Denton's New Vibe: Tracey F. Johns

Put yourself (safely) in a place of street concerts, outdoor poetry readings, cornhole tournaments, farm-to-table dining experiences and waterfront parks. Now place these experiences on a hilltop along the picturesque Choptank River and you’ll find yourself experiencing the new vibe of Denton, Maryland.

Denton’s new vibe resonates with a feeling of renewed and reimagined energy, firmly rooted in the Town’s early beginnings and as a nod to its original name, Edentown.

Denton was first named after the last royal governor of Maryland, Sir Robert Eden. The name Edentown became shortened over time to Denton, with the tiny settlement established in 1781, and incorporating in 1802.

Eden, however, also means a delightful place or paradise; celebrating a blissful state of great delight, happiness or contentment. And today, Denton embraces that ‘edenistic’ spirit by drawing artists and art-lovers together in celebration of the Town’s culinary, visual and entertainment delights.

“Denton is a mix of old and new, with the past a vital part of who we are as we also embrace the new,” says Downtown Denton Main Street Manager Audrey Clemens. “The vibe of Denton’s is a tapestry of life on the Eastern Shore.”

That tapestry includes the new

Wharves of Choptank Visitor & Heritage Center and a downtown filled with businesses and events that summon your senses with live music playing in the streets, artist’s creations catching your eyes and the sumptuous scents of coffee roasting or the grill firing up at a local restaurant to tempt your taste buds.

The new visitor center is located riverside in Crouse Park and offers a great place for travelers to stop, stretch their legs, find information on Caroline County and its towns, and take in the views of the Choptank River. The center also has a boat ramp and nature trail.

Denton’s cultural art offerings are rich and include the Fiber Arts Center of Maryland, the Arts Council Gallery on Artsway, the Museum of Rural Life and the Chesapeake Culinary Center.

Denton draws people downtown with businesses that include an expanding Market Street Pub, Harry’s Food & Spirits, Shore Gourmet; Nich’s Coffee Shop and craft coffee roaster Night Kitchen; boutique shops like What’s New Shop, Meraki, Joviality Gifts and Patti’s Petals Florist, Gardens and Gifts; and other art businesses like Kent Liberty Tattoo.

“We have utilized our community lawn across from our local coffee shop for movie nights, open mic nights, poetry readings, and Downtown Denton Farmers Market on

Tues. evenings,” says Downtown Denton Main Street President and Patti’s Petals owner Patti Wood. Wood says that storefronts are filled with something for everyone and that the town hosts monthly scavenger hunts and a Third Thursday event where shops stay open

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late, restaurants have specials and a cornhole tournament takes place each spring through early fall. She says an automobile Cruise-In also takes place every 2nd Friday of the month when car enthusiasts come together to show off their muscle cars, street rods, dragsters and more.

Kent Liberty Tattoo Owner Sean Parker says he believes Denton is in transition to finding its new vibe.

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“This town has so much potential as the perfect day trip town,” says Parker. “Denton is slowly bringing in young entrepreneurs and more businesses that are for the general public to explore. Historic downtown is so beautiful. It’s a relaxing place for older adults and slowly becoming modern for the young to enjoy the day as well.” Parker also says he foresees more and more business opening up in Denton in the next few years. He says he sees the town rebuilding and making places available for anyone who wants to start a retail store, a service or a restaurant. “This town has greatly helped me and my business, and I hope people can see what this town has done for

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me and be encouraged to live here to further their dreams and to be a part of a great town.”

Downtown Denton Main Street has a mission to bring together the community to foster civic pride, promote economic vitality and pre-

serve and develop the cultural and historical resources of Denton. Recent activities include revitalizing the 3rd Street Green and leveraging the Town’s recent designation as a Maryland Arts & Entertainment District.

Maryland’s Arts & Entertainment (A&E) Districts help develop and promote community involvement, tourism, and revitalization through tax-related incentives that attract artists, arts organizations and other creative enterprises to towns and cities across the State.

Maryland’s 28 Arts & Entertainment Districts are unique destinations, each district reflecting the traditions and evolving culture of its community and welcoming resi-

dents and visitors to experience the best Maryland has to offer, with more at msac.org.

Downtown Denton Main Street is part of Main Street Maryland, a comprehensive downtown revitalization program created in 1998 by the Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development and the National Trust for Historic Preservation’s Main Street Program.

You can plan your experience in this delightful, friendly destination with more at downtownden-

ton.com.

Tracey Johns is a storyteller, engaging local, regional and national audiences through her words and photography. She has worked in communications, marketing and business management for more than 30 years, including non-profi t leadership. Tracey’s work is focused on public and constituent relations, along with communication strategies, positioning and brand development and project management.

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