[RP TownTalk] Dumm's

Mon Aug 16 15:37:41 UTC 2010

I've always found the management receptive to ideas, in fact, they did try
out selling artisan bread a couple of seasons ago - providing an outlet
during the winter for the bread that is offered at the Farmers Market. It's
not much profit for the amount of space it takes up, and it has a one day
shelf life. So for a small store, it may not be ideal - but they tried it.
I've seen Dumm's widen its wine selection over the years, and the owners
report that wine sales are successful.

And, while I understand the aesthetic objection to bullet proof glass and to
a store front you can't see into, there are legitimate reasons we can't take
lightly. The owner installed the glass in the weeks after a gunpoint robbery
took place at the store, in which his own family members' lives were
threatened. He hired a talented cabinetry firm to do the installation and, I
think, compared to other bullet proof glass counters, it looks pretty good -
real oak, nice counters, and the glass is always clean. I don't love bullet
proof glass either, but the owner wouldn't have spent the money to do it if
he didn't think the safety of his sons and workers was at stake.

While the window display, I agree, could be upgraded, overall Dumm's is
among the better maintainers of their commercial property. We probably think
about their property more because we actually frequent it a lot (which is
good).

For the first time, the Town will be utilizing our Community Development
Block Grant funds to provide incentives and financial support to businesses
to invest in facade enhancement. Paired with aggressive code enforcement,
the Town is working to improve the appearance of our commercial areas.
Securing the M-UTC zoning overlay provided more control over use, signage
and exterior design when new development occurs. The Town, represented by CM
Lingua, has been working to secure zoning tools and create a community
development organization dedicated to Kenilworth Avenue revitalization.
 Could more be done - yes, always.

I agree that we should be able to strive for improvement in a spirit of
support and collaboration with the owners, and with each other.

- Alice

On Mon, Aug 16, 2010 at 8:14 AM, Andrew Salgadoe <asalgadoe at yahoo.com>wrote:

> Bruce and Sue,
>
> I guess I'm outnumbered here and I should shut up and leave Dumm's alone.
> I've been in RP for 8 years. When we moved here our home looked like a crack
> house and now its completely made over and adds to our town's charm. I just
> want our businesses to do the same.
>
> I will write to Pete and see if he can at least take down the beer ads and
> make the place look more inviting.
>
>
> Sent from Yahoo! Mail on Android
>
>  ------------------------------
> * From: * bruce.wernek at mindspring.com <bruce.wernek at mindspring.com>;
> * To: * Andrew Salgadoe <asalgadoe at yahoo.com>; towntalk at riverdale-park.org<
> towntalk at riverdale-park.org>; David Lingua <djlingua at yahoo.com>;
> * Subject: * Re: [RP TownTalk] Dumm's
> * Sent: * Mon, Aug 16, 2010 4:07:02 AM
>
>   Drew
>
>
>
> I've got to tell you that I've never seen a post so disrespectful of the
> hardworking good natured folks who own and work at Dumm's.
>
>
>
> Pete and his family have been operating Dumm's this town for ~20 years and
> I'm happy to have them as neighbors.  How long have you been here?
>
>
>
> Bruce
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Andrew Salgadoe
> Sent: Aug 16, 2010 1:47 AM
> To: "towntalk at riverdale-park.org" , David Lingua
> Subject: Re: [RP TownTalk] Dumm's
>
>   David,
> A heads up for you, as one of our elected representatives I would expect
> that you validate a concern from a town resident and not dismiss it. Who do
> you represent?
>
> Sent from Yahoo! Mail on Android
>
>  ------------------------------
> *From: *David Lingua <djlingua at yahoo.com>;
> *To: *towntalk at riverdale-park.org <towntalk at riverdale-park.org>; Andrew
> Salgadoe <asalgadoe at yahoo.com>;
> *Subject: *Re: [RP TownTalk] Dumm's
> *Sent: *Mon, Aug 16, 2010 4:49:36 AM
>
>     Hello Andrew,
> Here's a heads up for you. The next meeting of the Riverdale Park Business
> Association will be held on Wednesday, September 15, 2010 at the Riverdale
> Park Town offices at 5008 Queensbury Road, at 5:30 p.m. If you feel you are
> getting nowhere talking with the owners, then you may want to give serious
> consideration to bringing these issues to the RBA of which Pete Spiropolous
> is a member. Should you chooses to do so, I would suggest a more cooperative
> and constructive tone than what has been set with previously posted
> epithets, ones I'm sure the family are aware of.
> Sincerely,
> David Lingua
>
> --- On *Sun, 8/15/10, Andrew Salgadoe <asalgadoe at yahoo.com>* wrote:
>
>
> From: Andrew Salgadoe <asalgadoe at yahoo.com>
> Subject: Re: [RP TownTalk] Dumm's
> To: "towntalk at riverdale-park.org" <towntalk at riverdale-park.org>, "
> bruce.wernek at mindspring.com" <bruce.wernek at mindspring.com>
> Date: Sunday, August 15, 2010, 6:18 PM
>
>    Its up to Dumm's to decide if they want to take pride in their
> business. I dont think they are changing with the times and improving their
> product to match what most of us want. I think Riverdale Park deserves
> better, that's all. I don't think they're really trying to grow or expand
> their business and that leads me, and probably others to spend our money
> elsewhere.
>
> I think the owners live in Potomac. Would they like a store like Dumm's in
> their neighborhood? I think not. I guess beer posters, dusty overpriced
> wonder bread, and bullet proof glass is what they assume Riverdale Park is
> used to.
>
> We deserve better. I wrote to every quality grocery store in the DC area
> and we are finally getting Yes! close by. I've also talked to the people at
> Dumm's but I don't think they care.
>
> I continue to spend at their sandwich shop which has great pizza and
> burgers but the convenient store is just sad and ugly.
>
> Sent from Yahoo! Mail on Android
>
>  ------------------------------
> *From: *bruce.wernek at mindspring.com <bruce.wernek at mindspring.com>;
> *To: *Andrew Salgadoe <asalgadoe at yahoo.com>; <towntalk at riverdale-park.org>;
>
> *Subject: *Re: [RP TownTalk] Dumm's
> *Sent: *Sun, Aug 15, 2010 2:53:41 PM
>
>   Drew
>
>
>
> Great ideas!!   Now all you you have to do is come up with the time and
> money to make them happen.  This is what separates the men from the boys.
>
>
>
> The alternative is to ask Pete to fix up his place just the way you want
> it.  I know what I'd say if you asked me to do that.
>
>
>
> Bruce
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Andrew Salgadoe
> Sent: Aug 15, 2010 10:23 AM
> To: towntalk at riverdale-park.org
> Subject: [RP TownTalk] Dumm's
>
>   Does anyone else think its time for Dumm's to change their storefront?
> They actually do have some things that I need but the beer ads in the
> windows are a turnoff and bring the neighborhood down. Can we, as a town,
> ask that they remove the garish posters for Coors and Heineken and maybe
> reflect the neighborhood store it is which sells sugar, wine, bread, etc.
>
> I've asked them if they could start selling fresh local produce and fresh
> baked bread but that was a stretch. I'm looking forward to Yes! Organic
> opening around the corner but it would be great to shop for the things I
> need closer to home and for that corner to look less like a stereo-typical
> inner city beer and cigarette rat hole.
>
>
> -----Inline Attachment Follows-----
>
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-- 
Alice C. Ewen
Councilwoman, Ward 1
Town of Riverdale Park MD
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