Back to results page Below are all of the text answers for the selected question in the OTBA Spring 2007 Survey.
Question 23. What do you think are the most attractive aspects of downtown Takoma Park?
Respondents Answers (CNTL-F to search)
1850010 -
1858645 Walkable, pretty, has great untapped potential. Please, give up the destination used-clothes thing that is a detraction.
1858647 Proximity to where I live, small scale, diverse businesses
1858648 The farmers marketthe independent nature of the stores and most shoppers
1858649 Small locale, Independent businesses, no chains, friendly shopowners, convenience.
1858657 The fact that the buildings are old and look old and abit funky.
1858661 Farmers Market, Amano, Summer Delights, Roscoe statue
1858664 uh...did you say quotattractivequot and quotdowntown TkPkquot inthe same sentence? Oh, yea, I see that you did. Well.Hmmmmm. I guess the little patch of ornamental grassesin front of the CVS are kind of attractive. And thechurch keeps its grounds looking nice but nothingreally distinctive there. Maybe the historicalstreetlamps (that aren’’t on at night!). And thebrickwork on the Kirchiro building on the corner ofLaurel Carroll. Oh, and the INTERIOR of MagicCarpet. The owner has gorgeous items there. It’’s likea colorful indoor garden.
1858670 walkability likely to see someone I know on the street kid friendly and playgrounds nearby human scale/small eclectic offerings
1858678 Historic nature, small size, and diversity
1858685 Pedestrian friendly Accessible to pedestrians fromsurrounding residences, and Metro.
1858691 atmosphere (minus CVS) local shops and eateries conveniences (e.g., post office bank) activities (e.g., community events)
1858693 absence of chain stores, community feeling
1858715 It’’s cute. The stores there are not everyday stores. Many of them are places you’’d only go for buying gifts or for a quick errand you HAD to make today and didnt have time to go to the larger less-expensive store you’’d like to.
1858717 Small town feeling, eclectic,
1858724 close to my homelow-keyfunky
1858738 the architecturethe town centerfarmers marketsmall town yet easy-access to city
1858750 Architecture
1858797 video store, farmers market, unusual shops
1858812 size, small
1858831 farmers’’ market seeing friends neighbors on the street proximity to my house and to the metro
1858836 pass
1858839 The architechure of the buildings. The amount of trees.
1858844 easy access, friendly and familiar shop owners who’’ve been around a long time, quality merchandise with interesting choices of arts, crafts and gifts
1858868 Not a thing.
1858872 None really
1858873 All the people and the friendly people who work there... my son was given an ice cream cone even after they had closed for the night and were cleaning up.
1858875 nearhas a post office
1858877 The small scale (soon to be eliminated, apparently!),the old buildings, the individuality and the small no.of chain stores.
1858883 local, small scale
1858909 1) Local ownership no chains, unless you countSubway but even there the franchisee is local.2) Sunday farmer’’s market3) Small scale.4) Pleasant look.5) Neighborhood friendliness.6) Some good eateries/stores: Video Americain, Amano,Middle East Market, House of Musical Traditions, Savory.7) Practical things that are good to have close tohome post office, bank, dry cleaner.
1858929 walkability, playground for kids, Video Americaine,Post Office, Farmer’’s Market
1858939 Proximity to home and MetroFarmers MarketInteresting shops
1859048 Some very pleasant and useful shops very close to where I live the Sunday market is also very pleasant, with fresh fruits and vegetables, flowers, etc.
1859082 small-town feel, few chains
1859122 The small shops with friendly staff. Small town, canwalk around and do many errands. Post Office. A Salon.Mark’’s Kitchen.
1859124 Little shops with friendly staff. Can walk around anddo many errands. Post Office. Metro. A Salon. Mark’’sKitchen, Coop. Victory Towers and all the youngerchildren. Real age diversity.
1859148 Proximity to home. Local ownership.
1859152 small businesses, charm, see lots of folks you know
1859153 The locally-owned shops the friendly feel the joy ofhaving relationships with the people who work in orown the shops.But sometimes, when I put on my quotoutsiderquot viewpoint,I think that TP isn’’t quotenoughquot of a destination todraw outsiders. Sometimes it seems too small. When we moved her in 2001, I LOVED that the shopsactually closed early on Sundays it seemed so SANE.But sometimes it annoys me, and makes the place feelout-of-time in a negative way.I love the fact that the quotVault Alarmquot sign is stillthere.I hate the fact that the former Kinetic Artistry spaceis still sitting there, empty.The farmer’’s market is absolutely the most fabulousdraw. We no longer do a CSA b/c we’’d rather patronizethe market.I love TP and don’’t want it to change, but sometimes Idesperately want it to change. I love that the icecream shop closes in winter, but worry that thecommunity itself isn’’t enough to support our bu
1859163 Close to home.
1859164 Small town, good walking and sidewalks, a park nearby, some green space and benches to hang out in when it is nice, the farmer’’s market
1859168 coop, farmers market
1859174 I love the small downtown shops and what they offer!
1859176 Shops, Farmers Market, Restaurants, open plentifulbenches outside.
1859178 The quotfunkyquot stores with a human scale and old time feel. Beads Things, Magic Carpet, Polly Sue’’s. (Hope I got their names right.) I often in after going to the bank or post office. The florist, however, is too expensive. Ice cream shop isn’’t as good as it started out to be. The small restaurants are okay, but not great.
1859185 The eclectic types of stores. Not that I think theyare what I would call quotattractivequot from an estheticpoint of view, but I like a Rerun Town Takoma Parkisn’’t too pretty.
1859187 unusual merchandise
1859188 next to metrounique feelclean friendly
1859189 AT this time, it would have to be the shops.
1859190 Some variety in retail storesFriendly, small town atmosphere
1859191 Very few parking lots, no strip malls, trees...bigtrees, not the crappy ones developers plant after theytear old trees out and beautiful old architecture down.
1859192 Walk ability,family atmosphere
1859193 Proximity to home, could be a walkable, Smartgrowthdowntown, but right now there are few attractivebusinesses, no real restaurants, nada. This town doesNOT want to change, and without higher foot trafficand nightlife, thugs still rule the streets. It’’s avicious circle.
1859194 the hometown feeling
1859198 unique, quirky, fun, village-like, independently owned.
1859199 The small-town feel, the community atmosphere, the fact that local people do actually shop in downtown Takoma Park
1859200 This survey is not really well constructed. I woudl suggest instead of yes/nos on some of the questions that you would have asked for a scale because the range of thinking is probably pretty broad and not so simplistic. I think your responses may not get you what you are realy looking for. - Now to answer your question. I like theat there are restaurants there Tehre is some architectural quirks and you can walk to several destinations and parks in just a few blocks.
1859201 The chicken statue, shops like Now Then, the bead store, and Big Bad Woof, the church on the corner.
1859205 Citizenry
1859206 ease of parking
1859208 Variety, walkability, local private ownership, service ( I LOVE buying gifts, clothing and especially shoes in my neighborhood! Yay for A Mano and Magic Carpet!)
1859209 close to SS
1859210 Locally-owned stores, no major chains, no fast-food places, old-town look and feel, lost of sidewalk space, plant-life
1859217 Good mix of gift and clothing stores.
1859226 It’’s quaint and alternative.
1859250 The eclectic nature of the businesses except for the CVS and Subway, downtown Takoma Park doesn’’t look like anyplace else.
1859280 ?
1859281 Family feeling
1859284 Pizza Movers, Metro station, Liquor store.
1859310 Scale
1859311 Downtown Takoma Park gives me the chance to peruse objects. The items for sale always feel hand-picked and yet they are not expensive. I always think the gifts I purchase there are utterly unique.
1859323 pleasant atmosphere, supporting local businesses,community feel
1859325 All the trees and TPSS Co-op.
1859330 Not many really. Everything opens too late and closes too early. At night dowtown Takoma Park is dead. I find a few eating facilities not very clean nor friendly. (including Savory Cafe which has a very bad service). After a few attepmts we gave up on going out in Takoma Park, it was never a nice experience. I have two little children and there is nowhere to go with them. No bookstore, no nice toystore..not much really. The only nice stores in TP are Now and Then, Sanga and Amano.
1859336 The clock and the church.
1859337 the lack of chain stores, the walker-friendly downtown
1859339 The variety of stores the friendliness and interest of proprietors the comfort/safety of the neighborhood (benches, trash cans) relative ease of parking patronizing locally owned businesses
1859341 I’’ve lived here for 22 years. Store owners know me and my family.
1859343 Eclectic (old quothippiequot!)
1859344 Sunday morning farmers market
1859346 This is an outrageously biased survey that assumes that one drives and needs parking. The last question REQUIRED that I respond about how far parking needed to be. This is absurd. Parking has NO influence on my life.I like Takoma Park because of the people and the hopes that someday those shops will be attractive and useful. The renovations are going in the right direction. The work outside is fabulous. The shops are not very useful yet.
