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New businesses expected to revitalize Springfield's Main Street

Thousands of dollars are being poured into a dilapidated part of Springfield.

Three new breweries, a restaurant, a coffee shop and a pediatric doctor’s office highlight revitalization efforts on Main Street.

Neighbors said Main Street is often the first glimpse visitors have of Springfield.

During the last few years, this stretch of road between 6th and 9th streets featured abandoned buildings with broken or boarded-up windows.

“Main Street was a desert,” Springfield resident Yolanda Copeland said. “It was maybe a couple of pawn shops.”

Neighbors said this run-down look has given Springfield a bad reputation, but the new businesses are expected to make a huge difference.

“I think the breweries bring a decent amount of foot traffic, they’re also appealing to people out of the neighborhood,” said Jamie Toraason with the Springfield Preservation and Revitalization Council.

Hyperion Brewing Co. is the first of these businesses expected to open, with a grand opening to be held May 19.