What trends will shape Main Street businesses in 2026? And how can you prepare now? 

In this annual predictions episode, host Matt Wagner analyzes the intersection of society, technology, and economic trends to forecast what's ahead for small businesses and Main Streets. Drawing from consumer data, industry reports, and Main Street America's latest research, Matt identifies eight key trends that will impact everything from retail strategies to food and beverage concepts to financing models. 

Before looking ahead, Matt reviews his 2025 predictions — scoring a win on retail growth projections (flat to stagnant when adjusted for inflation), a loss on GPL-1 drug impacts (a year too early), and a draw on AI adoption by nonprofits (usage is there, but not in the predicted areas). 

Here are the eight predictions for 2026: 

Bonus Prediction: 2026 is the Year of Small Business! Our yet-to-be-released 2026 Directors' Survey shows "supporting businesses and entrepreneurs" as the #1 programming priority, and small business programming had the greatest community impact. With new resources including the Small Business Hub, Made Originals, grant programs, and the Hartford Small Business Accelerator, Main Street programs will cement their support for the small business sector. 

Whether you're a Main Street director planning 2026 programming, a business owner adapting your strategy, or an entrepreneur considering launch, these predictions provide a roadmap for navigating the year ahead. 

Note: At the end of February, we’ll pause new episodes of the podcast as we shift focus to the Small Business Hub and Made Originals programming. Explore our extensive back catalog here for insights on succession planning, disaster recovery, scaling businesses, and more. 

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Join us next time for more insights into the evolving landscape of Main Street business. 

In this episode, host Matt Wagner sits down with Kim Redeker, owner of The Sweet Granada Chocolate Shop in Emporia, Kansas.

Over 21 years, Kim has grown from a 500-square-foot storefront with two employees (herself and her mom) to a 3,200-square-foot production facility employing 21-28 people depending on the season, plus two retail locations. In 2025, The Sweet Granada was also voted the #2 best candy shop by USA Today Readers!

Kim's journey reveals the strategic advantages small-scale manufacturers have on Main Street: the ability to jump on viral trends (Dubai bars, cocoa bombs) before mass market catches up, the capacity to create custom products quickly using local technology, and how community connection keeps dollars and talent local. 

Discover Kim's approach to: 

Whether you're a small-scale producer considering expansion, a Main Street director supporting makers and manufacturers, or a business owner wondering how to compete with mass market, this conversation offers practical insights on building a manufacturing business without leaving downtown. 

Join us as Kim shares why her only regret is not starting sooner, how small makers make communities more interesting, and what it means to stay "light on your feet" as an entrepreneur. 

This episode also previews Main Street America's new Made Originals initiative, a soon-to-come program supporting small-scale manufacturers and brand creators in the Main Street network through giving access to national markets, education, certification, and access to capital. 

Get a limited edition box of Made Originals chocolates from Main Street maker, The Sweet Granada Chocolate Shop! Use code MSA26 for 30% off through 2/14.

Connect: 

Learn about The Sweet Granada Chocolate Shop 

Get a special Made Originals chocolate bar set! 

Learn about Emporia Main Street 

Learn about Made Originals 

Join MSA’s Small Biz Hub 

Episode Links: 

Join us next time for more insights into the evolving landscape of Main Street business. 

How do you build a scalable business without losing its origins; what makes it truly special? In this episode, host Matt Wagner sits down with Angela Mallett, founder of Honeybee Sage Wellness & Apothecary in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

In their conversation, Angela shares her intentional approach to growth, one that prioritizes community care and cultural healing over rapid expansion. Angela's journey began with massage therapy and a calling to bring ancestral herbal wisdom back to underserved communities. Starting in 2018 in the heart of Milwaukee's 53206 zip code — one of the city's most challenging areas — Honeybee Sage has become more than a tea shop. It's an apothecary rooted in the healing traditions of her great-great uncle, a root doctor from Mississippi, offering herbal remedies as medicine.

Discover Angela's approach to:

Whether you're an entrepreneur considering expansion, a Main Street director supporting mission-driven businesses, or a business owner wondering how to scale without sacrificing values, this conversation offers a refreshing perspective on intentional growth. Join us as Angela shares why she works "like she doesn't need the money," how herbal tea serves as accessible medicine, and what it means to be a professional "space creator" for community healing.

About the Episode

What happens after a natural disaster hits your Main Street? This episode provides insights on how Main Street leaders and business owners can learn how to be better prepared for disaster from others who have recently gone through recovery efforts.