1859347 I like how businesses can coexist with green spaces. I like that there are places to go, but also plenty of trees.
1859348 Small-town feel in the midst of DC Metro area. Also, independent businesses are greatthe CVS and Subway DETRACT from the look and feel.
1859349 Combination of interesting/unique/gift shops plus things I need to buy (toothpaste)
1859350 Independently owned businessesFarmers marketA walk from my house
1859351 close to metro, not full of cars not full of chain businesses, giving it a small town feel
1859352 n/a
1859353 none
1859354 Atmosphere, people
1859355 It’’s small town feel, friendly environment, safety.
1859356 Laurel and the block of Carroll opposite the park. I like the art work in the sidewalk farther on Carrollthere should be more art.
1859357 Old town layout with the church in the center, having a quottown square,quot interesting and original products in the windows, small town feel yet it’’s so close to DC
1859358 unique buisnesses
1859359 It is my home. But seriously, it’’s the small town feeling
1859360 Small shops and the farmer’’s market
1859361 Metro stop
1859363 No big chain stores, no Starbucks, not generic like other towns, not over crowded.
1859364 Atmosphere and Friendliness.
1859366 walking distanceI know all the shop ownersneighbors are there
1859367 We can walk or bike there, the stores are small and specialized, there’’s a green market.
1859371 The farmer’’s marketEveryday GourmetNow and Thanfree parking in the back and easy to walk to.
1859372 Small and not too crowded. Locally owned (not chains), eclectic shops.
1859374 Streetscape
1859376 kind/quality of people
1859377 Uniqueness, not overly commercialized (e.g., no Starbucks!)
1859380 streetscaping, small town feel (whereas Silver Spring is trying SO hard to create that with DOWNTOWN silver spring), the retail shops that are there are fun, creative, interesting (Amano, antique shops, Now and Then).
1859385 small town feel, charming, farmers market
1859386 Location (metro-accessible) close to DC had an appealing look (but lost that due to so many empty or old looking storefronts)
1859389 The potential!
1859390 Atmosphere, Vegetarian Restaurant
1859391 small businesses with unique flavor, local ownership, neighborhood employees, ability to walk to several different types of business within a few blocks
1859392 cafes
1859393 Atmosphere
1859394 Nearby.
1859396 Variety, local flavor, quirkiness
1859402 clean, plants design, lots of people, attractive and eclectic storefronts
1859403 Close to Metro, charming, small scale, locally owned businesses.
1859404 The Metro - A couple of good businesses would draw more DC visitor. It would be nice to walk home from the metro at night and see a town the is open after sunset.
1859405 small scale feel, interesting shops, local people
1859406 Businesses like amano, now and then, house of musical traditions, savory cafe, CVS, willow street studio, post office.
1859407 The small town, quotMain Streetquot atmosphere and the diversity.
1859409 Original merchandise in stores.
1859414 small town feel - very community oriented unlike silver spring
1859415 folky/funky style
1859417 Like having a hub to my community, see people I know(esp at Farmer’’s Market)
1859419 quaintness
1859420 it has it’’s own flavor, good little stores, convenient to walk to
1859421 Not very many now... I shop there out of guilt.
1859423 Wakable, mixture of business types (cafes stores), farmers market
1859424 Proximity anbd Atmosphere and not all chains
1859425 friendly, interesting stores, walkable
1859433 Local ownership, friendly business owners
1859436 proximity
1859439 Proximity
1859440 farmers’’ market, hometown feel, running into neighborsand friends, nearness to metro
1859443 the local, socially-conscious bent of most of thebusinesses
1859446 close to my house village-like feeling storefronts on CARROLL/LAUREL
1859447 Walk-ability, proximity, affordability of businesses and restaurants
1859449 The fact that it’’s not all chain stores. Mark’’sKitchen because of the food friendlieness andatmosphere, house of Musical Traditions, you can’’tfind instruments like this anywhere else or musiciansupport, The bead store, unique. I used to go to Nowand Then when they had more toys. But it has changed.I like the antique stores but I can’’t afford most ofwhat is in them so I just look. the CVS there isconvenient. It’’s nice to have that because everyoneneeds a drug store I guess. I like Savory but I havenot been there in years, the same with the bagel deliplace I don’’t even remember the name.I like the quaintness and that it’’s uncrowded. It’’sfunky. Not a typical city block which is so boring. Ilike the oldness of the place. I love the farmer’’s market.
1859455 home owned/operated businessesfriendly atmospherefamiliarity of peoplerecognition as frequent patroninteresting street scapeproximity to Metro
1859457 Old-town feelOrganic crunchinessFarmer’’s Market
1859459 Its near a Metro stop
1859462 Walkable streets. Trees.
1859464 Farmer’’s Market and the pavilion.
1859465 The sense of community and atmosphere during the farmer’’s market. The Banjo man playing, locals putting their stuff out for a yard sale. It makes it kind of festive. Aside from the farmer’’s market, I like downtown’’s eclectic and independently owned shops as well.
1859467 The farmer’’s market is the best anywhere. Co-op isbetter every year. I love walking from shop to shop.HMOT is fabulous. I like seeing people I know. Locallyowned businesses are important, too.
1859468 active and involved local community
1859477 the funkiness - although i cannot for the life of me figure out why rerun is still in business. don’’t know why but that store aggravates me - it seems too niche-y. i like being able to walk from shop to shop, getting to know the people who work there, unusual goods and good quality merchandise (now and then, amano, house of musical traditions). fineware or whatever it is now doesn’’t seem to have any identity or voice. i’’ve been in there but never buy anything, when i buy a lot at amano or now and then.
1859479 the pedestrian meridian where roscoe is. the church isvery pretty, too. i like amano, now and then, theinstrument store, american craft, and video americain.
1859481 neighborly feel, pedestrian friendly, specific shops we patronize
1859482 Community, quirkiness, local non-chain businesses
1859483 Interesting shops (not chain stores), accessible parking
1859485 very walkable, accessible by bus and close to the metro stopbig bad woof and TP coop have late evening hours and are open on weekendsindependently owned businessessmall town, historic feel
1859487 The variety of eclectic shops, the prettiness of the old town area, walking distance from metro and my house
1859492 Pedestrian-friendly, independent businesses
1859497 The park is pretty the co-op is a great local bizit’’s walking-friendlysuch that many people are outwalking with their children, friends, dogsand mostsmile and say hello. Feels like a community.
1859498 Pedestrian friendlySense of communityLocal ownership of some businessesKid friendly
1859499 old town unique shops
1859501 I like that the old buildings have been preserved.
1859503 walker friendly, historic
1859505 Unique, intriguing products convenience to home, ease of parking, some stuff I actually need (post office, ice cream, xmas shopping)
1859511 It’’s very walkable
1859514 Pedestrian friendly. No fast-food chains.
1859517 Farmer’’s Market, attractive store fronts (some)
1859518 The downtown area where the music store and consignmnet shop are located across the street from the restaurant.
1859520 That cool art deco building on the corner the brick sidewalks the church and its grounds the farmers market with the statue of the rooster the round bandstand.
1859528 Interesting stores, nice owners, I can walk there, and having the farmers market.
1859529 Location, walkability, green space, stuff I want buyor do - and this has been decreasing.
1859530 not much
1859531 farmer’’s marketunique non-chain shopsVictorian homes
1859532 It’’s a nice walkable local downtown
1859540 I know many of the store owners by sight, if not by name. I like buying from my neighbors, not chain stores.
1859542 I can get several things I need in one walk foodfrom co-op, mail package, rent a movie, purchase a gift.
1859551 walking distance and accessible parking. not crowded. somewhat unique products.LEAST attractive (except for Takoma Framers, who I greatly like) is that Takoma shop owners tend to be snobby.
1859554 Eclectic homes, interesting locally owned stores (love Now Then, Salon Jam), it feels good to patronize them...
1859555 nice people, unusual locally owned businesses, older and attractive buildings, streetscape, farmer’’s market
1859559 the main street area is clean and aesthetically pleaseiong. nice (but limited) variety of shops.
1859562 I can walk there and to everything once I get there. Farmers market. I see people I know. A few really interesting stores. Good community spirit.
1859564 Neighborhood feel, family atmosphere. Old storefronts. Roscoe. Farmer’’s market. Very walkable with someexceptions (a few bad intersections). A small numberof really great unique shops/businesses. We’’ve gotsome great stuff, just need to add to it and lose afew used clothes stores. We can all go to ValueVillage for that.
