Main Street Matters by Heart on Main Street

In this special episode of Main Street Matters by Heart on Main Street, host Patrick Keiser reflects on two years of Main Street Mondays, a journey that has taken him to 50 towns across the country and showcased the resilience, creativity, and community spirit of independent retailers.

From historic streets to modern downtowns, Patrick shares the insights he’s gained from visiting these communities, the challenges local businesses face, and the key ingredients that make a thriving Main Street. Discover how collaboration, accessibility, events, and community pride play crucial roles in the success of local retail.

🎧 Tune in to hear:
✅ The origins of Main Street Mondays and how it transformed Heart on Main Street
✅ Stories from the road—what makes some downtowns flourish while others struggle
✅ The power of local events, public art, and strategic partnerships in driving foot traffic
✅ Why supporting independent businesses goes beyond just "shopping local"

If you’re passionate about Main Street businesses, small-town charm, and the power of community-driven retail, this episode is for you!

🔗 Listen now & support independent retailers at heartonmainstreet.org
Purchase EVOLVE Tickets: https://resilient.rootedinretail.com/t?orid=28857&opid=67

Meet Kara Polyner! Kara is opening a new store in Ely, MN, called the Ely Mercantile. She has invited us into her store to get a first-hand account of what it's like to open a retail store. We will follow along month-by-month as Kara develops her concept and grows the Ely Mercantile into a staple of downtown Ely's life. This episode focuses on her background, the town of Ely, and the concept of her store.
YouTube Link to watch the interview: https://youtu.be/V8ayCyDFbJ4
Ely Mercantile: https://elymercantile.com/
Heart on Main Street: https://www.heartonmainstreet.org/
Friends of Main Street Network: https://www.heartonmainstreet.org/partnerships

Founder and CEO of Crystal Media Co. Crystal Vilkaitis joins Main Street Matters to talk about social media strategies that drive foot traffic to retail stores.

In this episode of Shop Talk, we talk with new retail owner Kara Polyner of the Ely Mercantile in Ely, MN, about what she is doing to establish her brand and what she is doing within her store and with the products that she carries to help create repeat customers for her store.
YouTube Link to watch the interview: https://youtu.be/B0vCgxx2rRY
Ely Mercantile: https://elymercantile.com/
Heart on Main Street: https://www.heartonmainstreet.org/

When disaster strikes, it doesn’t just damage buildings — it upends lives, disrupts communities, and tests the resilience of independent retailers. In this heartfelt episode of Main Street Matters, host Patrick Keiser travels to Western North Carolina to share the powerful stories of two retailers — J. Gabriel in Asheville and Willow Creek in Chimney Rock — who lost everything to natural disasters but found strength in their communities and support from the Heart on Main Street network.

You'll hear firsthand accounts of loss, rebuilding, and hope from the store owners themselves, as well as the inspiring generosity of Beth Lewis (Olde Thyme Marketplace) and Brad Rosenkampff (The Link Companies), whose efforts helped make these donations possible.

💬 In this episode:

• The emotional impact of losing a store to disaster
• Rebuilding with limited resources and support
• The role of community and donation-based recovery
• Behind-the-scenes of Heart on Main Street’s disaster relief work
• How you can help independent retailers recover and thrive

Whether you’re a small business owner, a retail advocate, or someone who believes in the power of local communities, this episode will remind you why Main Street matters — and how we all can make a difference.

🔗 Learn more and support the mission at heartonmainstreet.org
📲 Follow us on Instagram @heartonmainstreet

Keywords: disaster recovery, small business, main street, local retail, natural disaster relief, retail resilience, store owner stories, community giving, nonprofit support, podcast for retailers, Heart on Main Street, rebuilding after disaster