After what could be called the longest close-out sale ever witnessed in retail (with the exception of furniture and oriental carpet stores, of course), Glad Rags has shuttered it's doors 11 months after announcing it would close. There is, of course, much interest and speculation as to what will become of the property, along with the former T. J. Market which recently vacated their space on the same block. Plans are afoot, so stay tuned.
Of course, there are a few bad apples in the bunch, but is it really fair to blame the entire profession for what ails our town, particularly when the majority of Takoma Park residents are homeowners...i. e., property owners, themselves?
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Eti Seltzer has returned and reopened Rerun in the former Women's Health Center space.
Roscoe's is open and serving......libations! There is nothing like a refreshing mojito on a hot summer's day.
Takoma, DC will soon see the opening of the cafe "My Little Bistro" and a much anticipated addition to The Culture Shop.....a wine bar.
A new residence? A storefront? Neither, rather an illusion and a great work of art. Artist G. Byron Peck's mural on the Kittner Design Studio building in the heart of Old Takoma.
So next time you are stuck waiting for the road crew to turn the sign from "stop" to "slow", look out your window and take in the changes happening around you.....and in many cases, because of you.
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In today's economic climate, everyone can relate to the importance of saving money. Purchases for non-necessities are kept to a minimum, if not eschewed entirely, and deals are sought regardless of a product's price or source.
While this makes sense from a consumer standpoint, looking to save money can have significant consequences to a local community. To help quell these challenges to independent businesses in cities across the nation, the "3/50 Project" was launched to expand awareness on how consumers spend money.
The premise behind the 3/50 Project is to encourage local residents to pick 3 small businesses within their community and spend $50 a month at each. This helps ensure their survival amidst economic doubts so prevalent today. Stickers advertising the campaign rest in store windows, and flyers are available offering statistics about the scope of what the project could mean to local business.
For example, if half the employed U. S. population spent $50 a month in independently run businesses, $42.6 billion in revenue would be raised. Additionally, for every $100 spent in independently owned businesses, $68 returns to the community through taxes, payroll, and other expenditures. If the same money were spent at a national chain, only $42 would remain. When purchases are made online, nothing comes back to the community.
Business owners in Claremont are taking notice. Joan Bunte, owner of Stamp Your Heart Out in the Village, has been in retail business in Claremont for over 30 years and was the first to bring the 3/50 Project to the attention of the city. Ms. Bunte first heard about the program through a manufacturing representative and wants to get other businesses involved. So far, local owners place information about the 3/50 Project in their customer emails and newsletters, with reactions that are generally very receptive.
Ms. Bunte expressed the kind of personal relationships Claremont residents enjoy within their community. "Claremont shoppers want to identify with stores, they want to know the owner and they want to see your face," she said.
Another Claremont store owner, Sal Medina, who runs the Packing House Wine Merchants in the Village West, said the focus of the program reaches further than his immediate place of business, even while it's indeed his priority. "...shopping local is something Claremont has always backed, but in this economy, we wanted to tap into the idea that 'Shop Local' is for everybody. We live in a small community surrounded by small communities, and the need for support is greater than neighborhoods."
The subtitle for the 3/50 Project on its logo reads, "Saving the brick and mortars our nation is built on." With tough economic times, the goal is ensuring small business will still be there when the climate improves which will require strong community support.
For more information, visit www.the350project.net
(This story was originally published in the July 22, 2009 edition of the Claremont Courier by Sean Pravica. Reprinted with kind permission from editor Kathryn Dunn and with gratitude to Brenda Bolinger).
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It's been 40 years since "Billy" and "Wyatt" were astride their choppers. Indulging in a bit of cinematic license, one can imagine that they have settled in Takoma Park and are now cruising with the new eGO Cycle 2LX. Now you can, too.
The Main Street Program of the Old Takoma Business Association is raffling a new eGO Cycle 2LX electric bike valued at $2,400.00. Proceeds of the raffle benefit Main Street Takoma, a non-profit program that is responsible for Old Takoma beautification (e.g. graffiti removal, clean up days and plantings), business facade improvement grants, and the Takoma Park Street Festival, to name a few of their many initiatives.
Raffle tickets are available at most Old Takoma businesses including The Big Bad Woof, Now & Then, and The Tranquil Soul. A prototype of the eGO Cycle 2LX is on view at The Tranquil Soul, located at 7014 Westmoreland, around the corner from The Shampoo.
Tickets are $10 each or 5 for $45. The drawing will be held on Sunday, October 4 at 5:00 pm during the Takoma Park Street Festival. You need not be present to win.
C'mon, you know you want to win!
