Ever since Bristol Borough won a contest in 2016 to revitalize its main thoroughfare, the Bucks County town has experienced a renaissance, writes Kevin Riordan for The Philadelphia Inquirer.  

Just under a decade ago, the now-booming Mill Street had over 50 percent vacancies in storefronts.  

This is all thanks to the Small Business Revolution Contest, which set aside half a million dollars for one small town in America.   

“The town was mobilized, organized, and motivated,” Raising the Bar president Bill Pezza told The Philadelphia Inquirer.  

The contest was sponsored by Minnesota-based Deluxe Corp., which gave Bristol $500,000 for a waterfront sound system, infrastructure for display banners, and two information kiosks.  

Bristol is now a hotspot for up-and-coming small businesses. Sisters and owners of vegan market Terra Cotta Market Co. Jordan and Andie DeChirico said they chose the borough because of how welcoming it was and the frequency of events.  

The borough has also made a name for itself in the Bucks County bar scene. It’s home to a brewery, distillery, wine-tasting room, and speakeasy cocktail lounge.  

Read more about Bristol Borough’s renaissance in The Philadelphia Inquirer.  

Bristol Borough, PA Family Day Trip | Bucks County