[RP TownTalk] Dumms

Tue Aug 17 18:13:07 UTC 2010

Remember that potential business owners (and the media) are watching
everything the town does, including this thread, and would find this
conversation a good reason to look more closely at Hyattsville or College
Park for their investment.

Ed and I belong to several Chambers of Commerce with our small businesses
and find that more people than not whom we encounter know where Riverdale
Park is and can quote chapter and verse something from the local media about
the town being "anti-business." That's a hard moniker to shake, even if
untrue in spirit.

It's always easier to tell the business owner directly, and nicely, that you
have a suggestion for a change that might benefit their business than to
expect it to be legislated from an angry mob of neighbors. In the town's
recent history, the Pete and his family have done more to brighten the place
up than anyone else, putting money and time into the business and other town
projects when they did not have to, and often before they were even asked
to. 

The town will never get an upscale food store or bakery or anything else
until it can collectively be more welcoming and thoughtful in its
interactions with business. There is a decades-long, knee-jerk reaction to
real and potential investment in the town that usually ends up in insults,
finger-pointing, and side-picking. That is the ultimate reason why so much
of the town's historic business districts remain empty or underdeveloped,
even after having 4 different sets of professional redevelopment planning
meetings, visions, and reports undertaken for the area since 1987. 

Chris Davis 

-----Original Message-----
From: towntalk-bounces at riverdale-park.org
[mailto:towntalk-bounces at riverdale-park.org] On Behalf Of
bruce.wernek at mindspring.com
Sent: Tuesday, August 17, 2010 1:12 PM
To: Riverdale Park
Subject: Re: [RP TownTalk] Dumms

I thought Pete's family lived in the Silver Springs/Olney area, but I can't
say for sure.  I don't know who came up with this "Potomac" rumor.

-----Original Message----- 
From: novella sargusingh 
Sent: Aug 17, 2010 12:48 PM 
To: tazimax at verizon.net, asalgadoe at yahoo.com, Riverdale Park ,
nbmooney1 at yahoo.com 
Subject: Re: [RP TownTalk] Dumms 

P.S.  What does Pete and his family living in Potomac have to do with
anything and what business is it of ours??  This sounds more like a personal
issue then one of true concern on businesses here in Riverdale Park.  If
that's where they live, more power to them I am just very greatful that they
have their small businesses here in Riverdale Park which benefits us all.

 <http://www.4stepscreativelearning.com/> Thanks A Million!

           Novella 

  _____  

From: msnovella50 at hotmail.com
To: tazimax at verizon.net; asalgadoe at yahoo.com; towntalk at riverdale-park.org;
nbmooney1 at yahoo.com
Date: Tue, 17 Aug 2010 12:16:17 -0400
Subject: Re: [RP TownTalk] Dumms

As a small business owner in Riverdale Park, it concerns me when folks who
have never owned much less run a mom and pop operation etc. try and dictate
how we should run our business.  You cannot talk the talk if you have not
walk the walk!  I remember when the protective glass was installed and I did
ask what had happened and sure enough Dumm's Corner had been held up and
their employees safety was at risk so they had the bullet proof glass
install for safety reasons not to make a fashion statement.  The community
in which you live and work most often will dictate how and why you can and
cannot do make many business decision's.  I have truly enjoyed having Dumm's
Corner store and carryout right down the street from my home and in case of
needing anything fast, I can count on them being open and ready to assist
me.  I also remember when Pete was trying to improved his business and ran
right into a brick wall and was unable to move forward with renovations etc.
If you really want to see that corner change, step up to the plate and take
a run at the town with ideas and suggestions to help Pete get what he was
asking for in the first place, only then will you understand how difficult
it was getting turned down.  Please fill free to move closer to those
establishment's that meet your standards and have the support of it's
citizen's in making improvement's because Pete tried to do the same thing in
Riverdale and was not successful but as long as Dumm's Corner operates in
Riverdale, they can count on my business.  I could care less about what's on
the window, it's the service, great food and awesome folks running both
facilities that I will always appreciate the most.

 <http://www.4stepscreativelearning.com/> Thanks A Million!

           Novella 

  _____  

From: tazimax at verizon.net
To: asalgadoe at yahoo.com; towntalk at riverdale-park.org; nbmooney1 at yahoo.com
Date: Tue, 17 Aug 2010 06:26:49 -0400
Subject: Re: [RP TownTalk] Dumms

Just a quick opinion. 80 years ago my grandparents built and owned a small
mom and pop grocery and liquor store in Roger's Heights for many years
(Roger's Heights Market) and yes, beer signs were in the windows.  Now the
store is owned by San Antonio liquors and guess what, they have beer signs
too.  Bullet proof glass is a necessity, my late father coming home  from
working there bleeding from a shotgun  butt slam to the head during a
robbery will prove that.  Look around your area, in that corner alone we
have abandoned buildings, a bar (which is a bit old too) and run down houses
that have either burned and never been repaired or just plain abandoned.
Dumm's corner is the least of the problems in Riverdale.  Just be glad there
are still mom and pop stores here with the economy the way it is.  I had to
sell my grandparents dream.  Don't fuss about someone else's.

Carol

----- Original Message ----- 

From: Andrew Salgadoe <mailto:asalgadoe at yahoo.com>  

To: towntalk at riverdale-park.org ; Nancy Mooney <mailto:nbmooney1 at yahoo.com>

Sent: Monday, August 16, 2010 1:19 PM

Subject: Re: [RP TownTalk] Dumms

I love Dumm's pizza and subs and I would venture to guess that I have bought
more of their large combination pizzas than anyone on this thread. I'm the
customer and I'm always right..get the damn beer posters out of the windows,
open up the storefront, and make it a welcoming introduction to RP. 
Has anyone taken a drive down Rhode Island near the border of Northeast and
NW? There's a newer corner store there called Windows which is clean,
bright, and airy and full of customers going in and out and some sitting at
tables enjoying casual fare. Next door there's an old school chinese takeout
dive with a roll down door or metal bars where people place their for sweet
and sour pork through a bullet proof shield. Needless to say, one of these
businesses is thriving. 
These neighborhoods are improving and we should be at the forefront, not the
tail end!

Sent from Yahoo! Mail on Android

  _____  

From: Nancy Mooney <nbmooney1 at yahoo.com>; 
To: <towntalk at riverdale-park.org>; 
Subject: [RP TownTalk] Dumms 
Sent: Mon, Aug 16, 2010 9:38:59 AM 

Yes, and let me repeat something that's been said, Pete and Sons did want to
expand and improve, and were unable to because of opposition to the plan. 

I doubt they installed the bullet proof glass because of aesthetics, or to
keep up with the Exxon. There must have been a darn good motivation for them
to invest in that (it's been, what, 4 years?)

I've always found the staff reasonably friendly, and, very helpful when
needed, and I'm thankful for a local place to get a quick pizza, or a bottle
of wine.  OK now I want a cheeseburger sub!

Let's keep our perspective and play nice!

But then I've found that people are much more harsh when leaving
voice-messages and writing email, haven't you?

Nancy

  _____  

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post to the list, send mail to TownTalk at riverdale-park.org
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