"As we honor our national heritage and liberty, we also celebrate our nation's local independent businesses who have provided opportunity and underwritten community life and prosperity. It is time to consider the independent decision-making ability each of us possesses to choose the future of the place we make our home."
"Use Independents Week to explore your local independent businesses and see how much of your purchasing for that week you can do with them. You will keep your money circulating in your community three times longer than spending it at national chains would do, where it leaves immediately for somewhere else. Every dollar you spend at a local independent business helps your community in many ways" (see the May issue of the Takoma Voice).
(reprinted from the American Independent Business Alliance www.amiba.net)
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Two years after arriving in Takoma Park from the family natural foods business in Texas to assume the general manager position of the TP/SS Co-op, Jason Bradford is heading back home to be closer to his family. It does make on think twice before complaining about one's own commute, doesn't it?
This picture has absolutely nothing to do with anything except that I couldn't resist posting it. This is Kisses, the Wonder Yorkie. She has been staying with my neighbor for a couple of months and has stolen my heart. Future blogs may have to be done from the road as I will no doubt be on the lam after having stolen her when her rightful "owner" comes to collect her. Hmm, I probably shouldn't have publicized that.
Well anyway.....though I consider myself to be highly developed (in certain departments, anyway), I just can't quite get a grasp on commercial development. I took a little road trip to National Harbor today to see what's what before Mr. Disney comes to town. As far as the Disney empire arriving in our area, well that's a discussion for another time. Having grown up 15 minutes away from Disneyland (depending on who's doing the driving, that is), I have a rather complicated love/hate relationship with them that my therapist and I continue to explore.
Well anyway.....I am not sure I understand the concept of National Harbor. Granted, it isn't finished yet so I shouldn't pass judgement, but then where's the fun? It seems that in building this faux community, they forgot the community. There are currently three condominium complexes and no doubt more on the way (but at what prices?), a convention center, hotels, and a smattering of restaurants, cafes, and shops, all of which are chains. There is, however, no neighborhood. There is nothing intrinsic or organic to the area. There lacks that certain je ne sais quoi that makes one (or at least me) want to visit and explore a new place. Sigh! At least there wasn't a Starbucks.......yet.
Well anyway.....
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In this day and age, it really is unconscionable to be wasteful. Before throwing anything away, we are beholden to ask ourselves if there is any way to turn our old goods into something new to reduce our ever growing landfills.
With this in mind, I offer up my version of the four R's. Zoe Stern of S&A Beads designed the necklace using blue pearls, Scott Stanga of The Stillpoint Mind and Body who, along with being Old Takoma's most sought after personal trainer is also a very talented silversmith, set the centerpiece of the necklace, and Samir Naik, DDS provided said centerpiece. Yes, Dr. Naik is my dentist and the focus of the necklace is indeed my tooth. Or, more specifically, my fourth and final (here's hoping) temporary crown. Oh, don't be so squeamish! It was professionally cleaned and polished.
Suffice it to say, there is a much less expensive and destructive way to deal with the stress of everyday life than grinding one's teeth, but having learned that lesson a day late and thousands of dollars short, at least I have a rather elegant looking memento to show for it. And the renewed ability to chew.
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Oh, if only I were a child again! Then I, too, could crawl through the giant caterpillar tunnel, jump on the trampoline, roll around on the cushioned floor and pretend I was playing fort.
Misu Byrd opened Roda Playspace in April, envisioning a place where a parent (or two) and a child (or several) can come together for a few hours during the week to play, laugh, roll around on the floor and connect.
Sharing not only the same space as Roda Movements, but also the same guiding spirit, joy and love of teaching, Roda Playspace is designed to get the littlest ones bouncing, tumbling, moving and grooving. Mom and Dad, too!
Roda Playspace * 7003 Carroll Avenue * Takoma Park, MD 20912 * 301-920-4057
Tuesdays and Thursdays * 10:00 am - 1:00 pm * Ages 4 months to 3 1/2 years
for more information, please visit www.rodaplayspace.com
]]>Hey Folks,
Just to update you on all that is going on. We have been busy with the opening of the General Store and Post Office Tavern as many of you know. But we are also focused on completing the renovation at 7001 Carroll Avenue.
We completed the demolition of the space in December and much of the plumbing work began at that time. While our carpenter prepared to remove the skylights so that the space could have sufficient HVAC using the skylight openings, he discovered that some portions of the roof needed to be repaired. There were also some leaks uncovered. This has added increased costs and delays as I have written to many of you who have inquired.
