Downtown Dexter: Thriving, not just surviving

Drive through the downtown of just about any small town in the area and you will see it: Old buildings deteriorating, windows boarded, businesses closed, and little to no foot traffic. Large brick buildings as a hulking reminder of what used to be. Just about any area... except in Dexter.

Defying what appears to be a nationwide epidemic, the downtown business district of Dexter has new businesses and sports a variety of shops that cater to a variety of recreational shoppers.

Donna West, manager of Weber's Ben Franklin, has seen the good and the bad of being locate downtown; and she said she is excited about what is currently happening.

West has been working at Weber's Ben Franklin for 52 years and she can recall when things weren't as good as they are now.

"Weber's opened in 1909 and the business has had to change over the years," West explained. "You have to adjust and adapt to survive."

Originally a department store, Weber's Ben Franklin has found itself changing to survive different shopping trends that brought large corporate retailers and online shopping. The business now specializes in selling craft products and has one of the largest framing operations in the area today.

"Downtown used to be where everyone wanted to be on Saturday night," said Dexter Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Janet Coleman. "But over the years, other things came along and changed that."

Coleman recalls that it was only just a few years ago that downtown was struggling as buildings were emptying and businesses came and went.

"I would honestly have to say that everything started to turn around when The Metro Gallery opened," Coleman said.

Erin Brown owns The Metro Gallery and The Powder Room and Boutique. In February 2010, Brown opened took what had formerly been a video store and turned the empty building into a fine art gallery. One year later, Brian Crawford went across the street and opened The Loft. A specialty shop, The Loft also brought different items to the local consumer.

"We have customers that come down from near St. Louis and Illinois and even Tennessee, and they had no idea businesses like (The Loft and The Metro Gallery) were here," Crawford explained.

Crawford later opened The French Market next to The Loft; and the last year has seen an increase in foot traffic up and down Stoddard Street as people patronize the new businesses as well as those that have been in place for years.

"I've been saying for a while now that shopping has become more recreational," Coleman said. "And we have such a variety of nice stores like The Loft, The Metro Gallery, Weber's Ben Franklin, and The Bunny Patch."

While pleased with the now thriving downtown, Coleman said she hopes to see more businesses attracted to the area.

"I'm not pleased we have some vacant stores; but I look at it as a opportunity," Coleman explained. "The arrival of The Metro Gallery was so important because it brought something different than we had. And I am just so proud of what Erin and Brian have done with their businesses.

"The Downtown Group has been organized again and they're working to participate in the community; and they've got some new blood and enthusiasm."

Coleman went on to explain that the downtown district also three different restaurants which offer quite a selection on their menus.

"There's just so much traffic now," Crawford said. "People can literally park in downtown Dexter and spend a couple hours just shopping."

West said she looks forward to the continued success of the growing downtown and Brown shares her enthusiasm.

"I believe that with the support of our active Chamber of Commerce and this town with so many people who support us, we'll continue to see growth," Brown said.

The downtown businesses look forward to a busy autumn this year with events like the Stoddard County Fair, which starts September 16; the Homecoming celebration, race through downtown and the Car Cruise In, all on September 27; and Fall Fest on October 11.

"If variety is the spice of life, the we've got plenty in downtown Dexter," said, Coleman.