How does Takoma Park do it?

On the surface Takoma Park, Maryland appears to be an island of small-town civility surrounded by a sea of typical suburban sprawl. Its main street is populated by small independent businesses, often with long roots in the community. But lately there are small signs of encroachment. Are the Subway sandwich shop and CVS drug store harbingers of the beginning of the end of Takoma Park's tight-knit, home-grown business community? How has the small municipality been able to hold back the tide of national chains big box superstores, while nurturing local business growth? Is Takoma the last of a dying breed? Or possible a model for smart planning other small towns could follow? University of Maryland Graduate Students Karen Carmichael and Jamie McIntyre report.

Category:

News & Politics

Tags:

• Takoma
• Park

[LonLon966058]

I love takoma park especially maple ave.maple got a the bait swear I live on maple ave

[snowbirch118]

YAY takoma park RULES!!!

[MrDreydrey24]

I was born in Takoma park

[cterry86]

is Marks kitchen the old Flower deli?

[yoface459]

I'm proud to live in Takoma Park. I love it so much. I love that we got a bunch of hippies and fun people.

[dahloosha]

I live in Takoma Park , and I really love it.

[cguy96]

Nice video, even if it doesn't answer whether Takoma is unique or a model.

FYI: at 7:57 the caption reads "Old Tokama" instead of "Old Takoma"

[Lisbet3]

I lived in TP four years. I now live on Capitol hill and will visit again soon.

It was a nice place to live.

In fact when I was moving here from Denver back in the 90s there was a news story about the "Liberal enclave" in the DC area. Strange I thought most of the state was Democratic. And it was that story that brought me there in the first place.

[WolfTrapMedia]

We have lived in TP for 10 years. This is a wonderful video. Thank you!