As is often the case in buildings of this age, once you remove all that the previous occupants added on, you find a costly can of worms. We have had the roof repaired as much as makes sense right now. The remaining repairs will be completed once the HVAC system has been installed. We have also found that the water and electric service for many of the building's tenants go through our space. It has been complicated and has taken some extra work to make sure that the phone, electric and sewer lines are all doing what they are supposed to be doing.
We have been approved for our building permit and for WSSC (plumbing), so we are really read to go and feel that with a solid three months we can be ready to move the equipment and furniture in. However, the original lender for the project, Colombo Bank, is concerned that the construction issues that have arisen have resulted in the project being over budget. In February, they requested a review of the project and several meetings with our project manager. We believe that we are close to satisfying the bank's needs (they are in the midst of a merger and need to make sure all of the loans in their files are going to work out) and close to getting the additional financing to finish the project.
The bad news is that we are experiencing considerable delays. The good news is that we are very close to getting back on track and are happy to report that the landlord is being very cooperative and working with us to see the project through. We are hoping to be open in October.
--Gillian
(reprinted from May 5, 2009 email)
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Throughout the Spring and Summer there is a new neighbor at the Takoma Park Farmer's Market. Stone Hearth Bakery, whose home base is in Frederick, will occupy the space that has been home to Takoma Kitchens for over twenty-five years.
Takoma Kitchens, farmer's markets across the region, and Takoma Park as a whole suffered a great loss with the death of John Hyde this past March. As the business takes time to take stock, Stone Hearth will be in that familiar space with their fine selection of European breads, croissants, cookies, tarts and pies and with the possibility of a permanent place at the market.
So stop by and welcome them to the neighborhood. Show our new friends in Frederick what the Takoma Park community spirit is all about.
Stone Hearth Bakery * 138 N. East Street * Frederick, MD * 21701 * 301-662-2338
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I had the most enjoyable evening last night at the New Deal Cafe. Located in the Roosevelt Center in Greenbelt, the cafe is a mere hop, skip and a jump away from Takoma Park. Aside from its storied WPA history, what makes this cafe stand apart from all others is its extensive events program.
Taking the stage last night was the Covington String Quartet (full disclosure - the viola player is a friend). Founded in 2001, the quartet provided a magnificent evening of classical music. There is something quite civilized about enjoying a glass of wine, listening to a little Bela Bartok and knitting among friends and an appreciative audience. And appreciative we were when the 1910 Thomas Edison version of Frankenstein was projected on a large screen to the accompaniment of an original work commissioned by the quartet specifically for this film from Japanese composer Yukiko Nishimura.
I may be a day late and a dollar short in "discovering" this gem, but with it's mediterranean influenced menu, proximity to the Greenbelt Theatre, class offerings and musical performances, many return visits to the New Deal Cafe are definitely in the offing.
New Deal Cafe * 113 Centerway * Greenbelt, MD * 20770 * 301-474-5642 *
www.covingtonstringquartet.com
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Creativity and artistic vision are not exactly my forte. I know what I like when I see it, but as far as bringing anything to fruition - be it a floral arrangement, painting, photograph or design piece - I defer to the professionals.
As you might imagine, working at Now & Then and being a friend of S & A Beads, my personal style (if you could call it that) has evolved. Basically, my jewelry now complements what I am wearing....or at the very least tries desperately to.
Of course, disposable income is a bit hard to come by these days, so instead of purchasing new pieces I have emptied out the jewelry box and revisited some older pieces that, with Zoe, Cheryl and Emily's eye for flair, are no longer collecting dust and have become staples of my wardrobe once again.
These are painted wood beads that belonged to my Great Aunt Gracie. It was one long strand with a hook clasp that always came undone.
Zoe restrung the beads to make it shorter and gave it a modern clasp that would hold. She then took the extra beads and made matching earrings.
Now everytime I wear this, which is now quite often, I have a beautiful reminder of my great aunt.
The centerpiece of this necklace is from American Craft. It was set so it could either be worn as a pin or as a necklace. As I am more apt to wear a necklace, Zoe strung beads that bring out the colors of, and focus your eyes on, the glass. Again, she made matching earrings to complete the look.
Having and wearing this piece is tangible reminder of American Craft and a bit of Takoma Park history.
Originally, this necklace consisted only of the rectangular piece of sterling silver you see at the center and was on a simple, classic chain. As the chain was too short (or my neck to........), I decided that instead of elongating the chain, I wanted a little extra somethin' somethin'. Emily created this piece using garnets and pearls - garnets being my birthstone. As for the pearls? Well, as we all know, every gal needs a good set of pearls in her accessories repertoire.
A scavanger hunt through one's jewelry box not only elicits a bit of family history and treasured memories, but affords the opportunity to revisit your favorite pieces and give them new life with just a bit of tweaking and a fertile imagination.
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