Downtowns in small cities, what does this make you think of?

Please respond any response helps, stories, opinions, anything really.

Public Comments

1. My lingerie shop - which is located on Main Street in a small city.
2. Opie from Mayberry RFD
3. A tree lined street in Autumn, a small festival with apple butter in the kettle.
4. The uptown girls and country folk. Downtown Main Street, Any Town, USA the local diner and the blue haired gossipers.
5. Like small English villages.
6. Happy memories of child-hood; my grand-mother lived in just such a small "down town" city, Portsmouth, Va. Small victorian town with wonderful old homes. As a child, the five and dime stores, movie theaters and Dr. offices. Having lunch in F.W. Woolworths,penny candy and seeing a movie for $.25. They were wonderful times. Also, the wonderful old churches and the picnics; and everyone knew each other---no crime. You could leave your house un-locked ! Lovely cobblestone streets and walk ways. The Elizabeth river at the end of High St. and catching a ferry boat over to Norfolk---all such great memories!!
7. Times gone by. Back in the day..there was always a soda fountain, benches out front of the stores... life was slower paced and people more open and friendly.