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 [...]
Posts under ‘Placemaking’
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 [...]
Guest Essay: Jen Houghton – A Place to Plant Roots
Recently South Berwick resident Jennifer Houghton, owner of Little Hat Company and parent of three, mentioned to me how great it is to be raising children in South Berwick. She agreed to share her thoughts here at the 236 Diner.
In a world that seems to be spinning faster, it’s a wonderful opportunity to bring up [...]
Economic Development: Quality of Place and Job Growth
South Berwick has begun a community conversation about economic development. (See earlier article about this initiative.) To stimulate thinking, knowledge, and ideas the 236 diner will be offering information and links to a variety of research, reports, and case studies about economic development. This is the first in that series.
Quality of Place and [...]
Placemaking: A Library as a “Third Place”
Ray Oldenburg, an urban sociologist writes about the importance of “third places” for healthy functioning of communities. He describes third places as
“informal public gathering places. The phrase “third places” derives from considering our homes to be the “first” places in our lives, and our work places the “second.”
Americans long enjoyed third places in [...]
