Mayor Barbara Volk: Hendersonville

2025 NC Main Street Champion

Watch The Recognition Video

“Hendersonville is just such a wonderful community,” boasts Mayor Barbara Volk.

Since moving to Hendersonville in 1975, just before the city began construction on its now-iconic Main Street, this year’s honoree has been deeply involved in shaping its future.

“At the time, people were not happy with it,” she recalls of the way Main Street looked. That concern led to a run for City Council in 1989. “I thought some of the decisions were short-sighted. They were looking at what’s good right now—not five or ten years from now,” she stated in an interview with Hendersonville’s Downtown Director.

As mayor, she oversaw the Main Street redesign after the original streetscape, built on a minimal budget, needed major updates. “At that time, they were not happy, but today? Everyone loves the result—the wider sidewalks, the trees, and the planters. Outdoor dining really helped rejuvenate Main Street.”

To quote Mayor Volk, “Downtown is the jewel of this community, and we’ve got to make sure it stays that way.”

Hendersonville is honored to call Mayor Barbara Volk their 2025 Main Street Champion.