NATCHEZ — Main Street might have empty storefronts and buildings for sale, but local business owners say the downtown street still has a draw for shoppers and retailers.

City Sightseeing owner Warren Reuther is looking to open the bus tour company’s office on Main Street.

Reuther’s company New Orleans Hotel Consultants also owns the Natchez Grand Hotel and manages the convention center.

Reuther said Main Street is central to the city and prime real estate for business owners.

“It’s the No. 1 street in Natchez, in my opinion,” Reuther said. “It’s been that way since Natchez was a city.”

Although Main Street has several empty retail spaces, Reuther said Main Street is a convenient location for the tour office.

“It goes directly to the Grand Hotel and the convention center,” he said. “Main Street no doubt plays an important role in our businesses.”

The Mill owner Kel Richardson recently relocated his men’s clothing store to Main Street from Pearl Street.

When Richardson first opened the shop, there was speculation that the Eola Hotel, which is across from his previous location, would reopen as a hotel. The historic building is now in the process of being converted to apartments for senior citizens.

“The timeline, we really aren’t sure (of),” Richardson said. “So I think Main Street is the best place for me.”

Although his new location is just around the corner from his original shop, Richardson said he is certain the store will see more foot traffic.

“There’s better foot traffic on Main,” he said. “Even the locals here, they stay on Main Street. People consider downtown Main and Franklin (streets) in my eyes. I just felt like (moving to Main) would increase my business.

“I’m doing great on Pearl, but I feel Main Street is the place I need to be.”

Natchez-Adams County Chamber of Commerce President Debbie Hudson said the chamber and downtown businesses are working to increase the appeal of all of downtown.

“Over the holidays, businesses had expressed an interest to meet and work on ideas to encourage more visitors as well as locals downtown,” she said. “Since there currently is not an active downtown association, I decided to start the ball rolling and get as many businesses as possible to sit down and map out some future goals.”

Although the business owners discussed many items of both concerns and possibilities, Hudson said, they “decided to narrow their work to only a few things to tackle since there is no one to lead this group at this time.”

“Everyone was left with a to-do list of things to research and will bring back this information at their (next) meeting,” she said.

The next meeting is at 8:30 a.m. Thursday in the chamber boardroom in the convention center.

The business owners have decided they want bring back Second Saturdays and will be marketing those as soon as final events are set, Husdson said.

“As a group, they have not sat down together in a while, and there was a new energy on plans of working together,” Hudson said. “At some point, they will probably go to the mayor and board and request funding for a director … but thought they would do some things on their own first to show their unity and the importance of a strong downtown for the city economic development.”