Along Main Street, Bay Shore

In a community that has seen its share of ups and downs, Bay Shore's Main Street is definitely on the upswing, with more restaurants, bars and specialty shops popping up all the time.

The YMCA Boulton Center, which features popular bands and musicians, serves as both the physical and sentimental center of the street. No chain stores here. And the only drugstore is Shore Drugs, where pharmacists really do know customers by name.

There's a reflective garden with benches for the weary, and the bandshell showcases events, including the Oct. 6 Pumpkin Fest.

"People want that unique charm of an American street, where you meet your neighbors or fellow businesspeople," says Donna Periconi, president of Bay Shore Chamber of Commerce. "There's something just charming about an old-fashioned Main Street."

Here are six stops along the way: