Black merchants and white merchants along Washington and intersecting streets that make up the downtown shopping area say racism isn’t a problem in the refurbished and enlivened area.

“I don’t think people should feel like there is racism down here,” said Karen Davis, owner of Tresses on the Terrace, 620 Crawford St.

“I love it down here, and my customers are black,” Davis added.

Davis, who is black, moved into her shop on Crawford Square in the center of downtown Washington Street about four years ago. She said some of her customers have said they haven’t always felt welcomed at other shops, but she has never had a problem with any of her downtown neighbors.

Davis also said she agrees with comments made by Rosalie Theobald, executive director of the Main Street program, that a certain atmosphere in the newly remodeled downtown should be maintained.

“I don’t want any hoodlums down here either. Black or white,” Davis said.

Nancy Bullard, owner of Sassafras, 1406 Washington St., is white. She said she is frustrated to see what she doesn’t believe is a race issue turned into one.

“I’ve never perceived a problem before and, as far as our business, there’s no black, white or racial problems,” Bullard said.

A rift over downtown began in March when former business owner Melanie Damrell, who had operated the Dixie Diamond at 1306 Washington St., claimed she was the victim of discrimination by Main Street officials. Damrell, who is white, says she became the target of Main Street and city officials after she began catering to blacks.

But, her landlord and Main Street board chairman Harry Sharp says Damrell failed to pay her portion of an electric bill for a meter shared between the Dixie Diamond and Borrello’s Restaurant. Warren County Court Judge Johnny Price agreed with Sharp and signed an eviction order that shut down the lounge.

On the portion of the tape played by Damrell last week at the Main Street board meeting, Theobald talked about people drinking in the street and breaking windows, but there was no mention of anyone’s race.

Norma Massey, owner of Fredrick’s shoe store, 1218 Washington St., and a member of the Main Street board, said she hopes playing the tape will put an end to the questions about downtown.

“Hopefully, finally, people will realize that it’s not about a racial thing,” Massey said.

Glenn Oliver, who is black, opened Jago’s Enterprises, a management consultant firm, at 1501 Washington St., last month despite claims of racism. He said he feels comfortable with the atmosphere on Washington Street and he enjoys bringing friends and family from out of town to visit the downtown area.

“This is the place you like to bring people. This is the place to be,” Oliver said.

Ed Clark, co-owner of Uptown Florist & Gift at 1501 Washington St., said he has felt welcome downtown since his shop opened last week.

“I love it down here,” said Clark who drives from Pearl to work in Vicksburg.

“The atmosphere is great, and the people are always friendly,” he said.

Oliver and Clark both lease space in one of the most recently remodeled downtown buildings owned by Omar Nelson and Ramel Cotton, who are both black. Most downtown buildings are owned by whites, but at least two others, the former Burger Village building at 1220 Washington St., and the office building at 1222 Washington St., are owned by blacks.

Also, just north of the downtown area, but still inside the Main Street District, the buildings in the 900 block of Washington Street are owned by a black family trust.

Historically, downtown has been segregated with most black businesses located in the 1500 block and until the downtown remake in 2002, only the 1300 and 1400 blocks were brick-paved.

Since then, the city has spent about $8.6 million downtown, including brick paving, landscaping and antique lighting throughout the five downtown blocks including the historically black 1500 block.

Just last weekend, the 18th annual Riverfest, a street festival of bands, arts and crafts and food vendors, drew a record 25,000 people to the downtown area.