Doylestown’s been doing a lot these past couple of years.
Now that our marvelous Broad Street Commons Park is open, our borough administration has moved to the beautifully rehabbed and repurposed Borough Hall and new residential/retail space is under construction.
Doylestown Borough government and staff deserve recognition and appreciation for creating an inclusive new vibe that connects the north end of town to our vibrant downtown and cultural district.
But now, we should look at the south end of town, specifically South Main Street.
Anchored by the reliable and convenient CVS store since the pandemic (and in some cases, long before), a great group of small, locally owned businesses are gaining a foothold up and down South Main Street from the Doylestown Agricultural Works all the way to the Moravian Tile-inspired new Wawa.
Carefully curated Heather Bleu Home has been a unique and charming boutique at its Hart Avenue and Main Street location for many years.
Salons line both sides of the street, a float studio and medical offices are tucked away in the small office park and specialty shops like Monkey’s Uncle, L&H Couture, Nomad Supply Company and Bike Works Doylestown offer residents and visitors more shopping options with easy parking.
There’s the local gas station, auto repair shops, a car wash, several bank branches and long-time borough fixtures Doylestown Produce, Keystone Volvo Doylestown and Weichert Realtors.
Two great new restaurants have become neighbors near South Main Street and Hart Avenue — Las Frida’s Mexican Kitchen and Opa Grille — recently opened by a favorite Doylestown restaurateur with a new partner.
Finally, there’s a little spot to get morning coffee, goodies and any number of gourmet delights at Wheat & Vine Provisions Co.’s newest location — right next door to local jewelry designer, Sarah Cornwell’s first brick and mortar retail shop, which opened in the fall.
If it sounds like I’m doing an ad, maybe I am. It’s a perfect mix of practical and pleasurable, and like all of our town, accessible to SEPTA’s Regional Rail line and the Route 38 bus.
With all this great stuff happening in the south end of Doylestown, it’s time for borough management to focus on bringing attention to the south side of our commercial district.
Traffic calming measures as motorists exit Route 611 and Route 202, would help create a pedestrian-friendly shopping district.
The borough planning commission “advises on matters of community growth and development” and “can also serve as a way for citizens to make their views known on growth, planning and the direction the Borough is taking.”
Meetings are held on the fourth Tuesday of each month at 7:30 p.m. It would be great to get some plans in place and invite people into our southern gateway.
Mary Hughes lives in Doylestown.
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