In this special roundtable episode, host Matt Wagner sits down with community leaders from Spruce Pine, North Carolina, one year after Hurricane Helene devastated their downtown. Featuring Mayor Philip Hise, owners of DT’s Blue Ridge Java David Niven and Zan Sistare, Main Street Director Spencer Bost, and Town Manager Daniel Stines, this conversation goes beyond the immediate aftermath to address the complex realities of long-term recovery.

Located in the Appalachian Mountains with a population of approximately 2,300, Spruce Pine faced complete loss of water, power, and communication for 17-21 days. The town is now managing an estimated $50 million in municipal damages while supporting the recovery of downtown businesses like DT's Blue Ridge Java.  

DT’s Blue Ridge Java was a recipient of Main Street America's Backing Small Businesses Disaster Recovery Grant supported by American Express – in the episode, you’ll hear a bit about how the grant helped their recovery efforts. 

Discover the critical lessons they learned about: 

Why communication infrastructure failure was more devastating than physical damage 

What volunteer organizations made the difference in the first critical weeks 

The reality of 15+ day delays in federal emergency response 

Building improvements and infrastructure planning that matter for future mitigation 

Whether your community faces hurricanes, floods, tornadoes, or wildfires, these lessons apply. Learn what actually helps, what doesn't, and ways to prepare your Main Street before disaster strikes. 

Join us as we hear directly from this resilient community about their experiences with loss, recovery, and rebuilding—and what other Main Street leaders and business owners can learn from their story. 

Looking for more disaster resilience resources? Download Main Street America’s Disaster Recovery & Resilience Toolkit here. 

Connect: 

Learn about Downtown Spruce Pine 

Learn about the Town of Spruce Pine 

Learn about North Carolina Main Street & Rural Planning Center 

Learn about Main Street America's Backing Small Businesses Disaster Recovery Grant 

Learn about DT’s Blue Ridge Java 

Episode Links: 

About the Episode

In this data-driven conversation, host Matt Wagner sits down with Mike Powe, Senior Director of Research at Main Street America, to break down findings from their Fall 2025 Small Business Survey. The survey of 1,295 businesses reveals that small business owners are experiencing persistent revenue and profitability challenges, broad societal instability impacting operations, and the measurable advantage of Main Street program support (nearly a full point higher confidence and 11% better revenue stability).

Takeaways

Episode Links:

Amex Shop Small Grants Program

We have some super exciting news to share with you all! Main Street America and American Express are teaming up to launch a new grant program for small business owners. The Amex Shop Small Grants Program will provide an initial $5 million to fund 250 grants of $20,000 each to eligible small business owners across the U.S. The application will open on this Small Business Saturday, November 29, 2025. 

And get this. Every time an American Express Card Member shops with their eligible Card at a qualifying U.S. small business on November 29, American Express will donate an additional $1 to fund additional grants.  So, there’s an extra incentive to get out there and support local businesses on Small Business Saturday! You can find eligible small businesses in your community on the Shop Small Map. American Express Debit Cards are not eligible.”  

Find more information on our website at mainstreet.org/shopsmallgrant.

About the Episode

How can you maximize holiday revenue when you're facing tariff uncertainty, shifting consumer confidence, and limited time to prepare for the holiday season?

Takeaways

Episode Links:

Amex Shop Small Grants Program

We have some super exciting news to share with you all! Main Street America and American Express are teaming up to launch a new grant program for small business owners. The Amex Shop Small Grants Program will provide an initial $5 million to fund 250 grants of $20,000 each to eligible small business owners across the U.S. The application will open on this Small Business Saturday, November 29, 2025. 

And get this. Every time an American Express Card Member shops with their eligible Card at a qualifying U.S. small business on November 29, American Express will donate an additional $1 to fund additional grants.  So, there’s an extra incentive to get out there and support local businesses on Small Business Saturday! You can find eligible small businesses in your community on the Shop Small Map. American Express Debit Cards are not eligible.”  

Find more information on our website at mainstreet.org/shopsmallgrant.

About the Episode

How do you successfully transition a business across five generations without creating resentment or burning out the next generation? This episode tackles the complex realities of family business succession planning through the story of Tiger's General Store in Hayesville, North Carolina — a business that has operated continuously since 1875.

