Sunday Gazette-Mail

August 14, 2005

Opinion

Renaissance

Charleston’ charm

It’s good to see a variety of shopkeepers investing in Charleston’s quaint commercial district with its historic village motif.

Showcase West Virginia is the most recent shop to move to Charleston’s pleasant and walkable downtown.

Coffee Bean and Teays Art Emporium also relocated recently, both also from the Charleston Town Center. While we wish the mall well in finding good tenants, we are also pleased to see some variety moving into Charleston’s midtown storefronts – too many of which still are vacant.

Lawyers and other professionals know downtown is a good place to be. A number of reliable lunch spots and a few elegant dinner options have also found success downtown. Taylor Books has been an anchor for good books, good coffee and society for a decade. But old stores closed, leaving people who enjoy walking the brick sidewalks and the tree-lined streets with fewer options for other kinds of shopping.

Now, it’s good to see a variety of shopkeepers investing in Charleston’s quaint commercial district with its historic village motif. In the space of a short and pleasant walk, visitors can visit the public library, go to the post office, browse for gifts and look at art, as well as shop for art supplies, fine chocolates, gourmet coffee and countless other niceties.

Maybe the return of life to the former heart of Charleston would be enhanced if City Council can find an alternative to harassing leisurely weekend shoppers with parking tickets. The city should do everything possible to augment the wholesome growth that is occurring.