On today's show I sat down with SaraBeth Drybread, economic development director for Edinburgh, Indiana, to discuss the town's deep history, its legacy as the veneer capital of the world, and the decline of its 1870s downtown after 2008 due to neglected historic buildings and absentee landlords.
Drybread explains how Edinburgh Main Street was founded in 2025 by residents, business owners, regional partners, town officials, and downtown stakeholders, and is applying for the Office of Community and Rural Affairs Downtown Affiliate Network, working toward state accreditation for Main Street. They're using lessons from mentor communities like Wabash and Rushville, where historic theaters helped catalyze revitalization.
Drybread outlines priorities for Edinburgh including increasing storefront occupancy, attracting a strong mix of retail and services, leveraging partnerships across three counties, and building a downtown plaza with an amphitheater supported by grants and local tourism funding while promoting assets beyond the outlet mall, including the Pixy Theatre and Indiana's largest tenderloin at Edinburgh Diner.
If you like this episode and want to hear more Get IN. episodes where I interview Hoosiers making a difference, visit getindiana.com/podcast.
You are going to learn about:
- The History of Edinburgh, Indiana and Its Legacy as the Veneer Capital of the World
- Why Edinburgh's Downtown Declined and How Edinburgh Main Street Is Working to Bring It Back
- Using Downtown Blueprints from Successful Communities
- Edinburgh's Greatest Assets
Thank you to our partners:
Kelley School of Business
Berne Apparel
Check out these great clips from the show:
01:35 Guest Introduction: SaraBeth Drybread, Town of Edinburgh
02:50 Edinburgh, Indiana Origins
04:46 Hardwood Horse History
06:34 Downtown Decline
11:45 Main Street Program
13:55 Accreditation Levels
19:34 Transformation Vision
22:01 Perfect Main Street Mix
23:46 Peer Mentors Theaters
33:28 Building Momentum
36:12 Trails Sell Cities
36:43 Three County Puzzle
38:02 Outlet Mall Origins
40:28 Downtown Plaza Plan
44:52 Granary And Buy-In
46:46 Parking Perception Shift
50:07 Edinburgh In 2036
51:59 Funding And Partnerships
54:13 Tenderloin Town Identity
56:09 Indiana Roots And Favorites
01:00:41 Hidden Gem Johnson Park
01:02:41 Hoosier To Watch
01:03:51 Love Your Town Outro
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