The Berlin
Cit itiz ize en
Volume 14, Number 47
Berlin’s Only Hometown Newspaper
Thursday, November 25, 2010
This is Main Street — a quiet revival in Kensington By Olivia L. Lawrence The Berlin Citizen
The idea of Main Street is as American as baseball and apple pie. It’s an iconic image in every form of American art. It was a “main” character in Sinclair Lewis’ satirical novel. As a term widely used to describe the primary street in any town or village, Main Street can be conceptual or real. Main Street, Kensington, is both. (There’s also a Main Street in East Berlin that is predominantly residential.) About seven-tenths of a mile from start to finish, it’s a mix of commercial and residential. Main Street, Kensington is also a community of people who take their place there seriously. Being on Main Street “has a certain ring to it,” said Mike Jeske, owner of Jeske’s Catering Services, 380 Main St. His site has long been associated with food services as it once housed Grand Central Restaurant. “There’s some nostalgia here when some of the old-timers come in.” Eileen Clark refers to Main
Main Street shares billing with Farmington Avenue.
Looking east, from the Main Street intersection with Kensington Road. Street as “Mayberry”, the idyllic town from The Andy Griffith Show. Clark owns Echo Consignment, 355 Main St. “The shop owners are all very friendly. We all go to each other’s shops. Sometimes we’re out there sweeping the sidewalk, waving hello.” Echo Consignment opened July 1. Clark checked out a few possible spots for her clothing store before deciding the Main Street location was the best fit. “I really
liked the village atmosphere of Main Street,” she said. “And I could see that they were doing renovations to the street. I liked that it was improving.” The southernmost corners of Main Street are anchored by Mommy and Me and Dairy Queen. At the north end is the Lofts at Sherwood Falls. Just considering these key sites, the idea that a revival is underway seems logical. Within the last couple of years; Mommy and
Me has expanded with a new department Lazy Daisies Furniture and Gifts. DQ has grown as well, with a seasonal outdoor patio overlooking the downtown crossroads of Main and Farmington Avenue. The Kensington-Berlin YMCA has upgraded its facility. And at 1 Main St., the
Sherwood Falls project has taken a derelict old mill and turned it into stylish housing all the while preserving an historic landmark building. Town Manager Denise McNair said this small section of town has “huge value” and along with Farmington Avenue creates a commercial hub that will be further bolstered as commuter services are more fully developed. Furthermore, Kensington’s Main Street has the potential to expand along an axis that
See Main, page 9
The Lofts at Sherwood Falls are one-third complete and unit sales are strong. With more than 75 households, at completion, the project is expected to add life to the area.
Citizen photos by Olivia L. Lawrence
Looking west on Main Street, the area is anchored by Mommy and Me and Dairy Queen, longtime downtown businesses. As the street sign shows, Main Street shares its downtown center status with Farmington Avenue, but Main Street business people say their street has an identity all its own.