1859568 funky
1859573 farmers market, proximity to metro, surrounding old style neighborhoods, arts
1859576 That I can walk to it from my house that I will see firends and neighbors while I am there that the commitment of many store owners is to the town.
1859577 coziness, FArmer’’s Market
1859582 It’’s funky, in a good kind of way.
1859586 Convenient and quiet
1859589 Cute downtown area, funky shops
1859592 non-chain, non-franchise shops a nice variety of unique merchandise
1859595 Farmer’’s market on sundays. Downtown takoma park isin a bad state. It has almost nothing to offer.
1859597 farmers market
1859602 environmental concernsFarmers MarketOld fashioned feel
1859606 historic buildings view, friendly,
1859610 Non-urban atmosphere
1859611 small size and variety of shops
1859618 The quotoldquot stuff
1859624 I can walk there from my house!I like that it has it’’s own character of independentlyowned shops.
1859627 not many. I like the Middle Eastern Restaurant, the post office and the dry cleaner
1859628 Farmers Market, friendly shop keepers, seeing neighbors
1859631 Farmer’’s market, neon signs, green spaces, decoratedshop windows, mural, benches.
1859633 it’’s walkable
1859634 the individualistic appearance of the shops and the street scene which appears to be gradually improving as people fix up and the central area is improved by the city.
1859640 Proximity
1859641 variety of shops
1859643 Friendly atmosphere.
1859652 Post Office, Farmer’’s Market, CVS
1859653 proximity independent businesses
1859657 There are a few good stores and the Post Office,
1859660 character, quirky stores
1859662 It feels safe, its near the Metro, the Ride-On Bus provides convenient access, nice lighting at night, a place to walk, culture and ambience
1859676 art deco and period decorno mass marketsall the churchesfarmers market
1859679 Now Then
1859683 Walking distance from my home desirable wares/offerings locally-owned.
1859690 local businesses, mosaic tiles, flowers, metro
1859693 close-by
1859696 no chains
1859699 Would be hard pressed to name any. Charming architecture, I suppose.
1859702 Quaint locals. Picturesque historic district.
1859703 High quality crafts and second hand clothing stores,walkable, locally owned, environmentally conscious,child-friendly
1859710 Parking behind MarksDiversity of shops, servicessamll/low scale
1859711 I live in the area and I’’m very used to pedestrianenvironments (San Francisco and New York). Havingsomewhere to walk to, at least for coffee on saturdaymornings is essential to me. I also work withinwalking distance to my home.
1859728 Walkable strip
1859730 farm market and the businesses that run along it.
1859734 Unique shops.
1859739 It’’s actually a town, it has unusual stores, it’’s not hectic, parking isn’’t terrible, it’’s safe
1859748 Landscaping, clean stores, convenience to home
1859756 gazebos, clock-tower area where the farmers market is
1859757 locally-owned businesses, socal awareness,environmentally concerned reps and businesses
1859765 Easy walk to many stores once you park
1859775 intimate setting, variety of businesses
1859780 Small town feel, character, local businesses
1859786 Small area, quirky one-of-a-kind businesses, abilityto walk easily from most area businesses.
1859789 Locally owned stores. Variety. Appealing setting.
1859792 New brickwork, street lights. Old architecture. Eclectic storefronts.
1859793 walking distance from home
1859795 Interesting shops, walkability
1859797 location AND What do I get for taking this survey? Cal Tort provided a free burrito.
1859798 walkable, close to metro, interesting ion ofstores and goods
1859799 local ownership, friendly store owners/workers, I usually run into people I know, it’’s small enough to park once and walk to anywhere I need to go
1859800 the unique stores, the large sidewalks, green space, the farmers market the neon lights
1859802 I know a lot of folks there. I walk by on my way home from work. I like to see a variety of interesting stuff in the windows, friendly atmosphere. Trees are important.
1859806 its potential, right now, very little
1859807 farmer’’s market, proximity to metro
1859811 Neat shops run by friendly neighborhood people. LOVE The Culture Shop for its beautiful Fair Trade items, books, etc
1859814 It’’s charm and a few interesting shops and restaurants but there aren’’t enough to keep one coming back very frequently. I also like having the Post Office there. Having some practical businesses, such as the post office and a grocery store (if we had one) would really keep people coming back frequently. Right now I only go to the village for the farmers market and the Post Office. When there, I may go into a few shops, so it’’s important to attract people with practical businesses.
1859816 A set of shops all within walking distance of eachother, a family entertainment destination (e.g., forgift shopping, hanging out at farmer’’s market, havinga family brunch). Independent, unique shops (not bigchains).
1859818 independent stores kid-friendly walking distance
1859820 It is unique - the quotmalling of Americaquot has not come to TP. Every time I run errands in downtown TP or go the market, I run into lots of friends and neighbors.
1859824 Locally owned shops with an interesting variety ofmerchandize and friendly staff.
1859826 This survey is getting too long. Not much is attractive, aside from the more established businesses themselves, such as House of Musical Traditions.
1859830 proximity to my house
1859832 quotlocalquotness
1859833 unique shopssmall-town atmosphereeasy to get around
1859835 farmer’’s market, the attempt to make town centerpedestrian friendly but this needs to be extendedbeyond the rich zone. Why does the Flower Ave/PineyBranch ’’feelquot so different?
1859837 Attractive, easy to walk around I usually only shop there when I can find parking
1859840 Charm, ecletic, friendly, versatile
1859843 Friendly, unique shops, walkable
1859848 walkablelots of shops in a small area
1859849 urban atmosphere, low density, close to home andMetro, walkable
1859850 walkability, density (shops near each other so you can go from one to the other)
1859858 Convenience, walkabletrees (before they were cut down)local owners
1859860 open spaces, nearby playground, small buildings, neighborhood feeling
1859864 -unique, locally owned businesses-safe and walkable-close to residential areas-seating and park space
1859865 Variety of merchants, walkability.
1859870 community, unique nature, friendly
1859871 The character of Takoma Park. The fact that the business are locally own and operated.
1859872 walkability, scale,
1859873 I love the Ice Cream shop and the idea of localbusinesses. However, the concept of what quotlocalquot meanshas changed in the past few years. Local can mean anywhere within a 10 mile radius.
1859875 Quirky, unique shopping
1859876 local businesses, no chains, variety of stores and good products
1859877 Low keyFunky
1859880 its cute and its home
1859884 New sidewalk mural is nice. Median on Laurel/Carroll Ave is pretty.
1859886 .
1859887 farmers marketintriguing and individualistic store fronts
1859890 Friendly denizensMark’’s KitchenFarm MarketSavory
1859895 eclectic mix of locally owned businesses
1859896 easy to park, little congestion,small townambience-shopkeepers know me!
1859901 It’’s scale, different shops
1859904 Relatively compact, historic downtown main street with(seemingly) interesting shops and restaurantsaccompanied by a post-hippy feel. The problem is thatthe shops and restaurants aren’’t IMO not worth regularvisits (and certainly not a return visit withfriends/guests)
1859906 Farmer’’s Market, independent businesses, trees, funkyatmosphere
1859913 small unique shops
1859915 Subway is in the heart of townI wish the theater would reopen
1859925 convenient locationeasy parkinggood service
1859946 co-op, vegetarian eating options, pedestrian friendly,nice vintage boutiques and video store.
1859993 Proximity/walking distance
1860009 for me it is the close proximity to my home. Otherwise - the neighborhood feel when eating icecream out front.
1860013 The post office.
1860014 locally owned interesting shops: Now and Then, Amano. also Mark’’s Kitchen! I like that I can almost always find parking on the street or in that tiny lot behind the shops on Carroll.
1860019 Farm Market gazebo free parking
1860025 Old-fashioned character
1860029 Unique stuff so it’’s good for present shopping. But I have a limited need for antiques and crafts. Some practical stuff would be fab.
1860035 Neighborhood feel, funky goods
1860045 Funky, a veritable cornucopia of kitsch. Seeingnenighbors at eh Farmer’’s Market, attitude at VideoAmerican, etc.
1860048 Local businesses! No chains!
1860049 The absence of quotchainquot stores, giving TP a one-of-akind feeling
1860050 independently owned businessesplaces to sitnew landscapingneon art signs
1860062 NA
1860065 StoresAtmosphere
1860066 Walking distance to my house, proximity to Metro.
1860067 Small town feelSome friendly local shops (Now and Then, Amano)Farmers Market
1860070 Near Metro, unused facilitys for growth
1860071 we can walk there
1860072 small-town community feelpedestrian friendliness
1860073 I can walk to it from my houseIt’’s a cute little area
1860079 the green area where the farmer’’s market is and thequotwalkabilityquot of the area.
