Our Story

Downtown Cambridge is a nonprofit organization working to advance the revitalization of our beautiful downtown. We are a nationally accredited Main Street program designated by the National Main Street Center and the State of Maryland as a designated “Main Street” district. We work as a economic and community development organization to bring investment, businesses, customers, and fun to the core of our community–and to do so in ways that stays true to our town’s rich history. We do this through community engagement, partnerships, leverage of local and regional project funding.

We are a completely self-funded program and rely on business and community support to keep the engine running!

Our mission is one embraced and supported across our whole community. Sound like fun? Get Involved!

Read our 2019 Annual Report!

Our Vision

To advance our historic, waterfront destination by enriching the lives of residents and visitors through art, entertainment, cultural and business opportunities.

Our Mission

Downtown Cambridge is a nonprofit volunteer organization that brings businesses, jobs, customers, and entertainment to the core of our community while staying true to our town’s rich history.

The Main Street District

What area makes up the district recognized as Downtown Cambridge?  This map offers general guidelines, but to be certain whether your business falls inside our designated Main Street district, please reach out to for more information and to take advantage of the wealth of resources we have to offer our local business owners.

The Main Street Model

The approach we take follows the “Main Street” model of economic development developed by the National Trust for Historic Preservation. Now in place in more than 1,000 communities around the country, it’s geared especially toward historic downtown districts that hit upon hard times when shopping malls, big box stores, and chain restaurants came to dominate the dining and retail sectors.

We operate in four key areas:

The Business Development Team works to bolster business activity downtown by strengthening existing businesses and attracting new businesses.

In 2011, our volunteers were honored for the Best Business Development Project of the year among Maryland’s 23 Main Street Communities!

The Market & Promotions Development Team works to build downtown’s customer base via marketing efforts, promotional campaigns, special events and other strategies. Key Events such as Taste of Cambridge, Groove City Culture FEST, Blues, Brews & BBQs, & Second Saturdays. This team also oversees Co-Operative Marketing programs and brand & message development.

The Streetscape Development Team works to make downtown Cambridge a more beautiful, inviting, and environmentally sustainable place to spend time.

In 2010, our volunteers received the statewide Community Activism and Achievement Award from the Governor’s Office of Smart, Green & Growing!

The Organizational Development Team works to bring in the financial resources and volunteer expertise that Cambridge Main Street needs to help our community achieve its goal of a fully revitalized downtown district.

In 2010, our volunteers were honored for the Best Organizational Development Project of the year among Maryland’s 23 Main Street Communities.

All four teams are led and staffed by community volunteers.  Here’s where you can find out more about volunteer opportunities at Downtown Cambridge.

The Main Street model is working in Cambridge. The shops and restaurants in our downtown have garnered numerous awards and won increasing media attention in recent years as this revitalization gains momentum. It’s happening in large part because of the generosity of our donors and the work of our volunteers.

Leadership & Staff

Board Members

Wendy Windsor Ashburn, Treasurer

Karah Bunde

Lori Dever-Uncapher

Chad Edmondson

Mary Ann McNamara, President

Abby Messick

Rachele Orsini, Secretary

Casey Scott, MD MPH

Andrea Sommer, Vice President

Brett Summers

 

Staff

Margaret Knudsen, Executive Director

Gary Glanz, Farmers Market Manager