FRANKLIN COUNTY, N.C. -- Franklinton may not be the first place that comes to mind when thinking about a bustling downtown area, but all of that is about to change.

Town officials have partnered with a real estate development company, Franklinton Development, to restore main street to its glory days.

An open house was held on Wednesday to show off potential retail space.

“In five years, we hope to see people on the sidewalk having lunch, boutiques, services companies, sports bars, apartments. We see it becoming a really active, walkable downtown,” says Joe Farrell, managing partner of Franklinton Development.

Tony Lee is one business owner who plans on putting his Allstate office right on Franklinton’s main street.

“I see a lot of growth coming north from Raleigh,” Lee said. “We see how Wake Forest has exploded, Youngsville is exploding, and now we are starting to see Franklinton do the same thing.”

As of the last census in 2010, the population of the small town near Wake Forest just topped 2,000.

Business owners like Lee hope in the near future, more people will be drawn into the small-town charm and what main street will have to offer.

“I jumped right on it," Lee says. " I feel very excited about where Franklinton is going.”

Development officials say a brewery and a sports bar are interested in coming to the town within the year.