Downtown Charlottesville Today

Today, the downtown mall is a vibrant section of the city that is home to many restaurants, stores, and small businesses. People of all ages and different ethnicities enjoy the downtown mall year-round. The mall has three different entertainment venues that offer a wide variety of music and theater. Also, there is a mix of different restaurants ranging from Christian's Pizza (a local favorite) to Ten (a high-end sushi bar.) Almost all shopping needs can be met downtown because of the many stores. You could go get running shoes, a party dress, groceries and get your watch fixed all in one short trip. People also can jog down the mall or take their dogs for a stroll and enjoy the shade and sites of the downtown area. The McGuffey Art Center is just off of high street and has a small park in front of it with a playground.

Video of Downtown

History of the Charlottesville Downtown Mall

Historically speaking, the downtown mall was the central business district of Charlottesville.  Back then, it was called main street and was not originally a pedestrian mall like it is today.  When other shopping centers, like Barracks Road, were built the stores on main street began to lose business. In 1959, converting main street to a pedestrian mall was first proposed. In 1974, construction began. The idea was to make main street into a car-free, pedestrian friendly shopping area. Since the beginning of the mall, many new boutiques and restaurants have opened. Some businesses actually remain from before the conversion! One of these businesses is Timberlake's Drug Store and Soda Fountain. 

making main street into a pedestrian mall-1975

Timberlakes

(before)

(after)