It has taken a lot of work, but signs of life are slowly returning to downtown Ironton.

People of a certain age will remember it as the place to go.

There was a movie theater and a lot of big stores. While the advent of cable television took the audience away from the Ro-Na Theater and it fell into disrepair after being an auto parts store, a lot of people have put a lot of effort into making it a usable space again.

Whether the space is being used for Queen of Hearts or as a space for Rally on the River or just being lit up for the Flashback Fridays’ Cruise Lines, it’s good to see the building restored after being so bad that the roof collapsed.

And the neon lights of the Ro-Na are just one sign of revitalization.

The Ironton Farmers Market brings in hundreds every Friday and Saturday. The same space is used for Tuesday night concerts and the Rally on the River.

And the city built a splash park on the next block to give the kids a great place to cool off.

And there are plenty of interesting little shops nearby.

While downtown Ironton may never have the same hustle and bustle as it once did, it also hasn’t fallen into complete disuse.

A big thanks to everyone who has helped find a use for the so many buildings and open spaces in Ironton’s downtown and for giving hope that more good things are to come.

Everyone can help bring it back by shopping local.