Prime retail area: Abbr.

MAINST

Think of the busiest street in a small town where shops and businesses line up—often named for its central location. The abbreviation drops the last few letters.

This clue asks for an abbreviation of a prime retail area, which typically refers to a main street where shops and businesses thrive. "MAINST" is short for "main street," a common term for the central commercial hub in many towns. The abbreviation is straightforward—no wordplay or hidden meaning, just a direct reference to a well-known retail location.