One of the biggest stories in the history of the American city has been the decline of downtowns and urban cores in the last generation—a story matched only by the equally dramatic revitalization many of these city centers have seen in recent years. Baton Rouge has had its own experience with this trend toward rejuvenated downtown areas, and one of the key drivers behind the capital’s rebirth has been the Mid City Merchants. Founded a quarter century ago as downtown Baton Rouge began to redevelop, the all-volunteer non-profit has worked since then to strengthen the business community of Mid City Baton Rouge and make Mid City a destination, not just a descriptor.
Mid City Merchants connects all participating businesses in its neighborhood—be they professional services, creative and artisans, or restaurants and entertainment destinations. One key aspect of this cooperation has been the successful effort to create an identity for Mid City. Slowly but surely, an idea of the neighborhood has emerged—eclectic, up-and-coming, and energetic. This identity has helped the area become known around Baton Rouge, the greater Capital Region, and Louisiana as a whole. This work is buttressed by the work of the individual businesses, who look for ways to promote the area in their own work, and whose owners and workers regularly mingle at socials to swap ideas and success stories. An active social media presence and regularly updated website showing off the business community have also done their part to spark interest in and enthusiasm for the heart of BTR.
Justin Lemoine of the Mid City Makers Market and a member of the Mid City Merchants said that the organization’s biggest successes, aside from the “brand recognition” the neighborhood now has, are its annual Hot Art, Cool Nights and White Light Night events. These events allow local businesses to pair with creatives and promote the arts and culture of the area, presenting Mid City as a working, playing, creating whole—a hallmark of a successful neighborhood. And with the Art Hops always falling on the Fridays before Mother's Day and Thanksgiving respectively, you can mark your calendar years in advance for these artistic nights out.
With the Government Street “road diet” approaching, Lemoine notes that more restaurants, businesses, and mixed-use developments are arriving in Mid City—and more investors are taking note. Mid City and the areas around it will continue to bustle and grow, and may just become the heart of tomorrow’s Baton Rouge.
To learn more about White Light Night on November 16, click here.
.jpg)