Marion, Iowa © Tasha Sams
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Emporia, Kansas © Emporia Main Street
Made up of small towns, mid-sized communities, and urban commercial districts, the thousands of organizations, individuals, volunteers, and local leaders that make up Main Street America™ represent the broad diversity that makes this country so unique.
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Waterloo, Iowa © Main Street Waterloo
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Kendall Whittier — Tulsa, Oklahoma © Kendall Whittier Main Street
Join us in our work to advance shared prosperity, create strong economies, and improve quality of life in downtowns and neighborhood commercial districts.
What trends will shape Main Street businesses in 2026? And how can you prepare now?
In this annual predictions episode, host Matt Wagner analyzes the intersection of society, technology, and economic trends to forecast what’s ahead for small businesses and Main Streets. Drawing from consumer data, industry reports, and Main Street America’s latest research, Matt identifies eight key trends that will impact everything from retail strategies to food and beverage concepts to financing models.
Before looking ahead, Matt reviews his 2025 predictions — scoring a win on retail growth projections (flat to stagnant when adjusted for inflation), a loss on GLP‑1 drug impacts (a year too early), and a draw on AI adoption by nonprofits (usage is there, but not in the predicted areas).
Here are the eight predictions for 2026:
Bonus Prediction: 2026 is the Year of Small Business! Our yet-to-be-released 2026 Directors’ Survey shows “supporting businesses and entrepreneurs” as the #1 programming priority, and small business programming had the greatest community impact. With new resources including the Small Business Hub, Made Originals, grant programs, and the Hartford Small Business Accelerator, Main Street programs will cement their support for the small business sector.
Whether you’re a Main Street director planning 2026 programming, a business owner adapting your strategy, or an entrepreneur considering launch, these predictions provide a roadmap for navigating the year ahead.
Note: At the end of February, we’ll pause new episodes of the podcast as we shift focus to the Small Business Hub and Made Originals programming. Explore our extensive back catalog here for insights on succession planning, disaster recovery, scaling businesses, and more.
Connect:
Learn about Made Originals
Join MSA’s Small Biz Hub
Episode Links:
About the Main Street Business Insights Podcast
Each week, join host Matt Wagner, Ph.D., as he travels the country and takes a deep dive into the personal journeys of downtown and neighborhood entrepreneurs. The stories that far too often go unheard. Learn about the innovative ways that these Main Street businesses have overcome adversity, whether it’s starting a new enterprise or keeping a multi-generation business alive, and the advice they have for others on how to keep their businesses on track. Main Street Business Insights is powered by Main Street America.
Whether you're a small-scale producer considering expansion, a Main Street director supporting makers and manufacturers, or a business owner wondering how to compete with mass market, this conversation offers practical insights on building a manufacturing business without leaving downtown.
In this special roundtable episode, host Matt Wagner sits down with community leaders from Spruce Pine, North Carolina, one year after Hurricane Helene devastated their downtown.
In this episode, host Matt Wagner sits down with Angela Mallett, founder of Honeybee Sage Wellness & Apothecary in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. In their conversation, Angela shares her intentional approach to growth, one that prioritizes community care and cultural healing over rapid expansion.
In this data-driven conversation, host Matt Wagner sits down with Mike Powe, Senior Director of Research at Main Street America, to break down findings from their Fall 2025 Small Business Survey
In this episode, host Matt Wagner discusses the 2025 holiday trends for small businesses, focusing on consumer spending forecasts, inventory management, and the impact of economic factors like tariffs.
Nine lessons from the Equitable Entrepreneurial Ecosystems (E3) Initiative.
In this beginner-friendly webinar, discover how your small business can use artificial intelligence to simplify everyday tasks, save time, and grow more efficiently.
Struggling to describe your business in a way that clicks with customers? This free, on-demand training will help small business owners write compelling descriptions and utilize AI to refine their messaging.
Produced in partnership with Virginia Retail Alliance, the 2024 Retail Matters research report features the economic, consumer, and technology trends impacting a wide spectrum of entrepreneurs and small business owners.
