About Us

Our Mission

We work to ensure that downtown remains the heart and soul of Lewisburg.

We envision Downtown Lewisburg as the cultural and economic magnet for the region.

The Lewisburg Downtown Partnership leads the charge for Lewisburg to become and remain a vibrant, thriving downtown business community. In 1999 Market Street, Lewisburg, had 13 first-floor vacant businesses. The LDP was formed when the Borough of Lewisburg, Bucknell University, and the downtown business community began an effort to fill the vacancies, market downtown as a destination, and forge partnerships to encourage collaboration. In a small rural community like Lewisburg, where fewer people live in the county than in several city blocks, strong downtowns with enough foot traffic to support a shopping district are rare. Since 2004, downtown has enjoyed a 2% vacancy rate and the spirit of collaboration that formed the LDP has broadened and strengthened, resulting in Lewisburg’s burgeoning vibrancy. But there is a level of vibrancy that we have not seen yet downtown, and the current strategic plan sets a road map to get there.

The LDP will work in four pillar areas to achieve its vision:

1. Economic Development
2. Promotion
3. Historic Preservation
4. Design and Organization

Goals for 2014-2020

• Work with existing business owners in expanding their business or starting a new one that fills gaps in the marketplace
• Promote the value of buying local
• Build Entrepreneurship
• Drive promotion of downtown as a destination
• Work with partners to increase the number of arts events
• Strengthen the spirit of collaboration among downtown business owners
• Reinforce downtown’s brand through the use of green space, public art and beautification
• Work with partners to improve downtown parking, visibility, bike & pedestrian access
• Participate in efforts to envision Soldier’s Park as a waterfront park
• Work with partners to hold newcomers events annually

Ongoing LDP Initiatives

• Maintain lewisburgpa.com and the Facebook page, @downtownlewisburg
• Heart of Lewisburg Ice Festival and the Polar Bear Plunge
• Summer Craft Fair and town-wide Sidewalk Sales
• Fall Festival featuring the Woolly Worm Winter Weather Prognostication
• Sales event & promotional planning
• The Ambassador Program where LDP volunteers visit downtown businesses several times a year to share information and receive input
• Support for existing and new business prospects
• Partnerships with community stakeholders that create community and economic opportunity