In the 1960s, British singer and songwriter Petula Clark sang about the joys of going downtown in her hit song titled “Downtown.”
So go downtown
Things will be great when you’re downtown
No finer place for sure, downtown
Everything’s waiting for you.
Those were the words Clark sang out over an upbeat melody.
Now, merchants in Elizabethton’s downtown business district are hoping local residents will get that same feeling about their local downtown. And with the variety of shops, restaurants, activities and unique finds, everything really is waiting for you… downtown.

“There is so much we have here in our little area,” said Kathy Shoun, owner of The Dressing Room and president of the Downtown Business Association.
Among the many businesses that call downtown home are clothing stores, antique shops, restaurants, furniture stores, appliance stores, banks, a church, a computer shop, a music store, farm supplies, hunting supplies, a coffee shop, a bakery, an art gallery, lawyers, an optometrist, insurance agents, financial services, a mechanic, a tattoo parlor, a coffee roaster, cosmetics, hair salons, a spa and beauty salon, a pharmacy, a chiropractor, a sports shop, alterations, and many other things visitors might not expect to find in a historic downtown.

“Our food goes from pizza and subs to salad bars, to good southern food, to Italian food and Korean,” Shoun said. “And, of course, there is City Market. Their chicken salad is so wonderful.”
Shoun’s store specializes in women’s clothing, offering everything from every day wear to prom and bridal gowns. She also offers jewelry, shoes and accessories. Her is just one of the places women can go downtown to find a new outfit or add something different to their wardrobe.
“There’s a little clothing for women all through the downtown, from casual to formal to bridal,” Shoun said.
And, when it comes to looking your best, the clothes aren’t the only thing you’ll find downtown.

“You can get your hair done, there’s a little spa, you can get your nails done, and, of course, there is make up as well,” Shoun said.
Some of the businesses downtown have been there for a long time, Shoun said, while others are newer.
“Ritchie’s has been there forever and they are really established,” Shoun said. “Cannon’s is too. We are really lucky there.”

Among the newer downtown merchants are Sugar Love Bakery & Cafe and Sweetsie Treats.
“We’ve got some new businesses that are getting ready to start too,” Shoun said. “They’re not quite ready to open, but they’re working on it.”
Many of the businesses also work together to not only better serve their customers, but to also promote their neighboring businesses by referring visitors to other downtown shops or restaurants. As an example, Shoun said when customers come to her shop looking for prom or bridal gowns, she recommends they visit Merle Norman across the street where they can have their hair styled, their nails manicured, and their makeup done.
The future is looking bright for the downtown business district as well, Shoun said. The Downtown Business Association is working on improvement projects, including placing picnic tables and seating areas in the breezeways and a Farmer’s Market is also in the works.
“I think that will be a wonderful asset to downtown,” she said.