The 2025 Retail Matters research report, developed in partnership with the Virginia Retail Alliance, explores the top retail trends for 2025 impacting entrepreneurs, small business owners, and the broader retail landscape.
In this special episode of Main Street Business Insights, recorded in front of a live audience during the Main Street Now Conference, Matt sat down with Alycia Levels-Moore, owner and founder of ASL Creative Firm and POLARIS, an event and co-working hub, based in Birmingham, Alabama.
Join host Matt Wagner for his conversation with Rachael Kehler, owner of The Peppermint Stick Candy Store in Boyertown, Pennsylvania. In this episode, Matt and Rachael discuss her journey to entrepreneurship, leveraging nostalgia as a marketing tool, small town tourism, and more.
When investors and banks say "no," how do you prove your business concept can work? This episode explores a strategic approach to launching a business that up-and-coming entrepreneurs could consider: launching a beta facility to prove market viability before scaling.
How do you successfully transition a business across five generations without creating resentment or burning out the next generation? This episode tackles the complex realities of family business succession planning through the story of Tiger's General Store in Hayesville, North Carolina.
Join host Matt Wagner as he welcomes Kaycee McCoy, co-owner and creative lead at Pawsnickety Pets in Norfolks, Virginia.
Join host Matt Wagner for his conversation with Patrick Jackowski and Matt Horne, the duo behind Firehouse Coffee 1881, a thriving coffee shop housed in a firehouse in historic Fort Monroe, a decommissioned military compound located in Hampton, Virginia.
This week on Main Street Business Insights, join host Matt Wagner for his conversation with Mallory Dabney, owner of Heyday, a home goods store in Bozeman, Montana.
In this episode, host Matt Wagner sits down with Dale Sexton, owner of the legendary Dan Bailey's Outdoor Co. in Livingston, Montana.
In this episode, Matt and James explore the unique journey of starting a business during the pandemic, the challenges of running a small-town café, and the importance of community connection.
In this episode, host Matt Wagner sits down with Dottie Lange and Dottie McQuade of The Monogram Shoppe in Woodbury, New Jersey to discuss the process and considerations that come with selling a small business.
In this episode, host Matt Wagner visits San Germán, Puerto Rico for a discussion with Roberto Melendez, owner of local restaurant, Pórticos 1606. Their conversation explores natural disaster preparedness and the resiliency required to guide a business through unforeseen global events.
In this episode, host Matt Wagner discusses the current economic challenges facing small businesses and offers strategies and innovative pivots to better navigate these turbulent headwinds.
In this episode, host Matt Wagner is joined by Michael Powe, Senior Director of Research at Main Street America, to discuss the findings from Main Street America's recent Spring 2025 Small Business Profiles Survey.
In this episode of the Main Street Business Insights podcast, host Matt Wagner speaks with Kirsten Gjesdal, a small business owner and community leader in Brookings, South Dakota.
In this episode of the Main Street Business Insights podcast, host Matt Wagner speaks with Rachel Latimer, Owner and Scent Specialist of DANE Fragrance in Ukiah, California.
Join host Matt Wagner for his conversation with Daphne Labault, owner of Plena Mercancía in Chicago, Illinois.
In this episode, recorded in front of a live audience at the Maine Downtown Conference in November 2024 in Biddeford, Maine, host Matt Wagner explores the world of crowdfunding as a financing alternative for small businesses.
In this episode, Matt Wagner breaks down seven key predictions that will impact Main Street businesses and entrepreneurs in 2025.
In this episode, host Matt Wagner provides practical guidance for small business owners facing the challenges of new and potential international tariffs.
In this episode, host Matt Wagner sits down with husband-and-wife duo, Phoebe and Jonathan Carpenter Eells, co-owners of elSage Designs in Mount Vernon, Washington.
In this episode of Main Street Business Insights, Matt talks with Joshua and Jared Ravenscraft, co-founders of New Frontier, a sustainable apparel brand in Morehead, Kentucky.
