TAKOMA PARK, MD – After years of residents expressing disappointment that new businesses are not the businesses they personally wanted, city officials announced the formation of the Community Business Council (CBC) to ensure that future commercial activity meets the exacting standards of the community.
“We noticed a pattern,” said the city manager. “Someone announces a new business, and within 24 hours, residents are asking why it isn’t a healing crystal store, or a non-profit incubator, or a vegan cooperative, or something that existed in 1987. We decided it was time to formalize the process.”
Under the new system, every proposed business will undergo a comprehensive CBC review before being permitted to open. Residents will be invited to submit comments explaining why the business is unnecessary, incompatible with Takoma Park values, or better suited for Silver Spring.
The CBC will be composed of four community representatives: a prohibitionist, a vegan, a member of Historic Takoma to make sure the business name references early Takoma Park folklore, and some guy with two poodles. City officials emphasized that the individuals will be selected not for their business experience, but for their demonstrated ability to object to things.
The CBC will evaluate businesses based on several criteria, including whether the establishment is sufficiently local, sustainable, far enough from homes, but close enough to parking. Businesses that meet all criteria may still be rejected if they have the potential to become so popular they they attract people who don’t live in Takoma Park.
“We want to preserve the unique, creative, and diverse character of Takoma Park,” said longtime resident Clayton Rockwell. “Which is why we need to make sure every new business is exactly the kind of business I would have chosen.”
Many agreed, saying the city desperately needs more restaurants, provided they are cheap, never busy, not too modern, and not so fancy that they serve any dishes not found in a 1978 Betty Crocker cookbook.
Another resident, Barbara Feldman, 72, said the city should return to the “good old days” when Takoma Park had businesses that really served the community.
“I still remember the old general store café,” Feldman said wistfully. “They had everything. Hardware, VHS tapes, newspapers, a little lunch counter. It was the heart of the neighborhood. Sure, they closed because nobody went there, but that’s not the point. You can’t put a price on nostalgia.”
This week, the CBC announced their very first decision for a proposed business, Milepost 7 Pub on Flower Avenue. The business was ultimately approved, but owner Brad Feickert had mixed feelings.
“I was super excited to fulfill my lifelong dream of opening a neighborhood pub right here in Takoma Park,” said Feickert. “But I’ve been informed that I’m going to be opening a gardening supply store instead. Luckily all these kegs can be repurposed as rain barrels.”
Chef and Restauranteur Bred Feickert plans to open Milepost 7 Pub Compost 7 Hub later this month at 8000 Flower Ave in Takoma Park, taking over the former Mansa Kunda space. The neighborhood pub garden supply shop will offer fair prices on native plants, daily happy-hour tool demonstrations, weekend mulch deliveries, and a self-serve compost shop.
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