The Jacksonville Onslow Economic Development Partnership Community Business Loan Fund is pleased to introduce Clove Hitch Beer Company owners Kevin Ryan and wife Haley Leo, recipients of a JOEDP Community
“We are on the right track,” Smith said. “It’s just slow progress.”
Smith wants to see a push for self-guided tours downtown and the addition of some form of nightlife, antique shops and boutiques.
“I think if there were more businesses that were down here, and kind of the more unique, it could be more like New Bern [or] Kinston,” Smith said.
Jacksonville mayor Sammy Phillips remembers when downtown Jacksonville was one of the only places to shop in the city. A lot has changed since then as Jacksonville continues to grow outward, but not all hope is lost for reviving downtown.