In this episode of Main Street Business Insights, Matt sat down with Kristin Smith, owner and founder of The Wrigley Appalachian Eatery in Corbin, Kentucky.
In this episode of Main Street Business Insights, Matt sat down with Mindy Bergstrom, owner of Cooks Emporium, Nook & Nest, Z.W. Mercantile, and The Recipe, all located in downtown Ames, Iowa.
In this episode of Main Street Business Insights, Matt interviews Patrice Hull, the owner of Stuff We Wanna Say Custom T-Shirts and Apparel and c2bn / Created to be Noticed, based in Atlanta, Georgia.
Join host Matt Wagner as he welcomes David West, director of Premier Retail Marketing and based in Adelaide, South Australia.
In this episode, Matt reveals the data-driven trends that define the holiday shopping season — and shows you exactly how to leverage them for your small business.
In this episode, Matt chats with Tee Rowe, the President and CEO of America’s Small Business Development Centers (ASBDC). The centers offer training, advice, and resources to help small business owners thrive in their communities.
In this episode of Main Street Business Insights, Matt talks with Mileyka Burgos-Flores, executive director of the Allapattah Collaborative CDC in Miami, Florida, the only designated Main Street community in Miami. Mileyka is this year’s recipient of the prestigious Mary Means Leadership Award.
In this episode of Main Street Business Insights, Matt sits down with Nicole Fleetwood and McKinzie Hodges, co-owners of Scratch Made Bakery in Amarillo, Texas.
With articles written by industry experts on topics ranging from the future of retail to Main Street advocacy, the publication is brimming with tools, tips, and strategies that will help you lead a results-oriented revitalization effort.
In this conversation, Matt explores the story of Elements: Books Coffee Beer, nestled in the heart of Biddeford, Maine, with co-owners Katie Pinard and Michael Macomber.
In this episode of Main Street Business Insights, Matt talks with Ebenezer Akakpo, a designer and jeweler who owns Akakpo Design Group and Maine Culture in Westbrook, Maine.
In this episode of Main Street Business Insights, Matt chats with Ross Chanowski, owner and founder of NuMarket. NuMarket is a leader in crowdfunding solutions for small businesses with a focus on food services.
In this episode, tune in as host Matt Wagner breaks down how to understand and synthesize local market data.
In this episode of Main Street Business Insights, Matt sits down with Glen Ellis, owner of Sycamore Education, Dominion Catalyst Services, and Milady Coffeehouse in Fremont, Nebraska.
In this episode of Main Street Business Insights, Matt sits down with Jaime Courtney, President of Shoalwater Seafood, Derek King, Oyster Farm Director of Shoalwater Seafood, and Shane Thomas, Tribal Council Vice Chair of the Shoalwater Bay Indian Tribe.
In this episode of Main Street Business Insights, Matt sits down with Casey Woods, Executive Director of Emporia Main Street in Emporia, Kansas.
In this episode of Main Street Business Insights, Matt sits down with Tiffany Fixter, owner of Brewability in Englewood, Colorado.
In this episode of Main Street Business Insights, Matt sits down with Bobby Boone, founder and Chief Strategist of &Access
In this episode of Main Street Business Insights, Matt sits down with Jennifer Jones, co-owner of Good Times Coal Fired Pizza and Pub in Big Stone Gap, Virginia.
In this episode of Main Street Business Insights, Matt sits down with Janet Hurn, owner of Future Ready Consulting in Cincinatti, Ohio.
Cincinnati, Ohio © Janet Hurn
In this episode of Main Street Business Insights, Matt sits down with Derrick Braziel, owner of Pata Rojas Taqueria and co-founder of MORTAR, in Cincinatti, Ohio.
In our first episode of the season, you’ll hear from host Matt Wagner about his predictions for the small business landscape in 2024.
Learn how customers can find accurate, updated information about your local business online.
Learn best practices and analyze trends about how customers engage with your business online, then turn these insights into well-informed, actionable decisions.
This webinar will guide you through the basics of branding for your small business. Learn how to define your brand, build awareness, and maintain consistency across all touch-points.
