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Dr. Matthew and Michelle Kramer were recognized as 2023 Main Street Champions at the 2024 North Carolina Main Street Center's Conference in Downtown Goldsboro recently.
The Kramers purchased the 118-120 West Main Street building, completed extensive rehab, and it is now home to Dr. Kramer's medical practice, Main Street Family Medicine and The Fox Tribe Boutique. Michelle has served as board member with Explore Forest City.
The Kramers represented the Town of Forest City and were the only 2023 Main Street Champions in Rutherford County.
"Receiving recognition like "Main Street Champions" is truly humbling," Michelle said. "Working with the everyone in Forest City has been a labor of love, and we are grateful to have had the opportunity to contribute to Main Street's success."
"Everyone in downtown Forest City has worked so hard to enhance the vibrancy and appeal of our town, creating a more welcoming and thriving environment for residents and visitors alike. We just love participating in all the seasonal events, buying gifts and apparel from friends, eating relaxing meals with family, and taking long evening walks to appreciate the gorgeous landscaping. This is an amazing place to live, work and serve," Michelle continued.
The couple believes in the power of community and the impact that positive initiatives can have on the collective well-being.
"We want to express our gratitude to everyone who has been a part of this journey. You all are what makes Main Street Forest City so wonderful," Michelle added.
After years of military life, the couple decided to set down roots and raise their girls.
In 2017, they moved back to Michelle's hometown of Forest City and decided to open Dr. Matthew's medicine practice on historic Main Street. After purchasing a building for the new medical practice, they quickly realized that it needed more than just a little tender loving care, said Amy Bridges, in her nomination of the Kramers.
Their nomination for the honor read: "They gutted the building, rebuilt it, and turned it into two separate storefronts.
The Kramers also call Main Street home, having purchased a historic house just a few blocks away from the medical practice. They are strong supporters of Explore Forest City with Michelle having served on the board.
We are delighted that the Kramer's chose to come home to Forest City."
Forty Main Street Champions were honored for their contributions to downtown revitalization and community building in 2023 during a recognition ceremony held recently in Goldsboro. With the addition of this year's honorees, 415 Main Street Champions have now been recognized by the N.C. Department of Commerce since 2000.
"Main Street Champions are invaluable assets to their communities," said N.C. Department of Commerce Secretary Machelle Baker Sanders. "Whether through advancing local economic opportunities or creating beautiful public spaces, our Champions are deeply committed to the betterment of their world."
"Successful economic development depends on community development- and that begins with the people that call North Carolina home," said Kenny Flowers, Assistant Secretary of Rural Economic Development at the N.C. Department of Commerce. "Main Street Champions embody that connection, channeling their love for their community into strategic economic partnerships and initiatives, and ultimately creating healthier downtown districts."
"We are so pleased to recognize the people that are making a difference in Main Street communities," said Liz Parham, Director of the N.C. Main Street & Rural Planning Center. "Main Street Champions come from all walks of life, but they share common traits. They roll up their sleeves, invest time and money in their communities, and lead by example."
