A few months ago downtown South Berwick was looking a little depressed with five empty storefronts, but now things are picking up. First, the Early Bird Cafe moved in and now there is more encouraging activity going on downtown.
Portico Realty is now in the office on Main St. next to Asia Cafe.
Rivers Digital, formerly of Dover, [...]
Posts under ‘Economic Development’
Seen and Heard in downtown South Berwick
Rockin’ Rooster coming to town
There seems to be a bird theme happening in South Berwick. First the Early Bird Cafe opened and now the Rockin’ Rooster on Main St. next to Town Hall is scheduled to open in August. I’ve been curious about the Rockin’ Rooster since their sign went up so the other day when I saw people [...]
The Early Bird flies into South Berwick
I don’t know about you, but I’ve been really curious about what’s been happening in the storefront on Main Street that was recently vacated by Sobo Book & Bean. Every time I walk by lately I’ve been peeking in and seeing the transformation inside: new paint, shining floors, a new arrangement of the counter, more [...]
This week at Town Hall: June 22, 2009
Tuesday, June 23
South Berwick Transportation Feasibility Study
7:00 PM – Auditorium Hall
Consultants will be presenting draft recommendations and gathering input.
Some of the latest draft information and plans are posted on the Southern Maine Regional Planning Commission’s web site:
Phasing Plan (6/17/09)
Proposed [...]
EDC releases Economic Development Priorities report
The Town’ s Economic Development Committee (EDC) has released a report with recommendations for economic development strategies for South Berwick. Last the EDC began a process to assist them to get a better understanding of what people in the community want for economic development, and to provide a strategic direction for the Town. The [...]
Buy Local: 100% in Your Own Backyard Campaign
May 13th through June 6th
THE CAMPAIGN: The Greater York Region Chamber of Commerce is challenging all southern Maine residents to spend 100% in their own home town over the next few weeks! Below you will find a survey to complete. The Chamber wants to know what you couldn’t find in your own backyard for services [...]
What’s New Downtown: Price Point Eyewear
I should call this article “Price Point Eyewear saves the day.” Last Saturday morning I was running around getting ready for the Library book sale and I had that dreaded experience that glasses wearers fear. I took a step and felt something foreign under my foot. It was my glasses, lens out, bow bent, and [...]
What’s New Downtown: Union Store #79
If you haven’t had a chance to check out one of the newer additions to Main St., stop in soon to see what Union Store #79 has to offer. Described as a gift & thrift store, it offers gently used furniture, housewares, toys, and clothing as well as locally made jewelry and gifts. It’s a [...]
Parking Chronicles & a License Plate Count
Wednesday, April 15, 2:09 PM. A quiet time downtown with plenty of parking spots to choose.
Wednesday, April 15, 7:03 PM. Back downtown again for a dinner with friends at Pepperland. I parked in front of McIntire McCooey Funeral Home so I could have a little walk before and after dinner. Good thing too, because I [...]
Parking Chronicles April 14, 2009
Saturday, April 11, 2009 3:30 PM
I went into town on Saturday afternoon to South Berwick Pharmacy and Nature’s Way Market. Cars were coming and going and there was a choice of parking spots.
Tuesday, April 14, 2008, 8:25 AM
During a quick trip to the Post Office and Nature’s Way Market I hit downtown during the morning [...]
Parking Chronicles April 10,2009
South Berwick resident Gretchen Straub sent me some pictures of the parking situation at around 5 PM on Friday, April 10. She says,
“It really is packed downtown around 5!
I don’t know what everybody else is doing down there but I know that I am always searching for a spot so I can go into [...]
Parking Chronicles April 9, 2009
April 9, 2009, 7:40 AM. Destination: Nature's Way Market and Post Office mailbox. Parking: Directly in front of Nature's Way Market, walked to Post Office while waiting for market to open. Travel time: From center of town to my house south of downtown (2.6 miles) six minutes.
Last night I [...]
Achieving Dreams and Reflecting Values: Economic Development in South Berwick
At its next regular meeting, the South Berwick Economic Development Committee will hear from consultants Chuck Lawton and Frank O’Hara of Planning Decisions about possible strategies for the Town that would both meet the demands of the marketplace and the interests and values of residents. The meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, April 8, 2009, in [...]
Seacoast Local launches the 10% shift campaign to strengthen local economy
Seacoast Local has joined with other similar organizations through New England to call for residents to shift 10% of their purchases to locally owned independent businesses. On Wednesday, March 18, Seacoast Local launched the 10% Shift on the Seacoast. Read more about it at the Seacoast Local web site. The site also includes links to [...]
CPSIA threatens The Little Hat Company
The Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act (CPSIA) is sweeping new legislation that was passed with overwhelming support in both the U.S. House and Senate last summer in the wake of fears about imported products containing lead, including children’s clothing and toys. CPSIA creates new requirements for product testing and labeling for a wide range of [...]
