While Feldman's clears out all of their vendors, other locations have completely shut down and the For Lease Signs are on almost every single building on the Downtown Plaza. This is clearly a sign of the times ahead. It's no wonder Barrie Tilghman is bowing out now. They say you should quit while you're ahead. In Barrie's case it's quit after you've screwed every single taxpayer into near Bankruptcy and the put a Bankruptcy Expert, (Comegys) on the Ballot to replace her. Makes sense to me. How about you?
15 comments:
You've summed it up, Joe.
Now we need to figure out what we can do to change the situation.
Clearly we can't depend on the "powers that be" to do anything, or at least anything helpful or useful. They'll certainly continue to screw up a perfectly good town, as long as they're in power.
What a shame for us all.
Considering that Feldmans is now unsafe, shouldn't it be torn down? Or is Salisbury going to let it deteriorate and affect other businesses like the movie theatre did.
Joe, I can see you buying this place and single handedly turning the plaza around and sell it at a nice profit. It has potential.
I would have loved to open up my small business on the plaza however here is why -
1. I was a little nervous of the homeless people
who hung out after dark and I would have to
work after hours in my office.
2. I would see wine bottles and smell urine at times
when I would walk down through the plaza.
3. Parking would be a nightmare for my clients.
4. The rent for a small space was more than I was
paying for an office space twice the size and
could not understand why the owner was being
so greedy.
5. The upside was it was close to Parker Place and
she is one great business owner. If every small
business owner was like her, there would be a
lot more businesses still surviving!
I've already considered buying Feldman's but I spoke directly with the Historical people in Baltimore and they won't let me tear down the 3 story building, so I'm NOT interested. I wanted to tear it all down and build condos on the River right there.
Once the rent comes down, and a business can actually afford to do business downtown, things will turn around, until then....nada.
anonymous 8:37, I disagree in many ways.
1. There are no homeless people hanging around on the Plaza. Yes, they pass through every so often but they pass through everywhere in every City in the Nation. They're harmless. When is the last time you hear od ANYONE being attacked locally by a homeless person?
2. Absolutely untrue! I'm on that Plaza every day of the week and never once have I smelled urine. I've never smelled it and I've never seen it and I can guarantee you I'm on the Plaza more often than you.
3. Can't argue that at all.
4. Completely untrue. There's a space available across from my building that is small and it will blow you away how inexpensive that space is.
5. Again, can't argue that one.
What a shame!! I live in a rural area and years ago my mother and I used to take the town bus as it was called, into Salisbury where it would drop us off downtown infront of Reads Drugstore. There we would spend an entire day shopping at places like Woolworths,Montgomery Ward ,McCorys.JC Penney, Watson's Smoke house {where you bought your 45 lp records},I loved the snack bar at Woolworths. We might, catch a movie at Wicomico theater then pick up some groceries at the A & P . All these places plus more were downtown.Catch the bus at the court house for the return trip and call it a day. Those were the days. Then came the Mall in 1968 and farewell to the downtown merchants. I would love to see the plaza restored but I don't see it happening!
I understand wanting to tear down buildings that are old. The "Old Synagogue" is a historic building and should not be torn down. The "Old Synagogue" was the center of Jewish life on the eastern shore. It is the second synagogue built on the eastern shore. The synagogue in Pocomoke is the first one built.
Yael,
I own the old Synagogue Bldg. It was only a Synagogue for 10 years of its 120 year old existence, so you know. Nevertheless, that building is like brand new inside and is very structurally sound. It's not going anywhere.
the downtown plaza has been a problem since I was a kid (in the 70's). nothing new there. from the RUDAT work in the 80's and now. Nothing new here.
I looked at space on the plaza for my business before I opted for space elsewhere in town. The reasons were cost for what the space was. I paid $900 a month for 1200sq ft with utilities included. On the plaza they offered 400sq ft for $500 a month + utilities. I had plenty of parking and easy access in the other location. On the plaza parking and access is limited at best. I kept my store open until 8pm and had customers coming in until closing. On the plaza the sidewalk is rolled up at 5pm and on weekends. I know I could do very well on the plaza if the climate were different. Maybe with the new administration, new and fresh ideas the plaza will come alive again. Then I might consider relocating to the plaza.
There is a deal that is almost done on the Feldman's building. A call center will open there and they will bring in a small cafe type rest. and other amenities. I heard they will employ over 100 people there. The entire site will be repaired and improved. It should be nice. SWED is involved, along with the state of md, bank of delmarva and a local contractor. Should be announced soon.
I think it's a real shame that the businesses who have windows FACING the municipal parking don't do anything with it. If there were some draws in THOSE spaces, maybe people would park and explore the plaxa. Since parking is one of the main problems ont eh plaza, I think they should toss the places that are failing in the spots with parking access, and put some good restaurants and stores there.
Well of course the Bank of Delmarva is involved. Barrie and Matt are the biggest stock holders. Not much conflict there, is it? This call center must be the one Shanie keeps talking about that is going to pay so much money the employees are going to run right out and buy those homes being built on Jersey Road at $175k and up...on their $7 per hour paycheck. In your dreams Shanie.
This would be a great place for the mayor to get the knorr boys to turn around and save face with running them out our town a couple months ago on the advice of a public works department that is anything but pro-business!!!!!
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