Raleigh, N.C. — Person Street is undergoing a renaissance, with new shops opening up to create a thriving business community on the east side of downtown Raleigh.

Four businesses have opened along a stretch between the Oakwood and Mordecai neighborhoods, and a restaurant and a market are planned for the former Person Street Plaza shopping center.

"Over the past two years, we've had incredible growth," Philip Bernard, the founder of Person Street Partnership, said Wednesday.

The partnership of area residents and businesses wants to build a "vibrant downtown neighborhood center," Bernard said.

"We have two great neighborhoods – Mordecai on one side and Oakwood on the other – and all of these people are wanting places to be able to walk to," he said.

Becky Wofford opened Anvil, a fine art and jewelry store, seven months ago after learning of efforts to revitalize the area.

"The neighbors here welcomed me with open arms," Wofford said.

A fitness club, a bicycle sales and repair shop and a pub also have moved in, and construction starts in February on townhouses across from the Krispy Kreme shop at the corner of Person and Peace streets. Three of the 18 units have already been sold.

Bernard said the next steps include working on a unified streetscape design and finding ways to turn parking spaces into what he calls "people spaces" by extending areas for outdoor dining or events to bring people to the neighborhood.