|
|
Downtown's future gets sweeter
By Johnathan C. Ryan - Reporter The Lancaster News October 18, 2006
With new
landscaping coming, a new business opening and another staying put,
downtown Lancaster's future is looking rosy.
"It's just a step-by-step pro-cess," said Frank Keel, executive
director of See Lancaster, on the general state of the downtown area.
"But things are looking up for downtown."
On Monday, Hannah Mariah's Bakery & Cafe, 208 S. Main St., became
downtown Lancaster's first bakery in many years, making the future
appear even "sweeter."
"Over the next few months, you'll see some changes in
downtown," Keel said.
A bakery, at last
Hannah Mariah's owner, Cecilia McIlwain, recently moved her
bakery/sandwich shop from Heath Springs to be closer to its
catering clientele, and fill a long overdue niche in Lancaster.
Movers and shakers here seem to feel the same.
"Lancaster has been beyond supportive. So has Mayor
(Joe) Shaw," McIlwain said. |
Mariah McIlwain, 2,
peers into one of the glass cases filled with freshly baked
goodies at Hannah Mariah's Bakery & Cafe on Main Street
during Monday morning's reception following a ribbon-cutting
ceremony. Cecilia McIlwain recently moved the business to
downtown Lancaster from Heath Springs. Johnathan C.
Ryan/Reporter |
The bakery, which also
serves an array of sandwiches and hot-lunch plates, fits in well
with See Lancaster's Charrette, or strategic road map. Above all
else, the road map calls for more downtown restaurants, emphasizing
how elemental a bakery is for small-town quaintness.
"I am so excited
about it," said Mandy Powers-Norrell, head of the downtown's
merchant's association. "When we were presented with the
Charrette a few years ago, we were told we could use a bakery. So
many people remember the old bakery downtown."
Powers-Norrell is one of them, remembering visiting it as a girl
with her family.
"Whenever you get a new business, it's a sense of
renewal," she said. "I'm especially excited that it's
a bakery."
McIlwain likes the space, which is close to prominent downtown
employers.
"It's beautiful," she said. "It's like
stepping into a little cafe in Italy."
Many well-wishers were on hand for a private opening at 8
a.m. Monday morning, including Mayor Joe Shaw, with a
mayoral proclamation. Attendees got to sample various
pastries and quiche.
"We welcome small businesses," Shaw said.
"They are the backbone of our economy and they make
downtown thrive."
McIlwain's daughter, Hannah, 7, helped serve the
attendees.
"I am so excited about it," McIlwain said.
"Lancaster has been so supportive."
Coffeehouse won't be closing its doors
Although David Payne, co-owner of Cop-A-Squat
Coffeehouse, was ready to leave downtown this
summer due to poor sales and dissatisfaction
with city ordinances, he is planning to stay put
for now.
The business is going into its busiest season,
and he still feels drawn to downtown
Lancaster.
Payne said Hannah Mariah's is "probably
the most awesome thing for downtown
Lancaster" and hopes downtown merchants
can work together.
He thinks that's possible, due in part to
Keel's efforts at bringing in new
businesses that accent each other, rather
than compete.
"My hat's off to Frank Keel,"
Payne said. "He's getting it done
and the people on his team are getting
it done."
Payne said his corporation will be
opening a new store in either Rock
Hill or Conway next year.
"One of the reasons we'll be
opening a new store is to bring in
the income to keep this store
open," he said.
More in the works
Keel said he is working on two
more business projects for
Lancaster, saying desires are
equal on both sides to enter the
downtown market, despite
"obstacles to work
through."
He wouldn't speak on the
nature of the businesses.
Powers-Norrell still wants
to see a new business occupy
space available in the old
Bank of Lancaster, which she
and her husband, Mitch, own.
But she says it won't be a
wine bar, despite the rumor
circulating.
Merchants group breaks the
ice
Powers-Norrell, who
leads the new downtown
merchants association,
said the group is
getting off to a good
start, kicking around
points of view and
reaching compromises.
In time, she doesn't
feel it will be hard
speaking with one
voice to City Council
on issues of concern
despite some
"strong
personalities."
"We all agree
on almost
everything,"
Powers-Norrell said,
although there's
been "a lot of
give and take."
Concerns include
how to market all
their businesses,
as well as
addressing
controversial city
ordinances on
signs and
sidewalks.
"I can
already see some
things coming
from it,"
Powers-Norrell
said.
The group
meets on the
second and
fourth
Tuesdays of
the month at
the Springs
House, 201 W.
Gay St. On the
second
Tuesday, the
meeting is at
8:30 a.m., and
the fourth
Tuesday's
meeting is
held at 5:30
p.m. All
downtown
business
owners are
welcome.
Contact
Johnathan Ryan
at 416-8416 or jryan@thelancasternews.com
Article
© The
Lancaster News,
reprinted with
permission.
|