Cooperative South Berwick
Something else from my inbox. As I’ve been out and about I’ve heard lots of mentions about the idea of developing cooperatives in South Berwick. Some have discussed it as a way to get needed businesses, like a hardware story, into South Berwick. Others have discussed it as a way to keep important but struggling [...]
Buy Local Challenge: Why go local?
I just got this article from Seacoast Local, a nonprofit whose mission is promoting dynamic and sustainable community on the seacoast. If you are like most Americans, you are thinking more about how you are spending your money these days. Seacoast Local offers some reasons why spending that money locally makes sense.
Why go local for [...]
Buy Local: Incentives for Staying Local
Local merchants have joined together to launch an initiative to encourage shoppers to buy local by offering savings and gifts. Support these locally owned independent businesses that contribute to our local economy. Click on the image below for full size printable coupons.
The 2008 Buy Local Challenge: Week One
South Berwick is fortunate to have many locally owned independent businesses that provide goods and services to residents and that are good citizens. These businesses add to the tax base, employ people, and participate and contribute to community life. During this downturn in the economy, our local businesses are being tested and need our support. [...]
Reminder: Join the conversation on economic development
The Economic Development Committee (EDC) invites you to attend their meeting tonight at 6:30 with Frank O’Hara from Planning Decisions.
Come Talk Business
Wednesday, November 12, 2008
6:30 – 8:30 PM
Town Hall Auditorium
What values should inform economic development in South Berwick?
Come hear the results of local survey from Frank O’Hara of Planning Decisions.
Discuss how economic development [...]
Mark your calendar: Invitation from the EDC
The Economic Development Committee (EDC) invites you to attend their meeting on November 12th at 6:30 with Frank O’Hara from Planning Decisions.
Come Talk Business
Wednesday, November 12, 2008
6:30 – 8:30 PM
Town Hall Auditorium
What values should inform economic development in South Berwick?
Come hear the results of local survey from Frank O’Hara of Planning Decisions.
Discuss how [...]
Update: Executive Summary of Economic Development Survey
Note from Mike Lassel:
This executive summary reflects the key points and ideas expressed in the recent Economic Development Committee (EDC) survey. The full report will be on the town’s web page in the next couple of days. It is very interesting reading and you will find many common threads and ideas expressed [...]
Good Things: Community Conversation
Tonight there was a great turnout to hear Stacy Mitchell, researcher on strong local economies and author of “Big Box Swindle.” She discussed the hidden costs of big box chain stores, including costs for public services, costs for consumers forced to do more driving to shop, net losses of local retail jobs, and the outflow [...]
To Do List: Building a Strong Local Economy
Don’t miss this! Come learn how South Berwick can build a strong local economy. If South Berwick is to thrive, we need citizens who are informed and involved.
Wednesday, October 22, 7 pm, Town Hall, Main Street, South Berwick
Stacy Mitchell, national expert in strong local economies and author of “Big Box Swindle” is coming to [...]
Update from Mike Lassel about South Berwick’s Economic Development Survey
The following is a letter from Mike Lassel:
The Town Council and the EDC (Economic Development Committee) have put forward various economic initiatives over the past several years which have received limited public support. Listening to the public we have started a process that everyone can participate in. In order to move forward, the EDC recently [...]
Good Things: Keep the green local
Local merchants have joined together to launch an initiative to encourage shoppers to buy local by offering savings and gifts. Participating merchants are Revive Skin Spa, South Berwick Yoga, the little hat company, ChildLight Yoga, Doodlebugz Studio, and Nature’s Way Market. Support these locally owned independent businesses that contribute to our local economy. Click on [...]
To Do List: Strengthening South Berwick’s Downtown
Stacy Mitchell, national expert in strong local economies and author of “Big Box Swindle” is coming to South Berwick to talk about how towns can expand their economies in a way that is good for the community.
Sponsored by Seacoast Buy Local, SmartGrowth South Berwick and Kennebunk Savings Bank
7 pm October 22, Town [...]
To Do List: South Berwick Networking
Are you a business owner in South Berwick or a surrounding town? Then you are invited to a South Berwick Networking meeting to meet and mingle with other business owners tonight, Wednesday, August 13th at 6pm at Dogsxo, LLC Dog Day Camp, 297 Route 236, S. Berwick, ME. Find out more at the South Berwick [...]
Zoning 101: Land Uses and Dimensional Requirements
The Planning Board is considering rezoning Main Street between Dunkin Donuts and Sewall Road from its current designation as R1 (Residential) to B1 (Business). There will be a public hearing on the issue on September 16. In preparation for the hearing the 236diner is offering information about zoning so citizens can learn more about the [...]
Zoning 101: South Berwick’s Zoning Ordinance
The Planning Board is currently considering rezoning Main Street between Dunkin Donuts and Sewall Road from its current designation as R1 (Residential) to B1 (Business). There will be a public hearing on the issue on September 16. In preparation for the hearing the 236diner will be offering some information about zoning so citizens can learn [...]