1860080 Mix of businesses
1860088 people are nice it’’s funky
1860090 Small-town feellow-rise developomentFarmers’’ market on SundayRunning into people I knowEase of parkingProximity to where I liveProximity to Metro
1860107 fuck required. No survey tries to force people toanswer questions.
1860117 Small, locally-owned
1860119 the histric small houses, farmers market, old town feel
1860120 proximity to my house
1860124 small, locally-owned businesses, small-town feel
1860125 CharacterProximityLocal Ownership
1860127 intimacy, walkability, original shops, trees
1860130 proximity to the metro
1860140 I don’’t know
1860141 Small town atsmophere, farmer’’s market, Video Americain,
1860143 The Post Office and free parking.
1860147 charm, low-scale architecture, unusual stores, friendliness of the people in the stores, high quality of food, etc.
1860152 non-chain stores and restaurants
1860160 Walkability, public transportation, Farmers Market,
1860161 Very pretty, clean, and a nice concentrateddowntown-easy to walk around.
1860166 Victorian charm
1860168 Pedestrian kid-friendly
1860169 It feels like a community and it has funky stores.
1860174 close to home, quickly get in and out
1860177 ’’Old Town’’ / small-town feel / quaint
1860178 When it is decorated for the holidays.
1860181 proximity to my house, diversity of stores, cuteness factor
1860182 cute, quaintness, friendly businesses
1860183 Customer-friendly shopping.Local ownership.Close-by parking.Farmer’’s market.House of Musical Traditions.Quality of merchandise.Distinctiveness of merchandise.
1860184 Farmer’’s Market second-hand antique shops Co-op
1860188 Cute, and family friendly, but I do not think it is a draw for outside people. The farmers market is a big draw.
1860189 The lack of chain restaurants/stores. A couple arefine but it’’s nice to have independently owned shops.The friendliness of the people and how involved theyseem. The cleanliness and landscaping of the area isnice. It’’s so close to my house, I love to walk toshop, eat and drink but need more options.
1860193 -
1860194 Convenience to my home, proximity to metro, localownership, unique stores, farmer’’s market
1860204 local/independently owned businesses
1860205 Human scale and concentration of shops
1860213 wide walkways, quiet street area on Laurel
1860215 It’’s eclectic and NOT corporate and businesses are locally owned for the most part.
1860222 Unique stores within that are within a comfortable pedestrian accessible area
1860223 Small shops, private ownership, diversity ofbusinesses the first two have to do with quotscale.quot
1860227 Character - like the localy businesses. For me, the fact that I can walk downtown is the best aspect. And the Farmer’’s Market year round and proximity of Willow Street yoga re key.How about better lighting so it feels safer at night? Looking forward to more development along strip to Metro so it feels safe to walk alone at night.
1860231 scale and outdoors aspect. Shops have quotdifferentquot items. I particulary like Amano and its blend of items. I think the frame shop is outstanding.
1860238 I don’’t think it’’s very attractive.
1860239 proximity to home.
1860241 accessibility, hopefully safety on streets (lack ofcrime), community
1860242 convenience, small quotquaint, funky, locally ownedquotsmall shops, farmers market on sunday
1860243 A sense of community and locally owned businesses. Anearly universal commitment to unique, healthy,organic, and fair-trade products. The farmer’’s marketis the best.
1860247 new landscaping, windows of shops
1860253 quiet-safe, Mark’’s Kitcheen, Bead Store, Now and Then,Video Store
1860255 Proximity to my house local business progressive attitude proximity to metro
1860257 The electic, diverse options
1860261 Facades, lights, local businesses
1860268 TPK is quaint and the core of a great community. Thedowntown is a big underperformer that has lost a lotof ground to Silver Spring.
1860275 The smallness, the free parking, the truly independentlocal businesses, the mix of shopping and eating. Nowand Then is our favorite store. We purposefully avoidSubwaythere are plenty of independent alternatives.We are glad that Fair Play replaced a boring nationalchain insurance company. We puzzle over a couple ofthe T Junction storefronts that seem very dead(strange religious group, thrift store that is rarelyopen). We’’d like to see more useful stores there.
1860284 The fact that you don’’t have to pay the meters because there are never any ticket-writers enforcing the meters. Oh, and coffee at Savory in DC.
1860285 proximity to metro and residential areas, friendly people, casual atmosphere, trees!
1860288 variety of businesses lots of benches walking distance to Metro
1860291 The Train Station
1860300 Walkability, unique stores, good food, mix of types of businesses
1860303 Human scale walkability
1860307 Friendlyarchitecturally interestingpedestrian friendly
1860314 Small town feel locally owned shops, unusual offerings, reasonable prices.
1860318 its attractive, and it has ice cream
1860319 Recent landscaping and the addition of trees, I also like to hear the church bells, that adds alot of charm.
1860321 The historic facadesThe Farmers MarketThe metro
1860328 no chain stores elbowing out locally-owned businesses as happened in Annapolis in the 80s and 90s
1860330 not overdeveloped
1860333 It is very walkable. Many of the current shops are attractive and useful. It is friendly and I run into people I know there.
1860337 vintage clothing stores, house of musical traditions, main street feel, proximity to DC and metro. We should leverage the great things for which the city is known.
1860366 needs an upgrad. not very attractive. could have fewer used clothing stores.
1860367 Safe, no crowds, parking, proximity
1860375 It’’s close. It’’s homey.
1860377 walkable
1860402 Independent business owners, old fashioned main street feel, diversity of cultures
1860404 nice ion of goods at the local stores. friendly atmosphere.
1860420 It is plesant and clean
1860445 Village setting, varied architecture
1860463 Friendliness
1860465 Close proximity to metro. Walkability. Unfortunately,the variety and depth of stores is not there. Wefrequent two or three businesses and that’’s about it.When we lived in Adams Morgan we never left theneighborhood for anything we would walk to DupontCircle for shopping, eat in AM or WP. Grocery shop inAM. Go to the Hardware store in AM or on P street,etc. In TKPK, we have to leave the neighborhood nearlyevery day for something groceries, hardware, dining,bread, copies, etc.
1860468 Local merchants, quaintness, the farmers market on weekends, dog friendly
1860470 I’’m not a huge fan of downtown Takoma Park as it stands. As I said, I can walk there but there’’s not much to see. The restaurants are marginal and feel a bit dirty and run down nothing that I’’d say, gee, I’’m craving X, Y, or Z if I were already there and starving, fine. There are a couple neat stores, but I’’m not it’’s not the type of shopping I’’d be inclined to go browse through. For example, the shoe stores a lot of times they would have to order the shoes you want I’’m disinclined to get them there when I can just order them on line or go a store that carries more inventory. It’’s nice that it’’s pedestrian friendly, but I’’d like to see it be more of a destination.
1860475 Small with a hometown feelInteresting retail storesClose to home
1860476 Walkability scale of buildings streetscaping store windows to browse in variety of boutiques quiet traffic movement (not noisy highway like Piney Br. Rd)
1860488 human scale, historic context, proximity to metro
1860500 it’’s close to home (Shepherd Park)I go to the Sun. market
1860504 Post Office and Video Store, CVS
1860514 It has a funky atmosphere that seems to have a bit of everything. Before I moved to Takoma, I use to do all my unique shopping here. There were so many vintage shops
1860524 Local independant business. Please no more chains!
1860531 locally owned businesses with fair-trade orientationrelief from chain-store, mall, etccommunity
1860545 The farmer’’s market. Being able to walk (for me) orMetro (for others)...your previous question aboutparking doesn’’t mention environmentally friendly,non-driving methods of transportation. I thought youpeople were hippies! Shame on you, ha ha.
1860570 Lovely old architecture of the homes.
1860585 Safety, happy people who mind their business
1860598 old homes, locally owned businesses, not many corporations
1860601 within walking distance of home
1860604 local ownership
1860608 Storefronts, lamps, clock and rooster, Gazebo and playground, parking lot
1860610 - compact area - walkable- community connection - you always see someone you know- support local businesses-
1860616 Winding streets, good retail potential cluster, thequottowny feelquot
1860620 local businesses. Walkable.
1860622 Carroll Ave and the cobbled stone streets
1860635 Browsing shops, post office, restaurants.
1860637 natural features ie parks, trees, diversity, kid friendly
1860641 unique shops local ownedfriendly atmosphereFarmers Marketold-town look
1860649 coffee shops, locally owned businesses
1860656 It’’s walking distance from my house. Sunday farmers market.
1860658 Ability to walk, mix of neighbors that I see when downtown, friendly workers.
1860689 The diversity of people, the proximity to my home, the proximity to the subway, the concentration of shops in one location (along carroll/laurel) the farmer’’s market the places to get breakfast/coffee.
