Our Story
In the 1980s, Havana began to reinvent its downtown. A pivotal turning point came in 1983 when an antiques dealer relocated to Main Street and attracted other antique and art shops into vacant historic buildings. Before long, the small town gained a reputation as an antiques and arts destination, drawing treasure-hunters and visitors from nearby Tallahassee and beyond. This grassroots revival restored many derelict storefronts and gave new life to the town’s core – a “heartwarming tale of a town reinventing itself and rising from the ashes,” as one account described it. The momentum, however, was not without setbacks; the late-2000s Great Recession brought progress to a halt and once again left downtown businesses struggling. By the mid-2010s, community leaders recognized the need for a more organized approach to sustain Havana’s downtown heritage and economic health.
Decades of Growth
In 2017, Havana took a major step by forming Havana Main Street, a local nonprofit organization dedicated to downtown revitalization. That year, the community earned official designation as a Florida Main Street community, joining the state’s historic preservation-based Main Street program. This designation – granted through the Florida Department of State’s Division of Historical Resources – recognized Havana’s commitment to preserving its historic downtown while spurring economic development. As a result, Havana Main Street also became part of the National Main Street America network of 1,200+ communities focused on vibrant, heritage-driven downtowns.
Local government partnered with the new Havana Main Street nonprofit to “ensure the lasting vibrancy of our historic downtown,” providing support and legitimacy to the initiative. The organization’s leadership included an executive director and a board of directors composed of passionate residents, such as President Terri Paul and others who had long been involved in earlier merchants’ associations. Backed by over a hundred volunteers, Havana Main Street set out to enrich quality of life, bolster local businesses and tourism, and celebrate the town’s unique heritage.
Community Initiatives and Revitalization Projects
With its Main Street designation, Havana launched a range of community projects and events that quickly began to transform downtown. The once-sleepy retail corridor evolved into a lively arts district, as local artists and entrepreneurs worked with Havana Main Street to infuse creativity into the town center. The organization affiliated with the Artists Helping Artists collective to open new galleries and public art displays, and it started a weekly farmers’ market along with monthly community bike rides to draw people downtown.
Annual traditions blossomed as well – Havana Main Street now hosts popular events like the Havana PumpkinFest fall festival and a festive WinterFest, along with art-centric gatherings such as the Painting in Shade plein air event and a yearly quilt show, all of which celebrate local culture and invite visitors into town. These initiatives have highlighted the charm of Havana’s historic buildings and the friendliness of its merchants, helping restore a sense of pride and vitality in the district.
A historic downtown building, the Old Havana State Bank (now the Slappey Building), was restored to serve as Havana Main Street’s office, visitor center, and community space. This 100-year-old landmark – once the town’s central bank – was renovated by Havana Main Street volunteers and local families to preserve its story and repurpose it for modern use. The restored brick structure now houses the Main Street program’s offices, a conference room, and rental spaces for local entrepreneurs, all while honoring the legacy of the Slappey family who ran the bank in the early 1900s. The project is a centerpiece of Havana’s downtown revitalization, turning a formerly abandoned building into a functional attraction. It stands as a tangible reminder of the town’s heritage and a symbol of the community’s commitment to historic preservation.
Lasting Impact on Havana
Over the past few years, Havana Main Street’s efforts have greatly impacted the town’s social and economic landscape. The program has spurred nearly $1 million in public and private reinvestment into the downtown district, accompanied by the opening of new businesses and the creation of new local jobs. Hundreds of volunteers have contributed thousands of hours to beautification projects, festivals, and daily operations – a testament to the community’s engagement. The Florida Secretary of State’s office took note in 2021, highlighting how Havana had transformed its formerly quiet downtown into a “vibrant and dynamic arts district” filled with unique shops, eateries, and cultural energy. Under the guidance of Havana Main Street’s leadership and partners, the historic small town has successfully preserved its Old Florida charm while fostering a fresh wave of activity and optimism. In doing so, Havana Main Street has not only safeguarded historic buildings and stories, but also created a bustling center of art, commerce, and community that continues to enrich the town’s identity and draw visitors to “Florida’s Friendliest Small Town”
