The Downtown Brainerd of today, with its unique shopping and dining experiences and charming commercial buildings, is the outgrowth of over 130 years of commercial and retail metamorphosis. Even in the late 19th century, businesses needed to be innovative and creative to continuously meet the ever-changing interests of their customers. Nowhere is this more evident than in the history of Downtown Brainerd.

Downtown Brainerd started near the Mississippi river on Front Street and expanded to the east along Front Street, with boarding houses and hotels. A few decades after the city was founded, grander buildings were built closer to 5th and 6th streets. The main business street in Brainerd slowly shifted from Front Street to Laurel street over the years.

Though the core of the historic Downtown was on the south side of the railroad tracks, some distinguished buildings were built north of the tracks, such as the Villard at Washington and Sixth. However, when the hotel burned in 1887, more of the city's business life stayed south of the tracks for many years. The appearance of automobiles aided in the expansion of the business district to Washington street and beyond.

Downtown Brainerd is lucky to have of its older building still standing, filled with unique, locally-owned shops and restaurants creating a pedestrian friendly commercial district with authentic Midwest town charm. National Registered historic buildings in Downtown include the old Brainerd Public Library, the Brainerd Water Tower, and the Parker Building (E.L. Menk Jewelers).