1860696 the small town feeling
1860711 Several unusual and fun shops (Now then, SA BEads, Turkish shop on opposite side). Walking distance for me.
1860712 Old Town Takoma has great small scale architecture, wide sidewalks, and interesting shops
1860713 Close to Metro, local businesses, not too congested
1860730 overall feeling and look
1860733 The community feeling especially events such as theHalloween parade, street festival and 4th of Julyparade. It feels like a nice small town. I like thelocally-owned, eclectic businesses (although too manyused clothing stores).
1860739 Independent businesses, easy to walk to and walk around, shopowners who actually know my name or know my face, having a fabulous farmer’’s market, having post office, bank and place to get a cup of coffee, as well as some retail
1860759 Metro Accessible, pet friendly
1860767 Farmer’’s Market, locally owned businesses
1860772 Nice new brickwork
1860775 Easy for me to get to (on foot) uniqueness of shops friendly feeling, local ownerships, small size
1860783 character and family oriented - also, very quiet
1860795 That it isnt full of large chain stores and thus has more character than, e.g., Silver Spring. I like the vintage stores and being able to get used/antique items.
1860796 Charming love Now and Then, Mark’’s Kitchen and Savory get my hair cut at Salon Jam
1860805 the amazing farmer’’s marketthe non-chain stores (sa beads, now and then, takoma underground)the parkGREAT ice cream at summer’’s delightWillow Street YogaThe vegetarian menu at Mark’’s KitchenThe vegetarian options at Savory
1860819 it’’s where i live
1860841 Are you serious? There is very little that is quotattractivequot about downtown TP. The stores are uninteresting, the traffic is abysmal, and there isn’’t much in the way of ambiance. The farmer’’s market is pretty cool, but other than that....
1860843 the movie rental store and the farmers market
1860854 i look the vintage shops
1860861 Seeing friends and neighborslocal businesses instead of national chains
1860875 Benches to sit and chat with passerbys, farmer’’s market, relationships with local merchants, really nice postal workers, food co-op and history of unconventionality, beautiful gardens and parks (Sligo and Rock Creek).
1860882 Farmer’’s market. That’’s about it. Otherwise, the co-0p is nice, as is the stonewares/arts store (forget the name). Otherwise, the rest could disappear and I wouldn’’t miss it at all.
1860889 Accessibility. Would like a place where kids couldhang out.
1860914 Interesting places with good customer service. I always find a parking spot or can take the bus. I like the downtown park/playground so I can give the kids a break there in between my errands.
1860940 babershop
1860992 farmers market, clock, shops
1861022 unique places (not the same as in every mall)walkability
1861029 We always go on Sunday to the Farmers Market. Then eat at Mark’’s and visit the playground. Some evenings we’’ll go to Mark’’s, then perhaps Summer Delights, then the playground. What’’s attractive is small, local shops, close to each other.
1861036 walkability, small non-box, non-corporately owned businesses
1861048 Proximity to residentail areas, Metro, Compactness/Convenience
1861066 The old town feel and local stores
1861067 Small businesses (not chain stores)proximity of stores to one another so you can walk inthe business districtclose to home
1861078 center of town
1861079 it is quaint
1861085 No fast food restaurants help keep Takoma Park charming
1861087 walkability, small shops, variety of people.The Farmer’’s Market is fabulous. We need more places to eat.
1861113 It’’s close, small, has trees, and unique it’’s sonice that it’’s not full of chains!!!
1861125 Quirkiness and uniqueness of stores, smalltown atmosphere, friendliness of business operators
1861128 cute and eclectic nature
1861157 The area near the landmark clock is charming, quaint and sort of eclectic, that area has a certain je ne sais quoi.
1861164 art deco buildingsmall scaleclock
1861173 seeing folks you know-the post office staff-they are awesome and Mark at Mark’’s kitchen and the farmer’’s market
1861182 Friendly and cute stores
1861183 Likelihood of seeing someone I know.
1861187 architecturefriendly peoplegreen spaces
1861188 willow cedar aves
1861193 Multicultural, yet educated people. Good quality shops unique. Close to home. Parking available.
1861196 cute, small, unique
1861203 that i grew up here
1861204 Close by, interesting places now.
1861260 intimate, walking encouraged, friendly people
1861267 The farmer’’s market and the community feel
1861270 indie-boutiques, local ownership
1861279 Shops close together, nice streetscaping, easy parking
1861280 convenience (vicinity), ambience, local,concentration, number of stores (even though notenough of them have anything I would use)
1861288 Uniqueness
1861290 Unique stores with small town charm, nice people who all know each other and build a community.
1861291 I like the stores, and I like supporting our community
1861302 Small Shops No Chains
1861303 Sunday Farmers Market Diverse Neighbors, Locally owned stores with Ethnic Flavor
1861307 good ion of non-chain businessesfriendly atmospherewalkability
1861318 I like how I feel safe walking there, how the people are nice, and how so many of these shops and restaurants have been here for years and years. I like that there are people of all ages around, including children. I like the character of the town.
1861319 small stores, local economy, friendly people, familiar faces, nice landscape, recycling containers in addition to trash cans
1861321 It looks shabby to me.
1861341 Small town yet funky, arty feel.
1861365 Good places for lunch, convenience (about 3 blocksfrom my home).
1861366 The house’’s architecture and the narrow streets. The stores have some variety. Customer service is NOT an attraction at all.
1861367 Farmer’’s Market, small shops, good service
1861369 not too croweded, easy to find things
1861371 small town, walkable, diverse kinds of stores so cando many different kinds of errands in one trip, i.e.get a movie, go the bank, pick up a gift, buy food
1861378 new to the area/not sure
1861392 Walking distance to home, hometown feeling, love seeing friends and neighbors all over the place
1861404 nice architecture, funky buildings, antique shops
1861408 locally-0wned businesses, the Farmer’’s market. It has potential to be a thriving business district.
1861414 quaintness
1861415 proximity of shops
1861416 Walkable, eclectic shops
1861417 the Farmer’’s market, walkability, a community feel that isn’’t so common in the DC area, independent businesses, unique products.
1861444 None, currently. I think of Takoma Park as the quotcity left behindquot, especially in comparison to Silver Spring. While I don’’t want the quotchain-onlyquot aspect of Silver Spring, it offers me what I need. I would rather patronize Takoma Park, where I live, than another community, but I have found many of the business owners rude, and the general cleanliness and ambiance of the establishments to be lacking.
1861450 working in TP is close to home - short commuteretaining the original streetscapemeeting neighbors on the streetmerchants are local, part of community
1861451 none. it is dead unless you want to buy some secondhand crap
1861460 Stores are close together, making the area relativelypedestrian-friendly (although improvements would bewelcome).
1861477 close, quaint, people know each other
1861518 Neighborhood feel, sidewalks, great shops
1861522 small town feel, ecletic mix of businesses I forgot to mention I love Video Americain farmers market relaxed pace
1861532 Charm, small-town feel, sense of community, lack of generic chains, local owners
1861542 The Diversity and uniqueness of the people and businesses
1861655 Storefronts right along the street, no huge surfaceparking lots, diversity of the stores, proximity ofstores to the Farmer’’s Market on Sunday, historicarchitecture, walkability and pedestrian focus, mix ofretail with residential, close to Metro
1861671 unique stores
1861738 not sure, recently moved to area...
1861749 walking distance
1861750 The peopleSmall Town atmosphere
1861758 community
1861793 community
1861794 Local businesses quirky and unique
1861830 Interesting, unique and well-managed stores: in particular, Mark’’s Kitchen and the Big Bad Woof. Somewhat walkable, but it could be better.
1861850 Farmers Market (a regular social venue). I see my neighbors while I am there, usually. Talk and catch up.
1861867 TP is in dire need of a face lift... the only services/shops I use are now then, post office and bank.
1861874 Proximity to my home
1861976 metro,food,green space,banking
1861988 Character and neighborhood feel
1862000 It’’s quaint architecture and main street feel.
1862030 nearbyTakoma Park
1862061 beauty, east
1862105 vegetarian-friendly, locally owned
1862129 The small town feel of Takoma Park. Knowing the owners and them knowing me even if they don’’t know my name.
1862132 small-town look, unique and local businesses
1862145 the church and now the farmers market area
1862199 None
1862228 charming streetscape
1862295 Lack of big chains/box stores, reliance on locallyowned merchants. Farmers market on weekends.
1862326 Conviently located
1862345 The fact that you don’’t have to drive or park you cantake the metro. Quiet, liberal town.
1862360 Nice Stores and the Sunday Farmer’’s Market.
1862369 Small-town feel.I forgot to mention that I frequent the farmer’’s market. I like it very much.
1862382 goods offered
1862421 Convenient to home some businesses have unique product offerings pedestrian friendly
1862437 Farmers MarketMain Street shops-not many chain shops/restaurantseasy to get to
1862463 some of the shops are interesting and the local restaurants are friendly.
