For months, rumors had traveled through Chestertown. Word on the street was that Chesapeake Bank and Trust was forcing John Alfree’s JR’s and Lemon Leaf Cafe, out of their High Street building. Or, that JR was holding the Bank hostage, forcing them to agree to a rock bottom sale for the property which Chesapeake had recently taken possession of as the result of a foreclosure.
Sadly for the originators of this bit of small town gossip, none of these rather sensational storylines turned out to be the case. In fact, it seems to be the opposite when you hear first hand from Chesapeake Bank’s president, Glenn Wilson, and restaurateur JR Alfree what actually took place over the last year to bring resolution to a complex transaction.
In their Spy interview, Glenn and JR talk about the circumstances and challenges that came with the future destiny of 337 High Street and clear up some of those rumors. More importantly, they speak of the creative process that needed to take place for the deal to emerge, and finally, the critical role that the Greater Chestertown Initiative and various other government financing programs played to assemble enough capital support to make it work.
We’ve also included a nice outtake after the program for the enjoyment of our viewers.
This video is approximately six minutes in length.
Kathi Donegan says
Great news! Some of my favorite people involved in this deal and now everyone’s a winner. This is just another reason to love Kent County. Thank you all for your efforts!
Billie Beck says
To be perfectly honest, I wish it was still Schreiber’s store. I would love to see Chestertown come back to the really nice Family town it use to be.
Melinda Bookwalter says
Yes, great news! And I commend JR and Glenn Wilson for their willingness to put the “real story” out there via a Spy video/interview, exemplifying what “community” is about. Thank you!