Downtown Shoals Boom: New Businesses Breathing Life into Main Street

Shoals, IN — Strong leaders see opportunity in every crack and every collapsed ceiling, and Shoals Town Council President Cary D. Albright is watching that philosophy play out right on Main Street.

In his latest “Councilman’s Corner” column (published March 18, 2026, in The Shoals News and shared online), Albright highlighted several new businesses opening or preparing to open in longtime vacant or repurposed storefronts. These additions signal continued momentum in downtown revitalization for the Martin County seat.

Among the highlights:

A new gun shop is set to open in the former Violet’s Beauty Shop location.
An archery shop will occupy the old ALCO Store building.
A bakery and coffee spot is coming inside Queen’s Clothing.
Albright shared personal memories tied to these buildings, noting he used to sit in the front window of Violet’s while his mom got her hair done and ordered his first Shoals High School team jacket from Son Sorrels at Queen’s Clothing back in 1976. At Second and Main—once home to Martin County Bank, where he opened his first savings account as a child—the space is gaining a new purpose as well.

“Over the past year, we’ve welcomed several new businesses to Main Street,” Albright wrote. “Shoals is growing, improving, and moving forward. I look for the positive, and I see it.”

One of the newest additions already generating excitement is Be Sweet, LLC, a bakery planning a grand opening on Saturday, March 28? (or whenever the exact date falls—confirm locally), at 314 Main Street. The shop promises fresh baked goods and a welcoming spot for locals and visitors alike.

Building on Recent Revitalization Efforts
These new openings build on earlier investments in Shoals’ downtown appearance. Last year, businesses along Main Street received a visual boost through a partnership with Indiana University’s Rural Placemaking Studio. IU students and faculty collaborated with local owners to design and fabricate new signage for spots like SC Draperies, Main Street Laundry, H&H Hometown Hardware, Hair Tropics, and Chastain’s Flowers & Gifts. The project aimed to improve visibility, branding, and create a more cohesive, inviting aesthetic that reflects Shoals’ identity along the East Fork White River.

The Martin County Alliance for Economic Growth continues to support these efforts. Their 2026 Facade Grant Program (applications were open earlier this year with a 1-to-1 matching grant up to $4,000) helps business owners invest in exterior improvements to enhance curb appeal in Shoals, Loogootee, and Crane. Even though the initial application window has closed, the Alliance remains a key resource for downtown development—contact Executive Director Jessica Potts for updates on future rounds or other support.

Why This Matters for Shoals
In a small town like Shoals, every new business does more than fill a building—it creates jobs, draws foot traffic, supports existing shops, and attracts visitors exploring the scenic East Fork White River area. Outdoor enthusiasts, history buffs, and day-trippers from surrounding counties could find more reasons to stop, shop, and stay a while with expanded retail and food options.

Local leaders and the Martin County Alliance emphasize that these “small wins” add up, helping combat challenges faced by rural downtowns while preserving the tight-knit community feel that defines Shoals.