Seeking to elevate your marketing materials but not quite ready to hire a designer? In this webinar, learn how to navigate Canva, an easy-to-use design tool that makes branding your business simple!
Take the stress out of social media for your business? In this webinar, discover how to create a content plan that works. Learn how to confidently go live on Facebook and YouTube to engage your customers and highlight your expertise.
This workshop covers how to use Google Calendar and Gmail to share important dates, reminders, and events with others.
This webinar explores how retailers can leverage powerful digital tools to expand their online reach and boost sales.
Learn how to enhance your productivity and professional presence as a small business owner.
Whether you're a beginner or looking to improve your existing photography skills, this webinar will provide you with valuable insights and practical advice.
As part of Main Street America's Small Biz Digital Trainers series, this workshop offers guidance for improving your cybersecurity tactics as a small business owner.
As part of Main Street America's Small Biz Digital Trainers series, this workshop gives you tips for becoming a more effective leader as a small business owner.
Discover the basics of how to create an engaging virtual tour that showcases your physical store and connects with customers online. In this webinar, you’ll learn ways to plan, shoot, and promote a virtual tour that enhances your online presence and drives foot traffic.
As part of our Small Biz Digital Trainer series, in this webinar you'll learn how to promote your products online using Google tools. We’ll show how local brick-and-mortar businesses can list products on a Google Business Profile.
Discover how to create a search-friendly website that drives user action and supports their goals. Whether you're launching a brand new website or looking to revitalize an existing one, this workshop will provide you with valuable insights.
As part of Main Street America’s Small Biz Digital Trainers series, this workshop walks you through the basic information you need to set-up and optimize your Google Calendar to maximize efficiency at your small business.
A strong online presence is essential for any small business in today’s digital age. This workshop will guide you through the process of keeping your Google Business Profile, social media accounts, and website up-to-date and optimized.
Whether you are a solopreneur or lead a small team, this one-hour workshop will provide you with valuable strategies to foster innovation, resilience, and growth in your business.
Learn how to improve your small business using data and analytics.
Learn how to optimize your website using Google tools.
Learn how to get your business listed on Google search and maps.
Whether you're just starting out or you're looking to take your business to the next level, you'll learn valuable insights that you can use to grow your business in this Small Biz Digital Trainers webinar.
In this Small Biz Digital Trainers webinar, learn tools to increase your holiday sales for free, even if you don’t have an e-commerce website or a website at all.
In this Small Biz Digital Trainers webinar, you'll learn to use AI to simplify your work, develop your messaging and voice, create buyer personas, and more.
Learn about small business owners who are succeeding along Main Street, and the advice they have for others doing the same.
© Ketut Subiyanto
In this episode, you'll hear from small business owners from our first season who make connecting with their community a top priority.
Learn how local entrepreneurs have leveraged the power of a Main Street community to establish, maintain, and grow their ventures.
In this episode of Main Street Business Insights, Matt sits down with Jamie and Jerry Baker, co-owners and founders of Trendy Teachers, a teaching boutique and educational toy store located in downtown Rome, Georgia.
In this episode of Main Street Business Insights, Matt sits down with Anette Soto Landeros, co-owner of Casa Azul Coffee and President and CEO of the Fort Worth Hispanic Chamber of Commerce in Fort Worth, Texas.
In this episode of Main Street Business Insights, Matt sits down with Danny Reynolds, owner and president of Stephenson’s of Elkhart, an independently owned high-end fashion retailer in downtown Elkhart, Indiana.
In this episode, Matt sits down with Harvey Williams, Co-Founder and CEO of Delta Dirt Distillery in Helena, Arkansas. Delta Dirt Distillery is the only Black-owned farm-to-bottled distillery in the United States.
In this episode of the Main Street Business Insights podcast host Matt Wagner sat down with the CEO of Keith McDonald Plumbing in Milledgeville, Ga., Lindsay Goodson McDonald.
In this week’s episode of Main Street Business Insights, host Matt Wagner sat down with the CEO of Hollerbach’s German Restaurant in Sanford, Fla., Christina Hollerbach.
