Things You Love Celebrates 15 Years On Main Street

As Main Street moves forward with revitalization efforts, one business is taking a step back and remembering its time in Reisterstown’s historic district.

celebrated 15 years of business on Main Street this week and invited friends and fellow business owners to stop by for lunch Friday to mark the occasion. Owner Maggie Herman said that her business, and Main Street, have gone through many changes over the years.

“Things have changed and it’s good,” she said. “It keeps you active and on your toes.”

Her building was vacant when she decided to open up shop in 1996, and since then she has seen many businesses come and go on Main Street.

“There were more antique stores when we started,” she said. “But now they’ve mostly changed over to more gift stores.”

Over the years, the business has actively participated in the annual Reisterstown Festival. Herman even won awards for her storefront decorations during the 96, 97, 98 and 2008 festivals.

Perhaps the biggest change to the business, Herman said, is that much of her sales are now made online. “The internet is a big part of my business now,” she said. “People just aren’t out the way they used to be.”

She hopes the new revitalization efforts put forth by the Reisterstown Improvement Association will bring more foot traffic to her business this year.

“I think if the street looks more attractive, people will tend to stop more,” she said.

In July 2010, Herman partnered with Mary Dansicker and launched to offer customers Chamilia Jewelry. Dansicker said she thinks the business has lasted so long because owners strive to build positive relationships with their customers.

“I think we have a really strong customer base,” she said. “It’s like an extended family and that’s why it’s been so good.”

Herman agreed, adding that the businesses that have lasted as long, or longer on Main Street, all share a similar outlook.

“People that have lasting businesses [here] long for community and love the people here,” she said. “It’s been great, you meet new people everyday.”

The building at 234 Main Street actually has quite a history. Constructed in 1770, it was home to Phillip Reister, son of Reisterstown founder, John Reister from 1773 to 1781.

Mary Leone, who owns A Novel Idea, which will be the latest business to come to Main Street, stopped by to congratulate Herman.

She said her used bookstore is scheduled to open next month, and she is excited to become a part of the community of businesses on Main Street. She is relocating her business from Fenwick Island, Del., and said Main Street is exactly the kind of place she was looking for.

“It’s the kind of place that people stroll through to shop,” she said. “This place really has that kind of feel to it.”