Plymouth’s heart still beating strong

THINGS ARE LOOKING UP in downtown Plymouth.

Although there continue to be some struggles and empty buildings in downtown Plymouth, and the still-weak economy continues to take its toll here as elsewhere, the overall mood is one of optimism in the heart of the Hub City.

The most recent, and visible, sign of downtown’s vitality is the on-going renovation of the former Dairy State Bank building by Advanced Eye Care and Drs. Tim and Cheryl Ziegler. When the major project is done, the modernistic façade will be completely stripped away and the downtown anchor building will be restored to something welcomingly close to its original historic façade.

But that’s not the only reason for optimism downtown. The year is little more than onethird over and already there have been several new businesses opened downtown, businesses that are helping to bring customers and visitors to downtown Plymouth.

The first was the Amore banquet hall on West Mill Street, which opened in January with a welcoming banquet and party facility that is already drawing plenty of bookings, which will bring plenty of people downtown.

That was followed shortly at the other end of Mill Street by the opening of the new Mill Street Grill restaurant. It also is drawing diners to downtown, diners who — especially in the warm summer months — will be tempted to stroll through downtown Plymouth and see what else it offers.

And what it offers is plenty, from antique shops and specialty stores to a vibrant arts center and an enticing history museum, from charming little parks and riverfront scenery to colorful historic wall murals — and so much more.

The continued health and vibrancy of downtown Plymouth is thanks to the many services and businesses that remain here and continue to flourish here. We at The Review are proud to count ourselves on that list. As we like to say in our ads, industrial parks and shopping malls on the edges of the city may be the arms and legs of the community, but downtown remains its heart and like any body, it all starts with a good, healthy heart.

And it’s true that the heart of the Hub City continues to beat strong, from one end of Mill Street to the other. Long may it be so.

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