The description appears prominently in the city’s economic development materials, relocation guide and tourism website.
“Downtown is incredibly walkable,” said Economic Development Director Jenna Foster. “You can park once and get to restaurants, shops, services and public spaces without getting back in your car.”
Asked how many of those businesses remain open after 5 p.m., Foster said the city is “working on evening activation.”
The downtown district includes a courthouse square, several restaurants, boutiques, professional offices and a growing collection of storefronts city leaders describe as “full of potential.”
During weekday afternoons, sidewalks are active with shoppers, attorneys, county employees, retirees and people walking from lunch back to offices.
After 6 p.m., conditions become substantially more walkable due to the absence of nearly everyone.
“It’s very peaceful,” Foster said.
Officials say downtown’s compact layout remains one of its strongest assets.
Most destinations sit within a few blocks of one another.
The challenge, they acknowledge, is occasionally finding a destination that is open.
“We’ve got the bones,” said Downtown Development Manager Tyler Brooks. “Now we need the activity.”
The city has invested in wider sidewalks, crosswalk improvements, benches, planters and decorative lighting.
A recent streetscape project added curb extensions and shortened pedestrian crossings.
The improvements have reduced the amount of time required to walk between several closed storefronts.
“That’s still progress,” Brooks said.
City leaders have also emphasized mixed-use development as a way to bring more residents downtown.
Currently, the upper floors of several historic buildings remain vacant or are used for storage.
A consultant recently recommended converting those spaces into apartments.
Officials reacted enthusiastically.
“That’s exactly what we need,” Foster said.
The property owners were described as “considering it.”
One has been considering it since 2018.
Another reportedly stores Christmas decorations upstairs and is not prepared to make a decision.
The city’s downtown plan calls for more restaurants, entertainment, housing and events to extend activity beyond traditional business hours.
Local merchants broadly support the strategy.
Many would also like someone else to stay open first.
“We tried staying open until 8 on Thursdays,” said boutique owner Lauren Webb. “Nobody came because everything else closed at 5.”
A nearby shop owner said she would extend hours if more restaurants opened.
A restaurant owner said he would stay open later if more shops did.
Officials described the arrangement as “an emerging ecosystem.”
The city has attempted to break the cycle through special events.
Monthly street festivals have drawn strong crowds, especially during spring and fall.
For several hours, downtown becomes exactly the place officials describe in marketing materials.
“There are people walking everywhere,” Foster said. “Restaurants are full. Stores stay open. There’s music. It works.”
The events conclude at 9 p.m.
By 9:20, walkability returns to pre-event levels.
Residents say they appreciate downtown’s charm but would like more reasons to visit outside business hours.
“We come down for lunch,” said resident Mark Ellis. “But if it’s 7:30 on a Tuesday, we’re probably somewhere else.”
Ellis emphasized that he considers downtown very walkable.
“We just usually drive somewhere else first.”
Economic development officials say downtown Laurel Ridge is moving in the right direction.
A brewery is reportedly considering a vacant building near the square.
A developer has expressed interest in upper-floor housing.
And the city is exploring a downtown entertainment district.
None have been finalized.
Still, Foster remains optimistic.
“Walkability isn’t just about sidewalks,” she said. “It’s about creating reasons for people to move between places.”
She then looked down Main Street, where three pedestrians were visible.
“It’s 2:15. This is actually a pretty good time.”
At press time, Laurel Ridge officials were preparing a new downtown marketing campaign emphasizing that residents can “park once and explore everything downtown has to offer,” provided they arrive before approximately 4:37 p.m.
