City of Morehead Earns Two Top Honors at 2025 Kentucky Main Street Awards

City of Morehead Earns Two Top Honors at 2025 Kentucky Main Street Awards

Battson‑Oates Commons named “Best Outdoor Space”; Holbrook Drugs’ Jennifer Anderson recognized as “Outstanding Main Street Partner.”

MOREHEAD, Ky. (July 7, 2025) The Kentucky Main Street Association (KMSA) has honored the City of Morehead with two of its highest 2025 awards, spotlighting the community’s ingenuity and spirit of collaboration.

• Best Outdoor Space — Battson‑Oates Commons
  What began as an emergency pandemic adaptation has become the heartbeat of downtown. In spring 2020, the City closed a short, under‑utilized block to create safe, open‑air dining and retail space. The success of that pilot spurred lasting investment: a portable performance stage soon followed, and in fall 2024 a permanent shade structure was installed, turning the site into a year‑round hub for live music, pop‑up markets, and community gatherings. Pedestrian counts have soared, nearby storefronts report steady sales growth, and the Commons now anchors the Downtown Entertainment District.
• Outstanding Main Street Partner — Jennifer Anderson, Holbrook Drugs
  Celebrating its 75th year, Holbrook Drugs remains both a cherished pharmacy and a catalyst for economic vitality. Owner Jennifer Anderson has served on the Morehead Main Street Board for three years, chairing the Economic Vitality Committee and championing joint promotions that draw visitors downtown week after week. Her leadership—and the store’s beloved soda fountain and gift shop—ensure Main Street’s past and future remain vibrantly linked.

“Battson‑Oates Commons shows what’s possible when you put people first in street design,” said Mayor Laura White‑Brown. “Pair that with partners like Jennifer Anderson and Holbrook Drugs, and you get a downtown that’s resilient, welcoming, and full of life.”

Upcoming at Battson‑Oates Commons

• Summer Concert Series every Friday at 7 p.m.
• First Saturday Market August 3, 10 a.m.–2 p.m.