1862516 The community / small town feel the absence of chain establishments (very important) the quality and affordability of the (two) restaurants I regularly visit.
1862529 Small town feel - but its really small.
1862557 The storefronts and the area where the Framer’’s mkt is
1862573 close, friendly not very expensive, interestinghealthful neighborly
1862587 Walking access, community feel.
1862589 Pedestrian friendly, vegetarian friendly, weeklyfarmer’’s market
1862785 Friendly, close, funky, one of a kind things, home town feeling
1862873 the new streetscape looks okay with the streetlights and the clock. I like some of the stores with colorful lights at night. Mostly it’’s ugly, though.
1862883 funky, diverse
1862941 Love the people the atmosfere the feeling of a small town
1862971 fun and funky storessupport local businessesno big chains
1862972 You, me, all of us. I hope we can succeed.I was sad that nimbiness stopped the neededgrowth in downtown TP. IMO we need a certain amount of growth.
1862973 small, quaint buildings, pedestrian friendly strip,independent shopkeepers
1862988 Farmer’’s market on weekends
1863078 boutique shops and services
1863177 I like the gazebo and the decorations at christmas time.I love roscoe. He gives the area character and apersonality. I appreciate that there are somany shopsso close to each otheran easy, short walk from oneto the others.
1863197 shopping, the people
1863215 likelihood of meeting friendsscalenear absence of chainswalkability
1863398 Local, independent Quality stores with friendly business owners (Mark’’s Kitchen, Now Then, etc)
1863422 the potential to be a full-entertainment destination
1863656 its very 60’’s., and the quaintness.
1863698 No ugly bldgs
1863814 The feeling of community. The Farmers Market
1863841 attractive, limited traffic, interesting mix ofofferings, friendly shop owners
1863918 The community meets everywhere at the ice cream shop, the farmer’’s market, Mark’’s.... But there is no tavern or publick house to meet.
1863930 The layout. The community feeling. The church steeple (which has a carillon and should be played every day!) The brick sidewalks (well not anymore!). That there is a memorial to a rooster. The clock tower. The bandstand (I wish it was used regularly though). The Neon trim on the Art Deco Buildings - more should be added and this could be a signature quotlookquot for TK.
1863963 I can walk there.the farmers marketfriendly, local feel
1863979 The architecture, sense of community (I usually see neighbors and friends), the cool video store
1864026 quaint and some good stores
1864046 Uniqueness
1864068 not sure which park you mean
1864095 There are none.
1864112 Local feel, small scale, nicely maintained
1864132 Pretty, low key, family friendly (kids around)
1864206 Eclectic shops, small town feel, friendly staff.
1864212 Walkability, friendly folks, shops catering to alternative lifestyles
1864214 It’’s my local downtown seeing friends and neighbors.
1864260 That you can walk everywhere
1864276 sense of community / streetscape on Laurel / people families
1864307 don’’t know
1864366 Some of the shops are nice with nice window displays (Now Then, SA Beads, etc.)
1864441 Walkable, unique shops, the farmer’’s market
1864597 Farmer’’s Market, variety of shops,
1864626 a
1864716 Funky, unique shops. Not chain stores but stores with their own personalities.
1864778 frequent bus routes, funky stores, farmer’’s market
1864919 The renovated storefronts, the flower pots and lampposts. the brick sidewalks are very nice too.
1864922 farmers market, local owners
1864940 Independently owned and interesting businesses.Farmers Market atmosphereplaces to sit and take in the ambiance (park, benches, coffee shops)
1864942 small scale of areawalkable
1864993 local ownership, unique stores and items
1865157 The appearance of the town quotsquarequot at the clock, the unusual stores, the convenience
1865187 The ice cream parlor
1865199 The types of stores, the proximity to other stores.
1865267 The people, and walkable
1865272 Icecream, friendly people, open spaces
1865283 it’’s quaint
1865588 Fabulous shopkeepers aesthetics, especiallyarchitecture, green, etc range of businessestypically available parking small town sense
1865785 The quotold town feelsquot - shops, people, benches
1865971 A few nice businesses (Mark’’s Now and Then A Mano)Vicinity to MetroAbsence of franchises
1866036 Existing buildings not destroyed or gutted.
1866231 eclectic stores. local people shopping locally, small scale. It’’s real. It’’s not a mall planned by a developer to look like quotdowntown.quot I can walk there from home. I can usually find a parking spot if I want to do a quick errand. We love the sunday market (esp. the Banjo Man).
1866538 The unique stores - gift shops and antique stores
1866563 Local indepedant shops, quotgreenquot feeling from most shops/people. Old Town feeling. We really need a real restaurant here.
1866707 quaint stores, easy walking distance between stores, original unique venues, lack of chain stores
1866716 My neighborhood.Close by. Walkable and parkable.Interesting small businesses, including farmer’’s market.
1866878 It looks nice - the architecture is attractive and the streets and sidewalks are clean, in good repair, and pretty.
1866994 Local flavor and supporting the community. I would prefer to shop in TP but there simply aren’’t enough choices.
1867015 Downtown area is very unattractive
1867259 The unique storefronts, not all cut from the same cloth. A sense of whimsy. The farmer’’s market, the pavilion.
1867379 Pedestrian friendly, Sunday Farmers Market!
1867414 local ownership, off-beat designs and styles, small town feel, and it is great running into people you know up there
1867567 The quaintness...you do not find it in this area. NO chain restaurants, locally owned small businesses.
1867570 The interesting shops the Farmer’’s Market. I prefer to walk to shop in Takoma Park, and downtown is within walking distance of where I live.
1867786 Small scaleMix of BusinessesUsefulness of Businesses (many I use frequently)Local ownership
1867810 Some wonderful people and stores. Events. Politicalfocus.
1867888 ambience quantness
1867899 No chain stores, funky atmosphere
1868048 variety of shops friendly, pleasant service at the stores and restaurants easy walk from my home attractive, small town feel the Sunday farmers market
1868136 small scale, local shops
1868173 It has a feeling of place and belonging. The gazebo. Stone church makes you feel like you’’re somewherehistoric. Cute houses with nice landscaping.
1868239 neighborhood feel quirky and unique basic needs are met safe and well lit friendly facades are for the most part charming
1868255 pedestrian-friendly, easy parking, old town charm
1868266 I can walk downtown in less than 5 minutes. The bank and postoffice are there. There are lots of public trashcans.
1868282 The small town feeling, which includes our local post office.The friendliness of merchants. I’’m not likely to return to a shop where the staff is unfriendly.Proximity.
1868341 Architecturethe old buildingsUnique shopsnot corporate chainsColorful and artistic
1868352 Its not full of fast food joints and has a villagefeel
1868441 Low rise nature of the buildings, Proximity to METRO. Small town feel of the old town area.
1868458 We greatly value the ability to walk to downtown from where we live. We cherish the variety of shopping options - tho previous questions didn’’t give the opportunity to say so, we frequently patronize the Coop, Now and Then, Amano, Middle East Market, and Shampoo among others. We greatly appreciate the ability to buy food, clothes and gifts locally without getting in a car and going elsewhere. It’’s important to us that we personally know many of the business owners and often see friends and neighbors when shopping, going to Video Americain, getting our hair cut, at the Farmer’’s Market, etc. The mere existence of a well kept downtown area with a variety of shops is a treasure in this area of sprawl.
1868466 variety of businesses and restaurants, ethinic flair, walkable
1868468 Its walkability Sense of community (often seeing neighbors/acquaintances) Local ownership
1868469 proximity to my house and metro
1868481 non-corporative businesses
1868484 Having Post Office and bank within walking distance
1868493 small scale buildings and businesses locally owned
1868513 ambiance
1868542 the people-friendly architecturenot gradiose and the friendliness of merchants now here.
1868545 walking distance from my housepleasant walking environment
1868560 The ambiance. I love the Farmer’’s Market on Sundays, the friendliness of the shop owners, and the accessibility. I also like the variety, I’’m very fond of Fair Day’’s Play and Mark’’s Kitchn as well as the Music shop. Everyone is very knowledgable about their products. Joanne at Park Florist is extremely helpful and encouraging to work with, and that keeps me coming back to her again and again.
1868565 shape
1868571 close to my houseinteresting mix of businesseslocal ownership
1868574 Can walk there easily. Love the Farmers Market. Use the post office, Mark’’s Kitchen, Summer Delights, Finewares.
1868592 I love the small scale and the fact that I can walk there. In general the business owners enjoy the children of the neighborhood.
