiere Main Streets in the United States. Located just north of Atlanta, its rich history and active community participation make it a stunning example of what works for both city and community. Every season in Cartersville is reflected in the elaborate decorations, city improvement, and businesses who step forward to celebrate the seasons. At Christmastime this is especially evident. The Main Street area is transformed into a “Winter Wonderland”-- a snapshot in time to celebrate the holiday season with decorations and lights throughout.

Liz Hood, Executive Director of the Cartersville Main Street program, wanted an easy fundraiser the community could embrace that would offset the cost of decorating the downtown area. They had been using glass ornaments for their fundraiser, but found them too fragile and easily breakable in shipping. At the annual National Main Streets Conference, she happened across ChemArt’s booth in the exhibit hall, and “was amazed at the detail of the metal ornaments. To see them in person and hold the ornaments in my hand instantly assured me that this was the way to go with our existing program.”

Thus began what is scheduled to be a 20-year program of annual ornament development, celebrating a different historic building or local attraction each year. The ornaments are sold at the Downtown Development Authority’s office in the old train depot, at local area businesses, the welcome center, the Bartow History Museum, and at the attraction that is featured in that year’s ornament. It is promoted at speaking engagements to civic groups, and given away as door prizes. The local bank purchases each year’s ornament in bulk to give to their best customers. There is visibility around the holidays in newspaper ads, and is featured in the program’s October newsletter each year. The first ornaments each year are presented to the mayor and the county commissioner as a thank you for their support of the Main Street Program.

Hood tells the story of the year one of the city’s diners was featured as the subject of the ornament. She walked into the diner to ask the owner how many pieces he wanted to sell in the restaurant. He shrugged and said, “give me 50”. Hood needed him to place a larger order, so she suggested passing the ornament sample around to the patrons to have them assess whether they would buy the piece. By the time the ornament had been passed around the small establishment, the pre-sale order quantity had doubled. “There is just no substitute for holding the ornament in your hands,” comments Hood.

The city recently invested in 47 new streetlight poles, reminiscent of times gone by, to flank the Main Street. The monies from the ornament sales went to decorating the streetlights with wreaths and ribbons to create a “candy cane” effect all the way down Main Street at Christmas.
Another year the ornament featured an historic 1910’s era house used for special events, called Grand Oaks. The owner uses the ornament as a thank you gift for clients, and it is sold to guests attending holiday luncheons. It also makes a great gift for people holding their weddings at the site. “We say every year that this is the ‘prettiest ornament ever’ but I think this was really an attractive ornament.” The ornament featured a 3D look, with traditional green and red Christmas colors, making it a great holiday ornament.

Hood says she has referred ChemArt and the annual ornament program to other Main Streets throughout the country. “Of all the fundraisers we do each year, this one is the easiest and one of the most well-received by the community,” notes Hood. “The ChemArt staff is creative and seems to outdo themselves in finding ways to make each year’s ornament even better than the last.” She gave as an example the year the Art Deco-style Legion Theatre was the featured ornament. ChemArt artists checked with her on the building’s age, then enhanced the buildings Art Deco ornamentation to create a striking ornament. “Their expertise and experience in creating beautiful ornaments makes us eagerly anticipate what they will come up with each year to top the last year’s ornament,” she said. 

  Download a PDF of the Cartersville Main Street Customer Success Story