20 years ago, if you wanted to do some shopping in Charleston there was one place to go: the Town Center!

The mall brought with it lots of shopping and dining opportunities. But they came at the expense of the unique storefront businesses that used to thrive downtown!

But back in the mid-80s, the city of Charleston and the Urban Renewal Authority made a commitment to bring back downtown, and at no time has that commitment been more evident than today!

The long-range plan, a bookstore, and now a cornerstone Charleston women's clothing store are converging, for a re-birth of downtown!

With the shadows falling long across its brick sidewalks, and the people strolling by the storefronts, the view on Capitol Street is like a postcard from the past!

10 years ago things were much different here. Empty storefronts and long-forgotten facades were more the norm. But Ann Saville had a vision.

People: and patience! The city of Charleston and Cura started making major public improvements 20 years ago with the sidewalks, and the lighting.

Taylor books came in in 1995 and today that commitment is still paying off.

The development isn't done. Since downtown was listed on the national register of historic places back in March, the Charleston Area Alliance is now spreading the word about additional tax credits that they are hoping to attract even more investment here.