Neighbors are upset about a new tobacco shop in Pointer Ridge, worried it’ll hurt their community, but city officials say they can’t control what landlords do. They’re trying to figure out how to attract better businesses and remind folks that supporting local shops with real dollars is key.
Here are the highlights:
- Residents of Collington Station expressed anger at a newly opened tobacco shop in Pointer Ridge.
- Concerns were raised about the negative impact of the shop on the community.
- City officials noted that commercial landlords and tenants decide which businesses open in the area.
- In Maryland, counties make zoning laws, and Bowie lacks land use power.
- Residents attended a meeting with County Councilmember Ingrid Watson to discuss concerns and potential remedies.
- There is a growing focus on business quality in local discussions.
- Residents want to attract and retain desirable businesses in their communities.
- Business owners report that they prefer locations with guaranteed customer interest.
- Community members are encouraged to support desired businesses financially rather than just through social media.
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Tobacco shop has neighbors fuming
Several speakers at Monday's council meeting expressed anger at a tobacco shop recently opened in Pointer Ridge.
The speakers, predominantly residents of Collington Station, described concern the shop would negatively impact their corridor. City officials discussed the fact commercial landlords and interested tenants are the main decision makers concerning which businesses open where.
In several states, including Maryland, counties–rather than cities–make zoning laws, the broad rules setting where and how development and certain economic activity can take place. Bowie does not have land use power and does not decide with whom commercial landlords lease their space.
Several of the concerned residents attended a subsequent open meeting with new Prince George's County Councilmember Ingrid Watson to voice concerns and discuss potential remedies.
Business quality has come up more frequently in local discussions, and understandably so. Residents, longtime and new, want the best for their communities, and the city has been working on new methods to attract and retain choice businesses.
In many now frequent discussions with local business owners, the main feedback the city hears is that businesses tend to set up where they're very sure to already have interested customers. Business owners frequently bemoan that online expressions of support for small, independent outfits often don't translate into actual paying customers.
Community members seeking more of a particular business type in their area are encouraged to spend money on those desired businesses, whether here or nearby. Local commercial owners are fond of point out that brick and mortar stores survive on dollars, not social media comments.