The board of directors recently selected Stephanie Wilkinson to serve as the executive director of the Main Street Lexington. As an entrepreneur, co-owner of a downtown Lexington business and community leader who helped spearhead the creation of Main Street Lexington, Wilkinson brings a wealth of experience to this critical role.
Wilkinson’s business experience, vision, strong leadership and demonstrated commitment to the vibrancy of downtown Lexington, as well as her natural abilities to cultivate collaborative partnerships throughout the downtown stakeholder community, were key factors in her selection for this role.
She is co-founder and co-owner of the Red Hen Restaurant and was the co-founder and publisher of Brain Child magazine, which she sold in 2012. Wilkinson has extensive experience with local nonprofit organizations, including service as board president for the Montessori Center for Children, board treasurer and president for the Rockbridge Regional Library and board president for Main Street Lexington.
Downtown Lexington is one of my favorite places in the world. I feel fortunate every day to be living here. I also think we are on the cusp of great things. There is a new vitality downtown, new investment and a lot of energy.” — Stephanie Wilkinson, Executive Director, Main Street Lexington
Main Street Lexington is a volunteer-based 501(c)(3) organization established in 2013 to preserve, sustain, enhance and promote beautiful Downtown Lexington, Virginia. As an affiliate member of the Virginia Main Street Program, Main Street Lexington uses a proven Four Point Approach to achieve economic revitalization in the context of historic preservation.
Among many other accomplishments during its first year, Main Street Lexington has filled empty storefronts with local artwork, created a Merchant’s Forum to engage local business owners in the exchange of ideas to promote downtown businesses, partnered with the local Chamber of Commerce to provide a series of business-improvement seminars to help downtown retailers stay strong and relevant in a changing environment, sponsored numerous downtown community-building events, launched a downtown clean-up day, revamped the downtown Gift Certificate Program, raised nearly $40,000 through donations, peanut sales and other fundraisers, and they been awarded 501(c)(3) status by the IRS.
virginiamainstreet.com 