This past Saturday night, a special celebration was held in the town where I live.  Called “Christmas in Clear Spring”, it was an evening of old-fashioned, small-town, holiday events (the town has population of only 399 people) that is held once every three years and put on by the local Garden Club.

All of the local residents took special care putting up their Christmas lights this year (to help decorate for the event – plus there were prizes for the “best displays”), and there were music performances throughout the night at all of the churches in town (even a live nativity).  There was an artisan market, horse drawn carriage rides, luminaries, a “chicken and waffle” supper, and so much more.  The few local businesses in town were all busy, and even small, “one-night only” pop-up shops (like a local antique dealer) all saw lots of foot traffic and holiday buyers.

The streets were filled will people all enjoying a night out in our little town, stopping to chat with friends, cups of hot chocolate and coffee being huddled over in conversation.  There were bags of goodies being carried to and fro, and laughter could be heard all along the chilly streets.

In other words, the town was alive.

It was enchanting, nostalgic, and quaint – like a Norman Rockwell portrait or a Thomas Kinkade painting.

It’s not always like that.

Most nights, the only foot traffic you’ll see is a lone person walking their dog down the street or someone hopping out of their truck in front of the package liquor store downtown to grab a 12-pack of beer on their way home from work.

Sure, “Christmas in Clear Spring” was a special event, but couldn’t more nights be like it?

Clear Spring used to have a thriving downtown – as recently as thirty years ago.  There were restaurants, pubs, even a small market where on could get basic staples like milk and bread.

Not anymore.

All that’s left now is a liquor store and a hardware store (that’s up for sale and will probably close).  As we are near to a major interstate highway, we do have a ‘McDonalds’, but the town has a love/hate relationship with it.  They hate it because it’s a highly commercialized, fast- food chain (that doesn’t really fit the small town image), but they love it because there is nothing else to love.  Don’t believe me?  Stop in any morning at around 6:30 A.M.  The place is packed with locals – all retirees there to mingle, converse, and have a cup of coffee.  They stay there all morning, gossiping about local events and eating “Egg McMuffins”.

I’m not saying we have to open a ‘Starbucks’, but wouldn’t a small, local, coffee shop downtown be a better fit?

I know, I know.  Most people will say “but I love our little town the way it is – I don’t want it to be changed.”

I get it.

Unfortunately, the fact is that the little town that everyone loves is in a slow death spiral.  New businesses are what will keep it alive.  I’m not saying we have to open a bunch of chain stores, but there are businesses that can keep the small town spirit and flavor of the area intact while still being successful.

For example, one of the most recent businesses to open in Clear Spring was a tearoom.  “Who would go to a tearoom in a town of 399 people?” you may ask.  The truth is – a lot of people.  Dollies (the tearoom in question) does a thriving trade.  It’s a destination for tearoom buffs.  Seriously.  It’s always busy – and it’s only open three days a week.  It is the perfect fit for a small town like ours.

Other businesses could also fit in.

A coffee shop, for one (as previously mentioned).

An antique store.  (Hello? Did anyone notice the crowds mingling at “Vintage Heart” during its one-night run?)

I’m sure there are other examples.

It’s not like there aren’t potential customers out there.  The crowds at the holiday event prove that.

In addition, there is a large ski resort only minutes away from Clear Spring.  As a matter of fact, our town is the last town travelers go through before heading out to the slopes.  Commuters from Baltimore and D.C. whisk through the light at the far end of town to travel out to Whitetail Ski Resort, then hurry home once the day is over, bypassing most of town in order to quickly get back out onto the highway.

Why?

Well, for one thing – there is little in Clear Spring for them to stop for.  Imagine if there were reasons for skiers to turn into downtown at the light and drop some money at a locally-owned business before that return trip home?

But I’m ahead of myself.  Even if people did want to open a business within the town limits, there would still be two major roadblocks that even the most determined and enthusiastic entrepreneur would face.

First, there are statutes, rules, and regulations that make almost any new venture an expensive proposition.  There are permits, water and sewer fees, parking requirements, handicap accessibility issues, and other hurdles that require additional time and money to try and overcome before anything is even attempted within town limits.

Secondly, one would have to garner the support of the local Town Council to try and navigate all of these pitfalls and governmental minefields, and there is not a lot of urgency or willingness for change within that elected group.  They go “by the book”.  They don’t seem to be motivated or interested in making changes, exceptions, or policies to encourage any business to start up in town.  They are strictly “status quo”.  From their viewpoint, the rules are clearly spelled out and everyone must abide by them.  They see no reason to change them or create any exceptions, no matter what the case may be.

The only problem with no compromise and such a “black and white” stance is that eventually, there is nothing left to govern.  The empty storefronts along Main Street are clear evidence of that.  With no businesses, it’s not really a town anymore, is it?  What remains of the community becomes little more than a glorified subdivision with a rigid and unyielding HOA board.

“Christmas in Clear Spring” demonstrates that it could be so much more than that, no matter what time of the year.