DENISON, TX -- Painted brick facades look like they were frozen in time along Main Street in Denison. The memory of the area is what encouraged Andrew Popplewell and his wife to take up shop there.
"There was something about Main Street that, when I was younger, I really liked and I wanted it to see better days," Popplewell said.
The idea of starting a small business is one he'd like others to share.
"I would encourage anyone who's ever thought about opening a business on Main Street to do it because the more energy and the more fresh ideas we have, the better this area's going to be," said Popplewell.
Local businesses are getting national attention. Many people favor supporting family stores rather than corporate chains.
"You get customer service and most of the time the businesses will know you, and get to know their customers, that way they can provide a better value for you," explains Donna Dow with the Main Street Denison program.
The idea of value goes beyond dollars and cents. Popplewell says it's not about being better than major chains, but there is something different.
"You are face to face on some level at a big box store, but here, we interact with the people and we remember their faces and names because they come through periodically," Popplewell said.
But vacant storefronts tell the other side of small business ownership. Texoma store owners are hoping that a friendly atmosphere will get the rent signs down and the open signs up.
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