RON KARAFIN/Courier-Post A view of the heart of Maple Shade's downtown shopping district. The streetscape has been upgraded in recent years and merchants say that business is improving.

With its five and dime, a custard shack and an ageless Acme, Main Street in Maple Shade evokes memories of decades past.

"It's like Mayberry," said Sandra Nunes, co-owner of L&S Chocolates.

"It reminds me of something in a movie from the 1950s," says Jacki Suggs, owner of Window Garden Florist & Landscaping, another downtown business.

And because the past comes alive on Main Street, the future looks bright, according to those who do business here.

Proprietors and government leaders said three things that have happened in the past six years - the beautification of the downtown, the addition of parking along and near the street and the formation of the township business association - have strengthened the quaint business district. It stands in stark contrast to the look and feel of commercial tracts along Routes 38 and 73 in the township.

Mayor Claire Volpe doesn't think Main Street will see a rash of empty storefronts. In fact, with a large, age-restricted apartment complex planned for a lot just off Main Street, Volpe believes there will soon be even more customers walking the sidewalks carrying shopping bags.

"I think with the revitalization of the downtown and the senior housing being built, things are improving," Volpe said.

Nunes, 48, and Lu Valentino, 50, both of Maple Shade, gave up their corporate jobs six years ago to open L&S Chocolates on Main Street. They make candy gift baskets, party favors and sell chocolates by the pound. L&S is also one of the few stores in South Jersey that sells melting chocolates and molds for people to make their own custom candies. The tempting aroma of chocolate hits the nose as soon as you open the door.

Valentino and Nunes, both longtime township residents, said they wouldn't want their store anywhere but Main Street in Maple Shade.

"The location is perfect," Nunes said.

"It's great. The people here are wonderful," Valentino added.

They said their business is thriving. Nunes estimated about half their customers are from Maple Shade. They know many of them by name.

And the downtown revitalization project three years ago also helped to increase business receipts, merchants said.

According to township Manager George Haeuber, about $1 million was spent between 1998 and 2000 repaving Main Street, cutting down large, older trees and replacing them with smaller ones and adding the signature black-pole street lights.

"The result is, we have a fresh look on Main Street," Haeuber said.

Said Nunes: "People are always commenting on how nice our downtown looks. A lot of other towns don't even have a downtown."

Nunes and Valentino are also members of the Maple Shade Business Association. They said the organization has done a lot to bring potential customers to Main Street.

"It's a wonderful thing. Everyone networks and they bring a lot of business to town," Nunes said.

In recent years, an annual Halloween parade downtown has been added to the fall craft and Christmas festivals.

For Joe Priole and Marco Perazzo, owners of the Champion Martial Arts & Fitness Center, said the revitalization project helped their business by removing a huge tree in front of their storefront. Now motorists driving by can see their signs.

Priole, who opened the martial arts center 10 years ago with another partner, said Main Street has been a good location for several reasons, including its proximity to towns in Camden and Burlington counties, and its affordable commercial space.

Suggs, of the Window Garden florist shop, opened for business in 1998. She had considered Pennsauken.

"I stopped looking. I loved it," said Suggs, 56.

"I think it's going to grow and improve. Our business association has been growing by leaps and bounds."