The National Trust Registry recognizes sections of Boonville as historic.Including a building which houses the family shoe store.

"This building dates back to about 1880. It was a tavern originally," business owner Ed Scrivner said.

Right now business owners in downtown Boonville are responsible for their own restoration expenses.

"They're spending their own money, there are no grants and stuff and we're just trying to work out and make it look better," Scrivner said.

But if the various parts of downtown can earn recognition as a whole district, building owners can apply for federal money to help pay for refurbishing.

"There's a lot of economic benefits to becoming part of a historic district. Tax credits, grants, available to help," Ron Schmitz, from the Boonville Historic Preservation Advisory Commission, said.

Scrivner said Boonville is still at least a year away from earning the official title of National Historic District, which would be made up of a specific area.

"Downtown and one street on either side," Scrivner said.

For now, business owners will have to manage the up-keep on their own. Several building owners are not waiting to find out if downtown Boonville gets official recognition as a historic district. They've already started renovating.