Sada Stewart Troutman

Executive Director, Downtown Salisbury, Inc.

Native of York, PA

Industry: Non-Profit

Sada Stewart Troutman says it is an exciting time to live and work in downtown Salisbury because of the number of young people moving here. “The city has a multi-generational feel. There is something for everyone to do. When you walk downtown, you meet up with friends,” she says.

The downtown with all its amenities would not be available at other towns our size, she says. “Salisbury has made an investment in being able to have these amenities.” The arts community, with galleries and three theaters are on a scale of a town much larger, as is a park the size and scope of Dan Nicholas and 4 colleges in the community. “That’s very atypical,” she says. 

She and her husband, Preston Troutman, a native of Rockwell, moved here from Charleston, SC, where she worked for the Historic Charleston Foundation. She came here as Executive Director of Historic Salisbury Foundation. Since then, she has become Executive Director of Downtown Salisbury, Inc., and serves on boards at Historic Salisbury Foundation, the Rowan County Chamber of Commerce, the Rowan Tourism Authority, Pops at The Post, and the City of Salisbury’s Forward 2040 Planning Committee.

Loves Serving

“I love serving organizations that work to promote Rowan County, our businesses and attractions,” she says. “I try to engage at the leadership level AND the citizen level to shop, live, work and play within our county.”

Preston and his brother, John, own Books Brothers, an online based wholesale used books and media company so he is not professionally confined by location.

Sada and Preston chose to live on North Main Street for its historical architecture and because a short walk with their dogs, Griffey and Cannon, takes them straight into the heart of downtown with its energy and action, Sara says.

She is attached to the Cheerwine Festival because the day she came to the job interview three years ago, the festival was in full swing. “The festival shows Salisbury at its finest and draws people in,” she says. “It shows what we have to offer.”

Unique County

She sees the county as “a unique blend of urban and rural, while retaining historic authenticity in our towns. Living in Rowan County makes you have a distinct sense of pride in place, because you can say we have an opportunity for rural entertainment, but we also have a city that provides character, while still remaining unique.” 

The county slogan, Be an Original,™ is a perfect fit. “It means that everything Rowan County offers is authentic,” Sada says. “Rowan embraces its natural character of being a welcoming, small-town oriented place, while still having city opportunities.”

Sweet Meadow Cafe is her favorite restaurant, even though she is partial to all downtown restaurants because they are within walking distance of home and work. She likes the “fresh-based menu and variety” at Sweet Meadow. 

Bell Tower Green Park is a favorite outdoor space. “It’s an attraction for all generations and a great community gathering space,” she says. 

She recommends a walk downtown for first-time visitors to Salisbury. “People are surprised at the diversity and there’s also the history. My dad pointed out that he had never seen a town with so many historical markers.”

Sada says that her love of history stems from growing up in York, PA, with parents who planned trips to historic sites and museums. She was an American history major as an undergrad. 

“I love Rowan County because it is the kind of place where I get to be part of a close-knit community that cares for one another,” she says. “But at the same time, Rowan County offers so much in terms of careers, education, entertainment, nightlife, et cetera. As much as I love to travel, I always feel like Rowan County has so much to experience. We have opportunities for people to succeed and be happy. We have rural land, parks, outdoor activities, or we have urban condos, shopping and spas. We’ve got it all, and it is characterized by small town pride and service.”