A reorganized and revitalized Downtown Chestertown Association is attempting to do what the White House, Congress, the Treasury Department, the Federal Reserve and money wizards George Soros and Warren Buffett have not.
Fix business here.
For the local repair job, DCA has brought in some of the best-known, home-grown entrepreneurs to form an entirely new slate of officers.
DCA President Nancy McGuire advised the Town Council on Monday that the association leaders, elected Feb. 17, now include Ellen Walmsley, Shannon Piasecki, Andy Goddard, Bob Ramsey, Marilyn Klompus, Michele Timmons and Kirsten Forney.
They are reaching outside of historic downtown, McGuire said, offering membership to businesses uptown and even on the edge of town. ELB auto repair on Flatland Road is being included. McGuire suggested Southern States, over the bridge, could be embraced. She also recommends Brampton Inn, and Lauretum Inn, both on Rt. 20, as likely members.
“The only reason we aren’t for the moment appealing for the shopping centers is they have their own dynamic and anchor stores,” says McGuire. “So we have our hands full getting shops and businesses and professional offices, lawyers and doctors.
“We also will accept and be delighted to have individual property owners. That’s part of our bylaws but we’ve never much thought about it.”
A first task is studying what innovations other communities in the same shape are doing to brace up local businesses.
“Towns all over the country are facing the same thing we are here,” McGuire observes. “It makes you feel better that others are struggling with you and rewarding that others are trying to figure it out also.”
As an example, she cited a move by business groups in Alexandria, Va., to enhance a two-block neighborhood, named Delray – by getting a local butcher shop started.
As she noted, a butcher shop has the benefit of bringing customers to a location throughout the day and through the working week – something shops in downtown Chestertown, many catering to weekend visitors, could appreciate.
Asked about that afterward, McGuire turned cautious: “I’m fearful of being specific. In this town you mention one thing, and the next thing [people think] a butcher is going to open next week. We don’t want to do that [be specific about early ideas].”
But she insists DCA today is “very organized and very methodical. When we bring something forward it will be because we’ve done a lot of homework.”
As she told the Town Council, looking around Chestertown she was reminded of a television program titled Life After People.
“None of us, in our entire community, can afford, nor want, ‘Chestertown After Business.’”
Keith Thompson says
I like that the new DCA is looking to expand beyond the downtown area. I think it bridges the “disconnect” between the downtown area and the rest of the town that has so often been talked about here.
Carla Massoni says
Perhaps the new revitalized downtown association can join with the arts community on a more formal basis for special projects. We’ve got some great people working with both groups. Seems like a win/win to me. Also, even though we may never have this much snow again – clearing the streets is essential for the business community. I watched as a gentleman from Stam’s (whose name I’ve known forever????) dug away at the mountain of snow in front of the store all by himself. His business serves the old and infirm and it was near impossible to get around the snow banks. This is one way the DCA could help everyone – and partner with the cash strapped municipal snow removal efforts. Go Nancy and team DCA – this is such a great town!