Where Everybody Knows Your Name

In the age of big box stores, chain restaurants, and strip malls, it’s getting increasingly difficult to find and hang onto a sense of community. When my son was born, I knew that I wanted him to experience my hometown in a way that would foster a sense of appreciation and loyalty and make him feel compelled to fight for it one day.

And so we avoid the chains and shopping centers as much as we can. We spend our time and money instead in downtown York, an area that has overcome much but still has far to go in its renaissance.

I often say that witnessing downtown revitalization in York has been like being underwater and watching air bubbles rise toward the surface. It feels like there are more and more bubbles all the time, and they’re all about to break the surface at once. And we’re fortunate to have a front row seat. I have sat on boards and committees for organizations and projects that address needs and issues relevant to the City, and the downtown district in particular.

And much of our free time is spent just hanging out and enjoying all the downtown has to offer. We have been unaffected by the concerns and misconceptions that keep many people from visiting downtown (crime and lack of parking are two of the biggest perceived barriers; neither have ever presented a problem for us).

When my son pulls up a stool at Mezzogiorno inside York’s Central Market House, they bring him his usual drink without him having to order. Other customers greet him, ask how basketball is going this season and whether he’s started piano lessons yet. When we’ve finished eating, we stop at some of his favorite market stands, if not to purchase anything, at least to say hello. We catch up with friends and acquaintances, and a few of the homeless guys who we know from the time they spend in the market, the library, and one of our favorite downtown parks. Then we meander around the block, stopping by some of our favorite shops, where everyone greets us by name. This does not happen when we run errands in the suburban shopping centers. Ever.

Having a minor league baseball team in town has further strengthened the familiar, neighborhood feeling of our downtown. The staff greets us – again, by name – when we enter the stadium, and we run into tons of people we know while we walk around the concourse. We purchase a partial season ticket package each year, so we’ve gotten to know the people who sit near us, as well. I love the social interaction I get from the ballgames, without having to sacrifice family time. And having a home team to root for does wonders for bringing a town together.

We come downtown for special events like outdoor concerts and the annual holiday tree-lighting ceremony. We go to shows and film screenings at the Strand-Capitol Performing Arts Center. We volunteer to help install mosaic murals, plant flowers, clean up litter on sidewalks and in parks, and serve occasional meals at the Rescue Mission.

With limited time and financial resources, it’s important to us to buy local and support these businesses and community initiatives that have brought meaningful interactions and depth to our lives. I have built both powerful business relationships and lasting friendships through my love of downtown York.

I believe in our downtown - and in its potential - and will do what I can to help it, in my own small ways, to grow and flourish. And I know that one day, whether he lives here or not, my son will continue to support downtown revitalization, too.