The Public Opinion Soapbox

Unbelievable · Joined: 23 Oct 2007 Posts: 19 Location: New Franklin

I enjoy the different displays that the Council for the Arts has downtown. The miniatures show is usually my favorite.

Now they have a 'gift shop' of sorts with art from locals. Have you been there? It's nice.

Too bad they don't have more space. They seem cramped in that little area and sort of like the 'stepchild' of the Capitol Theatre tucked in the side as an afterthought.

Do you think the store can survive? Do you think it would thrive if in a larger and more accessible location?

I used to browse through Thomas June Artisans when it was downtown too. I liked the variety. I haven't been to their relocated place yet though.

Any thoughts?

Sorry - forgot to add the little pdf link: http://www.thebenedictco.com/council/downloads/kaleid_go.pdf

The flyer is old.
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.45chel · Joined: 26 Oct 2007 Posts: 3043 Location: Chambersburg

I going to have to check them out within the next three weeks...I was thinking next week but with Thanksgiving cooking & baking and Black Friday shopping it will probably be the week after.

I appreciate you dropping the link and providing the info...I'm always looking for stores that carry unique and original retail!
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cookieclaygirl · Joined: 03 Dec 2007 Posts: 2136 Location: shippensburg

the downtown used to be bustling with action, but those days have passed. revitalization would be key, but parking was/is the main prob (and the lack of stores to keep shoppers interest, imo)...

i think a lot of this area's problem is the unwillingness to change.

take towns like charlotteville, va or state college...their down towns do well...put some interesting shops, good food, ample parking, community events and the community feels welcome.

we've lost a lot of our shops. eyerly's used to be downtown (now bon ton)...lots of stores that my mom shopped at when she was little that were interesting sounding are gone...the art center's closed. we're down to 1 used book store (hows about a nice new bookstore, maybe that sells some indie titles)....first nights, like gettysburg would be cool...IF we had more 'artsy' shops/galleries....coffee shops, etc. trendy clothing stores, to lure the 'youngsters' in like S.C.....what about a market? like carlisle's indoor (& very nice) farmers market (not to detract from jim's of course)...or on the lines of a Whole Foods...that could do well in the area.

change may be scary, but if something isn't done, we'll def. lose the downtown.

just my thoughts on "can the store survive"....my final thought? maybe it can. but maybe it won't....

Jo · Joined: 10 Dec 2007 Posts: 112 Location: Chambersburg

Not to cause dispute, but there are 2 used bookstores downtown:
Twice read on South Main near the square and Northwood on North Main across from Wogan's
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A Talking Horse · Joined: 22 Oct 2007 Posts: 143 Location: Cove Gap

cookieclaygirl · Joined: 03 Dec 2007 Posts: 2136 Location: shippensburg

cookieclaygirl · Joined: 03 Dec 2007 Posts: 2136 Location: shippensburg

cookieclaygirl · Joined: 03 Dec 2007 Posts: 2136 Location: shippensburg

Jo · Joined: 10 Dec 2007 Posts: 112 Location: Chambersburg

We need a good new bookstore - I agree 100%

The one that closed was Mason's down by Molly Pitcher. I quit going there years ago when I walked in the door and bugs scurried out from the stack of books I was looking at. I know it happens when people donate to used bookstores, but EWWWW!

Twice Read is still open. It's by the Pizza Factory and that little do-dad shop bodega thing.

Northwood is definitely the better one. Amy, the owner, knows her stuff about books and art and has a good system going. Got my Sherlock Holmes leather bounds there. Good deal too!
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Me thinks that the moment my legs begin to move, my thoughts begin to flow. ~ Henry David Thoreau on hiking

cookieclaygirl · Joined: 03 Dec 2007 Posts: 2136 Location: shippensburg

cookieclaygirl · Joined: 03 Dec 2007 Posts: 2136 Location: shippensburg