1868605 Charming independent shops, friendly owners and staff, interesting merchandise, walkable nature of town, relaxed atmosphere where one meets neighbors and stops to chat.
1868607 The only pedestrian friendly part is old town. Theco-op is nice, but the across the steet space, withthe mural, is not as interesting as it could be. Ivote for a fountain.
1868629 locally owned shops, diverse offerings
1868647 The CVS parking lot (only kidding that’’s a friggin’’eyesore!!). Metro proximity. Compact, reasonablywalkable (small enough, but some of the intersectionsare a little funky).
1868733 That it feels like a community. That, clearly, theshop owners are invested in their businesses. Thatthe’’re is a post office. The sidewalks, center plazaand signage. That there is a farmer’’s market.
1868747 Snotty, superior quotliberal kidsquot
1868900 Quiet streets, outdoor market, friendly shops
1868948 Pleasant atmosphere
1869055 It is a very friendly place, but boy could it use some updating. It is terrible to see shops in such disrepair and to see the empty spots.
1869167 convenience small town atmoshpere
1869188 It’’s walkable and traffic isn’’t too bad - quick to getin and out of.
1869212 small, progressive, locally-owned businesses committed to enhancing community life with special events (Street Festival, music,, farmers market, etc)
1869393 Proximity
1869464 Lots of questions about parking - I generally prefer walking or METRO (and these are two very attractive aspects of TK PK)
1869558 Ambiance, feeling of community.
1869593 unsure
1869614 access to video store, post office, now and then, house of musical traditions, Mark’’s kitchen and eclectic menu
1869705 The human scalelack of long lines in shopsmeeting friends and neighbors
1869726 Small town feeling
1869959 community feel nice look
1870003 Local businessesCommunity feelArchitecturePedestrian friendly
1870025 unique
1870168 The people, the hominess, the history
1870194 it’’s close.it’’s my home.it feels samll townit’’s getting more attractive
1870204 Proximity
1870209 Farmers Market.Easy ParkingGreenery
1870478 proximity, low-key friendliness, lack of mall-style,useless chackies. in answer to a previous question, besides a winebar, we’’d love a book store w/ new used books
1870726 nothing. I only go there for the post office and sometimes the bank. if i had time and money, it would be nice to browse the shops.
1870762 I don’’t think it is an attractive area. Very run down looking.
1870793 Sense of community knowing people on the street knowing shop owners eclectic, non-homoginized.
1871163 Within walking distance from my house relaxedatmosphere fun, quirky shops small shops (no big boxstores)
1871395 Proximity to by house
1872183 Gazebo seems underutilized. Street beautification by city very nice. Stores like A Mano, Now and Then, HMT with good qualty or nowhere-else-to be found stuff or great attitude.
1872450 It’’s quaint, but really too small to really sustain much more than a passing interest. More and more, it seems I just drive through Takoma Park on my way to better shopping and more options in Silver Spring. And the block of run down businesses at Takoma Junction is just depressing - why can’’t something be done to develop that?
1872494 it’’s near my house
1872515 Quirky, home-town feeling. Can walk there from where Ilive.
1873194 1. Intresting uniqueness of shops one is able to find items not always found in Shopping Malls.2. Closeness to Metro3. Availability of restaurants to shops4. Fun and neighborly atmosphere
1873424 main streetfarmers market
1873709 charm and small town feel
1874000 It is small-scale, attractive (except for the auto repair place) and chain-free (except for the inexplicable Subway).
1874383 walkability small shops friendly storeowners community trees and flowers big sidewalks and benches
1874557 It’’s close to home, and shop people recognize me as a customer.
1874918 Set up of stores, location,
1876131 character, personality
1876311 variety, some key services - post office, now and then, shampoo
1876373 Great old town and downtown feel- stores concentrated in one area, good hanging out and chatting with neighbors space.
1876641 other places are more attractive and offer more things to do
1878432 Small unique shops and restaurants, and the Farmer’’sMarket.
1878743 Unique non-franchise businesses offering good quality goods/services. (Except many in our neighborhood like Subway.)
1878751 farmers market
1878823 .
1878979 It’’s a good community place on Sundays during the farmers market, but pretty dead most other times. It seems that the more SS develops, the fewer people come to TP (I admit I’’m guilty of that myself). A couple of vintage stores are not enough to attract people to the People’’s Republic. (BTW, is there enough demand for old clothes to keep 5 vintage stores in business, but no hardware store, bakery or bookstore??) More could be done to develop row of shops along Carroll. Because it gets more traffic, perhaps it would attract more people. Parking can easily be found on side streets.
1879086 walkable
1879128 Pedestrian-friendly (wide sidewalks), clean and safe, run into lots of neighbors, friendly and local store and restaurant owners, Farmer’’s Market!
1879324 The facade, the plantings, the window displays
1881324 close to home
1881410 independent shops post office
1882589 Old Vintage or Historic Buildings
1884888 It is our community, I do appreciate the Farmers Market, I like that I know the owners
1884985 local, non chains, good values, support independentbusinesses
1885623 Utterly unique shops, can find cards, gifts nowhere else, beauty of small-scale preserved buildings, trees, B of America has good service, can sit down have coffee write in journal at both Savorys, would patronize Everyday Gourmet much more often if it had restroom for customers. Pride and joy in preserving TP in the face of North Central Freeway threat, we must do same in Silver Spring against Purple Line. Support of great things like TP Folk Fest July 4 Parade, generally progressive things.
1886428 Personality and reflection of the town’’s identity in the stores/restaurants.
1887430 Farmer’’s market, local crafts and artisans, layout
1889758 veg ffriedly
1890049 freindly atmosphere, not very congested, open spaces
1890948 Seeing friends from the neighborhood/schoolFamiliarity with the business owners/staffSupporting the community I live in
1891796 interesting stores, cool neon signs and storefronts,weekly farmer’’s market, neighborhood feel and absenceof chains, small businesses
1891802 Locally owned one-of-a-kind businesses. Fair Trade stores like Sangha, Fair Day’’s Play, and coop. Kid-friendly atmosphere. Parking almost always available.
1891810 easily accessible, knowledgeable and local owners, vegetarian choices in restaurants, businesses used as local group meeting spaces, businesses involved in environmental and community concerns.
1892792 independently owned busniness, funky interesting shops, ease of parking on or off street, farmers market, pedestrian oriented streetscape, metro access
1893023 I like that it is like a small town and I see people I know. I love Amano and get a lot of my clothes there. I like friendly and familiar shopkeepers, like at Mark’’s, Amano and Videoamericain. ( I forgot to mention that I frequent the latter a lot!)
1893285 The variety in the shops, the small-town atmosphere, and that the shops are locally owned.
1893503 Variety and small town feel
1893508 its hippie leftie persona
1893509 Sunday market
1893540 walkability
1893559 The businesses that keep people on the streets, especially in the evening - Summer Delights, Video Americain, Mark’’s and the Middle eastern restaurant, Subway, Takoma park BikesIt may not be so much attractive but the utility abd proximity of Old Town Auto shop is very important - a real plus that may be overlooked
1894189 Looks used/authentic, not shiny and newFarmers MarketUnique Businesses
1894195 Pedestrian Landscape
1894599 Relaxed atmosphere, friendly merchants I’’ve known for years.
1894932 It’’s very tight, meaning most of it is all at hand. Being near the Metro is great. The stores seem unique and creative.
1895178 walkability and nearness to home
1895212 public transport access
1895499 It’’s lively during the Sunday farmers’’ market, but otherwise pretty dead.
1896398 small sizeeasy parkinglocally owned businessescharming character
1896438 The historic houses
1898073 The fact that you don’’t have to drive there becauseyou already live there (but it’’s impractical to walkto downtown Takoma Park if it has only one store onyour shopping list, only one place to hang outafterwards that is open (at a time) and you must driveeverywhere else!) For everywhere else, Takoma’’s metroconnection is the only reason it is not obsolete,since it doesn’’t have as much quotunique characterquot as itused to. Architecture alone doesn’’t make an quotoldtownquot culturally unique. A sense of community,affordability so that unique stores (like Arise) areeconomically feasible in this location given that itis not on any major highways: Focus on bringing in that extra 10% of customers fromelswhere via Metro, a unique resource. 10% is yourprofit margin. Also, right now the rents are geared to high trafficstores only. That means even with many Metro goersflocking into Takoma Park to window-shop, uniquestores can’’
1905530 Friendly store owners, ( Mayor Mark), some good window displays
1914679 farmers market and now and then and antique shops
1914944 It is very convienient to where I live, has some niceshops and the farmers market.
1914989 Walkable from home.Metro.Farmers’’ mkt.House of Musical Trads.
1915144 pedestrian safety,small-town charactersmallness of it and ability to control the environment,kid-friendliness
1915314 non-chain stores mercahnts who know me and the community.
