Sharpsburg mayor says town is open for business

SHARPSBURG — Mayor Hal Spielman said he supports the efforts of the newly formed Sharpsburg Merchants and Community Association, a group of residents and business owners hoping to attract more businesses to town.

The mayor said he welcomes new businesses to set up shop in town, but noted that not enough parking along Main Street is partly to blame for the lack of businesses there.

"We've been open for business, and we're interested in attracting new businesses," he said. "The problem in Sharpsburg is (lack of) foot traffic. Parking is a problem.

"We're going to meet with them at a workshop to answer any questions they may have and to see what we can do."

A date for the workshop has not been set.

Members of the association met last month at Captain Bender's Tavern to talk about bringing in more businesses.

The goal of the group is to preserve the historic legacy of the town while fostering a positive environment for economic growth. It also wants to help the public understand that the growth of small businesses is vital for the community to survive.

Sharpsburg is just a stone's throw away from Antietam National Battlefield, but the group said the town is doing little to capitalize on the popular tourist attraction.

Spielman said at one time, the town was home to many businesses.

"We have had a number of businesses in here, but they left," he said. "That was around 30 to 35 years ago."

Sharpsburg is home to about 13 businesses, he said. They include two hair salons, a dog groomer, an ice-cream parlor, an accountant, bank, two taverns and three bed-and-breakfast inns.

The town also is home to the Marketplace of Sharpsburg, an antique and vintage shop on North Church Street, and Victory Garden Ranch, a veterans' wellness center on West Main Street.

GeGe's Place, a pizza shop and bar at 208 S. Church St., was forced to shut down after it caught fire Feb. 5.

Spielman said although the town doesn't offer tax incentives to attract new businesses, it does have a designated "business district" that runs along Md. 34, also known as Main Street, including the town square.

The business district is designated in the town zoning ordinance as "TC," or Town Center District, and allows for retail, which includes antique shops, apparel, books, flowers, hardware, musical instruments, paint and furniture. Professional offices, including banks, medical, law and real estate, also are allowed.

What is not allowed are franchise restaurants or fast-food establishments with drive-thru service, according to the town's zoning ordinance.

Spielman said the process to open shop within the business district is much easier than within the residential area of the town.

"They would have to get a special exception to open in the residential area," he said.