Howell wins 'Best Main Street' in America

HOWELL — After weeks of voting, Howell has won the title of "Best Main Street" in America by USA Today.

Howell's historic, bustling downtown topped the list of "10 Best Readers' Choice Awards."

Grand River Avenue is home to a host of small businesses in an easily walkable, charming shopping and dining district. It's a short walk to bakeries, boutiques, restaurants, and even an old-school movie theater.

Crowds gather on the lawn of the historic courthouse for concerts and community gatherings. They frequent a farmers' market. Thousands flock to annual festivals, including Melon Fest, which celebrates the area's agricultural history, civic events and parades.

A few years ago, the city completed a whimsical, award-winning playground, Howell Summit Gardens. Muralists have added color to buildings throughout downtown as part of the Howell Art Project. Even an alley, Peanut Alley, was spruced up, and businesses there have marketed themselves as The Alley District.

“I am blown away by the response of our community to this poll,” Howell Mayor Bob Ellis wrote in a release.

“It is truly testament to the people that work hard to make this community great, from city staff, our Main Streetvolunteers, the DDA, the local chamber of commerce, our amazing merchants and many other serviceorganizations," Ellis said. "This achievement could not have happened without them.”

Kate Litwin — director of Howell's Downtown Development Authority and Howell Main Street Inc. — called the title "an incredible honor."

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“It’s even more rewarding knowing that it was voted on by the very people that we serve daily," Litwin said. "I couldn't be prouder of this accomplishment because it signifies the genuine affection our residents have for this community, and signifies that Howell truly is a great place to live, work, play and stay.”

USA Today is owned by Gannett, the same company that owns and operates Livingston Daily Press and Argus.

— Contact reporter Jennifer Eberbach at jeberbach@livingstondaily.com.