1915346 Trees, attempts to look interesting
1915350 Small size, locally-owned businesses, the fact thatit’’s near my home.
1915446 easy walking distance from many neighborhoods, farmersmarket
1915495 The farmers market, and the non-chain store ambience
1917120 Small shops, ethnic restaurants
1918024 The concentrated business district with stores.
1918119 Local shops, attactive, welcoming design of sidewalks and buildings, interesting things to buy and look at.
1918717 Architecture of buildings and houses in the commercial area, sidewalks and streetlamps, trees.
1918910 close, walkable streets, certain charm
1918928 Patronizing means maintaining a quottown centerquot as community anchor pedestrian-friendly adequate parking friendly service from locally owned business.
1921251 Relaxed, eclectic
1924121 Aesthetic design, small town feel (though Re run is pretty ugly)
1924225 Interesting local shops, Farmer’’s market, walkable,friendly, community feel, festivals in summer,bulliton boards with local events, kid-friendly
1924226 the clock
1924228 Old buildings and adjacent Victorian-era homes well maintained streets and sidewalks, landscaping. Lots of quotrecreational shoppingquot opportunitiesas well as Post Office, 2 banks, restaurants.
1924240 Architecture, green spaces
1924264 family owned businesses, art deco architecture,1310running into neighbors and friends
1924267 Proximity, personal relationship.
1924284 Hometown feel
1924303 Proximity to my home, mostly independent, locally-owned businesses, community oriented
1924362 proximity, atmosphere
1924395 Why do you keep making required essay questions?
1924488 Authenticity
1924509 small scale, funky shops,strong community feeling, green space well integrated with streets and shops,yoga studio Sangha Liz Lerhman are very importantto quality of life in Takoma Park. More destinationsthat offer classes, lessons, opportunities to meet engage people in learning/defining alternativelifestyles may be more important than a traditionalsell quotstuffquot kind of store. I think it is probablyWillow Street yoga and Shangha that bring people toTakoma Park. I think it would be great if we couldturn the green space accross from what used to beArise into a community garden!
1924546 variety of shopsfriendliness of shop owners
1924551 Appealing small downtown location, unusual retail stores, family owned businesses
1924590 Community ambience, quality products, local ownership
1924623 friendly and fun
1924624 Proximity to my home. I like that there are no chainstores, and that it has its own quiet charm. Too badabout the CVS
1924654 Charm cleanliness friendly people good service.
1924673 long established businesses, Familiarity with owners/ long-time employees, friendly, intimate ,etc.
1924683 lighting...variety of stores
1924694 I like the 3-way intersection, but think it’’sunfortunate that there are so many institutionalbuildings there that the Willow Street building is cutoff. I like the several little restaurants, though Ireally only go to Pizza Movers and MidEast Kitchen. Ilike seeing so many neighbors on foot, and thecloseness of the little playground to places where Ishop because of the diversity of stores, my husband,son and I can spend an hour downtown, and each of usdo what we most want to do. I think the small scaleof the stores is really essentially to keeping thisquotwalking downtownquot possible.
1924698 Proximity to MetroFarmer’’s MarketPleasant Sidewalks
1924701 It’’s walkable and aesthetically pleasant.
1924719 unique shops, kid friendly,
1924730 small local shopsquiet sidewalkstreesresidential neighborhood with small shopping districtno chain businessesresidents enjoy their own neighborhoodintellectual vibe
1924735 not a whole lot
1924741 small community feel, local ownership
1924762 The median, wide sidewalks, light traffic
1924774 Pedestrian life.....teh walking culture.
1924778 I have to stop answering this survey
1924804 walkability, diversity/uniqueness of shops, that practical services (dry cleaning) are interspersed with other more eclectic shops.
1924812 The easy walkability and the architecture
1924813 Gazebo green space, tile in sidewalks. Need morepublic art and designated public gathering space.
1924815 Charm, sense of community, variety of goods and services available.
1924821 I feel that by going to downtown I am participating in keeping downtown a viable place to have a business I don’’t go there to be quotentertainedquot
1924838 Farmer’’s Market, eclectic nature of the few stores that are there.
1924846 small-town feel, walkability
1924849 Farmer’’s Market, stores like Now Then, alternative practitioners like chiropractors, naturalpaths, etc.
1924854 Walkability of downtown area.
1924859 Farmer’’s market. Easy parking. Shops not too spread out.
1924954 the green space is really nice. i also really appreciate the locally owned businesses (e.g., Amano, Now and Then, etc.)
1925085 Smallness, compactness, community feel, the market, the playground full of kids on Sundays.
1925089 Nice wide street and funky interesting facades of the stores.
1925104 The metro, Big Bad Wolff, CVS, dry cleaners (on Carroll) and ocassionally Red Grill. My daugther likes the prices of items at the 4th Street Market.
1925113 locally owned, landscape, famers market
1925196 I like the median, and the open space across from it. I often wonder why it seems like there is no quottherequot there in downtown TP. For a city with such a sense of identity, it really seems to lack something downtown. Places for people to hang out? (Aside from Savory). An independent bookstore with a cafe would be a great addition.
1925246 community feel
1925261 Community, visual appearance
1925310 nothing
1925354 Scale and variety
1925450 The fact that it has an old town charm to it, as well as being a wonderful community in which to live.
1925481 In walking distance, charm, some of the local stores (Now and Then/Culture Shop)
1925491 People.
1925636 friendliness, shops and restaurants close to each other, metro accessible, places to sit and rest
1925656 It’’s walkable and has a nice quotfeel.quot
1925719 the clean streets
1925730 architecture and small scale, large sidewalks, old trees/church greenspace, uniqueness of independently owned shops, quiet, essential services (P.O., CVS, banks) in close proximity
1925911 Farmer’’s Market bread Mark’’s Kitchen
1926132 small-town atmosphere, like-minded people, unusual goods
1926472 I live here and I picked my house so that I could walk to many things. The neighbors can not support all shops necessary. Need more parking to keep shops in business. My shop choices when wandering around are limited. We need a larger and more vibrant old town with parking (so they can stay in business. We need rent control for the business section as well so the the monopoly of a few are not driving up the $ for renting business concern.
1926475 I like the new streetscape for the farmers market area and the cute tiles on the sidewalk leading to the coop. In general, I like the ability to walk to shops, and sit on benches. I really like that I can walk there (15 mintues)from my home.
1926482 Now and Then, Playground, and Mark’’s
1926605 eclectic mix of shops and no chainspeople walking on the streets
1926606 Charming, quaint historical downtown, farmers’’ market, one-of-a-kind shops with individualized service, shops and services close to one another so many errands can be accomplished in one trip,
1927137 .
1927420 Quaint shops Reasonable pricesFriendly shopownersSmall town appeal
1927566 historical buildingsmetro accessible, walkable, pedestrian friendlyunpretentious, informal shopsfew chain stores
1928108 Everything in walking distance.
1928323 The rooster.Proximity to residential neighborhood -its an easy walk from my house.Easy (though ugly) walk from metro.Farmers market.Parking.Video store open long hours.Post office.Coffee shops.
1929454 I see people I know.It is very close to where I live.Free wireless Internet.Parking is convenient.
1929474 Farmer’’s market, walking distance from my house.
1929753 I like that there are no strip malls or chains (except CVS). I like the walkability. However I do think there is A LOT of untapped potential. I end up patronizing Silver Spring more often because there are more businesses in close proximity so it winds up being more efficient.
1930289 many unique shops, old buildings, neighborly feel
1931677 Main strip of Laurel and Carroll (i.e. from Eastern to the Amano building)
1932755 Farmer’’s market is good, and wonderful people.
1932787 Walkable, banks, pharmacy, post office, Middle EastRestaurant, interesting shops which are ’’a little bitdifferent’’, video store, farmers market, gazebo, HMT,the rooster,
1933039 Old town feel, quaintness
1933972 community atmosphere
1938003 The local stores with *great character* and neat,niche goods. The last thing we need is more SilverSpring/Bethesda chains. Now that Dupont is going thatway too, maybe Takoma Old Town will have a biggerdraw, a small scale Alexandria Old Town for Montgomeryand PG Counties. I would be wary of getting too folkythough. If Takoma’’s reputation grows any more in thatdirection, it will limit the draw.
1951061 It’’s walkable and a good place to meet people. It has character.
1955617 The businesses are in close proximity, you only have to park once. The buildings are attractive and quothomeyquot - feel like you are in a unique place
1970626 Farmers MarketVideo storeMark’’s kitchen