In this episode of Main Street Business Insights, host Matt Wagner sat down with The Barbershop Conversation podcast team, co-hosts Kenneth Bentley and Davion Hampton along with executive producer Emory Green Jr., in Goldsboro, Florida.
In this week’s episode of Main Street Business Insights, host Matt Wagner sits down with mother-daughter duo, Martha Moore and Ashley Owens, co-owners and founders of the custom drapery business Martha & Ash in downtown Camden, South Carolina.
In this episode of Main Street Business Insights, host Matt Wagner sat down with the founder and CEO of 37 Oaks, Terrand Smith. Located in Chicago, Illinois, 37 Oaks is a commerce development and learning laboratory for entrepreneurs.
In the inaugural episode of Main Street Business Insights, host Matt Wagner sat down with the co-founder and CEO of Maine Grains, Amber Lambke. Located in downtown Skowhegan, Maine,
This training from Indiana Main Street explains the best practices for getting to know your downtown business owners and getting them engaged in the Main Street organization.
Use this self-guided training to understand how to build a robust environment to support small business creation and sustainability.
Learn how to connect entrepreneurs of color with resources, grants, and loans to support sustainable economic growth.
A sample entrepreneurial ecosystem development plan to support small business creation and sustainability. Published by Skowhegan Main Street.
Sjowhegan, ME
Watch this webinar to learn techniques and strategies to support minority entrepreneurs and create a diverse small business ecosystem.
In this AARP guide, learn how important small businesses are for vibrant and sustainable commercial districts.
This webinar provides a roadmap on how to adapt to the evolving retail landscape to build strong entrepreneurial ecosystems for small business owners.
Explore research on how businesses can adapt to the evolving retail landscape using place-based and community-driven stratgies.
Atlanta, GA © Blulz60
This 2020 report provides an overview of the landscape of small businesses, start-ups, and new entrepreneurs in the United States. Published by Kauffman Foundation.
With articles written by industry experts on topics ranging from the transformative placemaking to inclusive entrepreneurship, the publication is brimming with tools, tips, and strategies that will help you lead a results-oriented revitalization effort.
A sample entrepreneurial action plan to provide support for local small business owners in Miami, Florida. Published by Allapattah Collaborative.
An article from State of Main exploring the impact of entrepreneurship and examining ways to create inclusion in the development of entrepreneurship ecosystems. Published in State of Main.
Metuchen, NJ © Isaac Kremer
A comprehensive guide to local small business support to encourage entrepreneurs and create a vibrant downtown commercial district.
There’s no doubt about it, the retail landscape is changing and getting more complex. Main Street has a unique competitive advantage and it’s up to local leaders and local business owners to understand how to tap into this opportunity.
Metuchen, NJ © Isaac Kremer
Independent makers and manufacturers are helping to fuel a renaissance in downtowns and commercial districts, harnessing renewed interest in locally produced materials and experiential shopping. Published in State of Main.
Learn the importance of the storefront design and tips on ways to increase the allure of every store’s exterior to grab the attention of potential customers. Published in Main Street Now Journal.
Two Mississippi Main Street communities explain how they collected data on the small business impact of downtown events.
Learn how a regional branding initiative, Arkansas DeltaMade, uncovered hidden entrepreneurial assets and fostered the creation of new businesses built around the distinctive character of the Arkansas Delta.
Siloam Springs, AR © Brandonrush
First there were “flash mobs.” Now there are cash mobs, the shop-local equivalent. At these events, 'mobs' of people visit a small business with the commitment to spend at least $20 each. Published in Main Street Now magazine. Written by Andrea L. Dono.
The importance of understanding multicultural design preferences as our business environment becomes increasingly diverse.
To reduce storefront vacancies, the Main Street program in Cambridge, Maryland, created the Holiday Pop-Up Project, which gave two entrepreneurs the chance to test out their retail concepts rent-free for two months.
Innovative entrepreneurs and alternative business models can open up businesses that fill a void in the community. Published in Main Street Now Journal.