In this three-generation conversation, host Matt Wagner sits down with Rob Tiger (fourth generation), Holly Tiger (married into the business), and Lauren Tiger (fifth generation) to explore the intentional decisions that have kept this 150-year-old business thriving. From Rob's initial reluctance ("I'll give you a year") to Lauren's carefully structured path that required building her own career first, this family reveals the honest conversations and strategic choices behind successful succession.

Discover practical strategies for:

Whether you're planning a business transition, considering buying a family business, or wondering how to stay relevant in a small market for decades, this episode provides a candid look at what actually works — and what doesn't — in multi-generational business ownership.

Join us as we hear directly from three generations about losing money in the early years, evolving from groceries to gifts, resisting pressure to go fully online, and why consistency matters more than perfection in small business success.

Special thanks to Sherry Adams, North Carolina Main Street Program, for coordinating this episode.

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When investors and banks say "no," how do you prove your business concept can work? This episode explores a strategic approach to launching a business that up-and-coming entrepreneurs could consider: launching a beta facility to prove market viability before scaling. 

In this episode, host Matt Wagner sits down with Megan Peterson, social innovator and founder of Mendo LEAP in Ukiah, California. Located in Mendocino County, Mendo LEAP is an adaptive play center providing an inclusive space for children of all abilities to Learn, Explore, Adapt, and Play (LEAP).  

Discover how Megan turned funding rejection into an opportunity to build a stronger, more sustainable business model by: 

Whether you're facing funding challenges, launching in an underserved market, or looking to validate your business concept before going all-in, this episode provides a practical framework for de-risking your venture while building community support. 

Join us as we hear directly from Megan about her journey from new mom to driven entrepreneur, the many lessons learned, and what other small business owners frankly can take from her story. 

Connect: 

Episode Links: 

- Watch video interview 

- Listen on Apple Podcasts 

- Listen on Spotify 

- Subscribe for updates 

Show Notes: 

Join host Matt Wagner for his conversation with Rachael Kehler, owner of The Peppermint Stick Candy Store in downtown Boyertown, Pennsylvania. In this episode, Matt and Rachael discuss her journey to entrepreneurship, leveraging nostalgia as a marketing tool, small town tourism, and more. 

In this episode, we dive deep into: 

- Rachael’s Journey to Entrepreneurship: Rachael explains her beginnings as a business owner. The idea for a candy store was sparked while watching visitors explore downtown Boyertown after riding a newly installed tourist train. With Rachael’s entrepreneurial spirit matched with her husband’s historic renovation skills, they created an old-fashioned candy shop and ice cream parlor as a feel-good destination for tourists and residents alike. 

- Harnessing Nostalgia in Your Business: As both a business owner and history lover, Rachael has learned that everything – even candy – has a story. Leveraging the feelings and memories associated with your products can endear customers to your business – and invite new people to walk through your door. 

- Keeping Up Modern Technology: If you walk into Peppermint Stick Candy, you’ll feel like you were transported back in time to the 1940s. But the marketing tools and techniques that made you want to visit in the first place are firmly planted in the age of AI. Rachael uses modern marketing tools like Grammarly, Google Gemini, and more to form creative marketing campaigns and stay hyper-productive as a busy small business owner. 

Connect: 

Episode Links: 

Join us next week for more insights into the evolving landscape of Main Street business. 

Join host Matt Wagner for his conversation with Daphne Labault, owner of Plena Mercancía in Chicago, Illinois. In this episode, Daphne, a Puerto Rican entrepreneur, shares her inspiring journey opening a coffee shop that also serves as a cultural hub in Chicago. Daphne discusses the challenges she faced after Hurricane Maria, her passion for supporting Puerto Rican artisans, and the importance of community in her business model.  

She highlights the invaluable support of The Puerto Rican Cultural Center (The PRCC), the realities of store ownership, and her vision of creating a supportive network for fellow entrepreneurs and artisans. Throughout the conversation, Daphne emphasizes the significance of creating meaningful connections with her customers and the role of her store in reconnecting the Puerto Rican diaspora with their culture. 

Daphne received small business development support to open her storefront through The Puerto Rican Cultural Center’s Mercado del Pueblo on North Avenue in Humboldt Park, Chicago. The PRCC received construction and operating support for the site and its programs through The Hartford Small Business Accelerator Grant Program in partnership with Main Street America. 

Connect: 

Episode Links: 

- Watch video interview 

- Listen on Apple Podcasts 

- Listen on Spotify 

- Subscribe for updates