Downtown Durham Inc. shares Blueprint 2035, business owners hopeful it generates more customers

DURHAM, N.C. (WTVD) -- For the last five months, Ashleigh Bakes Daily has been open in downtown Durham along Main Street in the Downtown Durham Inc retail incubator space.

Ashleigh Ratchford owns the bakery that specializes in cookies and brownies.

"I love when people see them and take that first bite and say they didn't expect for them to be that good. It's delicious," said Ashleigh Ratchford.

She hopes the future is bright for small businesses in downtown Durham like hers.

"I hope to be able to walk down and see more businesses that look like me: more Black-owned businesses and more women-owned businesses. I want to see more businesses relevant to the city versus things moving in that are chains from other places," she said.

Downtown Durham Inc President Nicole Thompson presented the 2035 Downtown Durham Blueprint at the city council work session.

Thompson says downtown is facing several challenges including parking, safety concerns and finding ways to draw more people as hybrid work policies have led to fewer people supporting restaurants during the workweek.

"During the day from 8-5 you had the office worker and then from 5-7 pivoted to the evening people would come in and grab dinner and go to a show or something," she said.

Thompson said the future will celebrate the Bull City's rich history while supporting small businesses, becoming home to companies of all sizes and making the downtown area more walkable.

Downtown Durham Inc. has reached out to more than 3,000 people through surveys and pop-up events across the Bull City to seek community input.

There is also a plan to improve access to capital for minority-owned businesses.

"We have communities that have always wanted to be a part and have been unable to," said Thompson.

Several city leaders were in support of the plan and said it creates a strong vision for the future of downtown Durham.

"Everyone that's gotten involved in this project has done a phenomenal job," said City Councilman Nate Baker.

The Downtown Durham 2035 Blueprint is expected to be on the December 15th city council agenda for adoption.