The DSDC was proud to recognize Oak City Collection owners Jud Patterson and Suzanne Taylor as Smithfield’s 2019 Main Street Champion at the North Carolina Main Street Annual Awards Ceremony in New Bern on March 12, 2020.


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On Thursday, March 12, 2020, Oak City Collection owners Jud Patterson and Suzanne Taylor were honored as Smithfield’s 2019 Main Street Champion at the North Carolina Main Street Annual Awards Ceremony in New Bern. Patterson and Taylor were selected by the Downtown Smithfield Development Corporation for this special recognition in appreciation of their hard work and commitment to the success of Downtown Smithfield.  Along with Champions from 44 other communities, they received a certificate and medal commemorating this designation. 
 
“Vibrant downtown districts are important drivers of North Carolina’s economic prosperity,” said North Carolina Commerce Secretary Anthony M. Copeland.  “These honorees have shown great dedication to improving their communities and we’re proud to honor their diligence as Main Street Champions.”
 
“N.C. Commerce and the N.C. Main Street program began recognizing Main Street Champions in 2000.  We knew that the success of downtown economic development was due to the hardworking people behind the effort, and we wanted to take time annually to recognize those individuals that are making a difference in their communities,” said Liz Parham, Director of the N.C. Main Street & Rural Planning Center.  “Today, Main Street communities have a group of Main Street Champions that serve as a downtown thinktank and plan for future projects and initiatives.”
 
In recommending Mr. Patterson and Ms. Taylor for this honor, Downtown Smithfield Development Corporation Executive Director Sarah Edwards offered the following: 
 
“When Jud Patterson and Suzanne Taylor moved their business, Oak City Collection, from Downtown Raleigh to Downtown Smithfield in 2017 and set their opening day, we knew then that they would be Main Street Champions! Their first day in business was not only a Sunday on a holiday weekend, but it was also the day of our Independence Celebration, when there are hundreds of people in the street in front of their incredible store. They get “it”, are full of ideas, and are always the first to enthusiastically agree to participate in events and marketing opportunities. Within hours of attending a webinar on storefront design, Suzanne was making plans for façade improvements that were completed within weeks. Jud serves on the Downtown Smithfield Development Corporation Board and Promotions Committee.  We are proud to have Oak City Collection in Downtown Smithfield, and it is our privilege to recognize Jud Patterson and Suzanne Taylor as our North Carolina Main Street Champions! “
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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As a Main Street America Affiliate™, the Downtown Smithfield Development Corporation is part of a national network of more than 1,200 neighborhoods and communities that share both a commitment to creating high-quality places and to building stronger communities through preservation-based economic development.
 
  
 
 
  
Community ms vertical color logoSmithfield is a North Carolina Main Street community, designated by the N.C. Department of Commerce Main Street & Rural Planning Center. The Downtown Smithfield Development Corporation is charged with administering the program at the local level and building public-private partnerships to spur economic development that achieves measurable results such as investment, business growth, and job creation.