Mainstreet Maven: Cindy Loudenslager
Cindy Loudenslager traded 30 years of NYC banking for early mornings at the Dorset Union Store. Here's how she's keeping Vermont's oldest general store alive and thriving like never before.
Mainstreet Maven: Jillian Minerva
Jillian Minerva didn’t plan to become the keeper of a small-town heartbeat — but sometimes life reroutes us toward where we truly belong. Today, she and her husband Joe run the Barnard General Store in Vermont, raising their family between morning muffins, lake views, and the hum of community life, while growing a modern family business that’s just as rooted in connection.
Discover, Prosper, Dwell: How MoxieTowns Sees Remarkable Small Towns
MoxieTowns exists for one reason: small towns are where the next great chapters are being written—and most people still don’t know where to look. We go looking anyway. Not for “cute,” not for clichés, and not for places that photograph well but live poorly. We search for towns with a real heartbeat: places you can discover with wonder, prosper with purpose, and dwell with a sense of belonging. These three lenses are our compass. They shape every story we tell and every metric we track, helping us spot the signals that matter—walkable Main Streets, community champions, reliable connectivity, everyday livability, and that unmistakable feeling of “this could be home.” In short: we chase the magic, and we verify it.
The Next Great Startup Hubs: Small Towns
Think you have to move to a big city to build a serious business? Discover why more entrepreneurs are choosing small towns for lower costs, less competition, and stronger community support.
Mainstreet Maven: Jenn Geller of Geller Law
Meet MoxieTown’s Mainstreet Maven, Jenn Geller of Geller Law in downtown Canton, GA—family law attorney, mediator, and new Main Street building owner helping strengthen the heart of town.
Remote Work & Small-Town Living: Why Millions Are Choosing a Different Kind of Life
Remote work reshaped more than our calendars and commutes; it rewired what’s possible for our lives. In 2025, tens of millions of Americans are working remotely, and a significant share of them are using that freedom to trade big-city addresses for smaller, more livable places. When “where the office is” stops driving decisions, “where life feels right” finally gets to take the lead.
Small Town Affordability
Curious how far your housing budget goes in a big city versus a small town? Explore real 2025 data on rural vs. urban home prices, and see why small-town living can unlock more space, more land, and more life for less.
The Great Return: Why So Many Young Adults Are Leaving Cities for Small-Town Life
Discover why young adults are leaving big cities and choosing small towns for affordability, community, and creativity. Explore what’s fueling this great migration and how you can find your perfect town with MoxieTowns.
Mainstreet Maven: Anna Schoenduby
Mainstreet Maven Anna Schoenduby brings global impact to Staunton, VA through Latitudes Fair Trade. Her boutique offers ethically sourced jewelry, clothing, gifts, and home goods—empowering artisans worldwide while enriching Main Street.
Mainstreet Maven: Cindy Fellows
Meet Cindy Fellows, the creative force behind October Grace Media in Staunton, VA. Discover how this Mainstreet Maven blends photography, storytelling, and strategy to help nonprofits and small businesses shine.
Mainstreet Maven: Christina Katopodi
Discover Armiriki a design and manufacturing studio in Nafplio, Greece, where limited-edition T-shirts become stories of identity, creativity, and local pride. Co-founded by Christina Katopodi, one of our Mainstreet Mavens.
How Fast Is It? In Southport, NC
How Fast Is It? Exploring Broadband and Cellular Coverage in Southport, NC
Tucked away on the picturesque coast of North Carolina, Southport is a charming small town that has become an unexpected haven for digital nomads, remote workers, and entrepreneurs. While its tranquil atmosphere and stunning natural beauty are undeniable draws, what truly sets Southport apart is its robust internet infrastructure. In this post, we'll delve into the world of broadband and cellular coverage in Southport, highlighting how strong connectivity is transforming this quaint town into a vibrant hub for remote professionals.
How Small Towns Can Attract Remote Workers and Digital Nomads
We’ve all heard the chatter: “Everyone’s heading back to the office!” Yet, the reality is that remote and hybrid work—especially for small-business owners and global collaborators—is still thriving. There’s a wonderful opportunity here for small towns to roll out the welcome mat for these new kinds of professionals, especially those who crave the slower pace and friendly vibe that only a small community can offer. If you’re an entrepreneurial spirit on the lookout for a new place to set down roots, or a local official imagining a more vibrant downtown, read on.
How fast is it? In Fernandina Beach?
When it comes to speed, Fernandina Beach is making waves! The average download speed hovers around an impressive 3,508 Mbps, which puts it ahead of both state (3,170 Mbps) and national averages (2,565 Mbps). If you’re looking for the fastest available speeds in town, Xfinity offers a jaw-dropping 10 Gbps plan – perfect for those who need to download large files or stream high-definition content without a hitch.
A New Catalyst for Women in Business kicks off in Staunton
Walk through downtown, and you’ll find thriving storefronts, creative studios, and bustling cafés—often run by dedicated women we have come to call “Main Street Mavens.” We are finding them in so many of our small towns. An energy and passion that ignites the possibilities that may have sat a little quiet - but not any more. Now, these innovators have a new community hub to elevate their voices and expand their dreams: Valley Women Collab.
The Value of the Village: How Small Towns Model Connection
A friend and colleague and I were talking about how much we see our society disconnected and how so many are seeking community and connection. Knowing my passion about how I see this connection still ingrained in so many of our small towns, he shared an intriguing piece in The Atlantic titled “The Anti-Social Century,” published January 8, 2025.[1] The article paints a picture of society increasingly retreating into personal bubbles, choosing digital communities over the in-person kind. It’s a provoking read and echoes much of what we see in communities across the world while technology keeps us superficially connected, it can also isolate us from genuine neighborly bonds.
Small-Town Spirit and Big Ideas: Meet Staunton’s Megan Burrows of Burrow & Vine
Tucked away in the rolling hills of the Shenandoah Valley, Staunton, Virginia, has a way of surprising people. For entrepreneur Megan Burrows, Staunton became the perfect backdrop for her business, Burrow & Vine, and the launchpad for a thriving community of women in small business. I recently had the pleasure of chatting with Megan about what brought her here, how her shop came to be, and why she agrees with us at MoxieTowns that small-town Main Streets are brimming with potential.
Bookclubs | a dynamic startup in Camden
Bookclubs is transforming the way book clubs connect and thrive. This innovative platform is a group organizing tool that makes it simple to create, manage, or join a book club. With over a million members worldwide, Bookclubs helps readers come together through polling, scheduling, messaging, book tracking, and more—all in one convenient app.
Are they ALL small towns?
America: A Nation of Small Towns Rediscovered
It seems the heart of America has always been beating strongest in its small towns. From the rolling hills of Appalachia to the sun-drenched streets of Florida’s coastal hamlets, small towns have long been the quiet backbone of this country. But in recent years, they’ve become something more—a destination for growth, innovation, and a new way of life. Technology, for all of its frustrations and impact, is allowing people of all ages and stages to forge new lives in our small towns.
From Canvas to Cotton: The Armiriki Story
Nafplio, with its rich history and stunning seaside views, provides the perfect backdrop for Armiriki's creative venture. This isn't your typical tourist town, and Armiriki isn't your typical souvenir shop. As you stroll through the cobblestone streets after a delicious meal, you might stumble upon their store - a beacon of artistic expression amidst the traditional architecture. It is like a working gallery – actually, it IS a working gallery.