The Essence of Discovery in Downtown

Part of the fun of a small city such as Nashua, NH is the ongoing discovery of the the goods and services available downtown. Being from a family with a retail shoe background, I felt I'd reached shoe Nirvana when I went into Alec's Shoes on Main Street. At almost any time there is a full boatload of commissioned sales persons ricocheting about, which would normally be a turn-off for me. But there are shoes and accessories (does your shoe store have alpaca socks?) everywhere and two boatloads of customers and the sales people are simply getting to all and satisfying their needs. And if you want to shop for some Nashua Downtown Dollars or other downtown promotional item, Alec's has the time to help you. It's a fun experience, and you feel great walking out with a slick new pair of shoes in an Alec's bag. 

Another example is the cozy shop with an understated name, Canal Art and Framing. In a great location on Water Street, 30 feet off Main and across from the linear Parc de Notre Renaisance along the Nashua River, Canal Art and Framing just keeps surprising. Yes, proprietor Samantha Thompson provides expert framing, framing advice, art classes and consultation. She also curates and promotes a monthly artist showing, and has a wonderful gallery of original local art, greeting cards, and jewelry. Her space is arranged to accommodate caring for her youngster on site. AND she organizes her leftover matting from picture framing and sells at reasonable prices - a crafter's dream. Here are two handcrafted greeting cards from Canal Art & Framing:

What brought these two examples to mind was an article in Fast Company magazine (Nov 2009) on Noreena Hertz - a previously under-the-radar economist from Cambridge University who popped onto the international economic radar by calling the current financial crisis before it hit. Hertz wants the human social context put back into economics and business, and has world politicians, economists and yes, activists like Bono listening.  I don't know how much success Hertz will have at the top level encouraging sustainability, social responsibility, or more adaptive "co-op capitalism" among world leaders. But, down here in the trenches, when you look at entrepreneurial businesses like Alec's and Canal Art you see the flexibility, adaptability, social awareness and creative solutions that Hertz is looking for.  Maybe Nashua could start an internship program for Economists and CEOs...

When we think about "improving Downtown," we often think of increased promotions,  more focused tactics, major infrastructure changes. When we think about "increasing Discovery" we may think about prettier interiors, products in more colors, stores open additional hours. All of which are good things.

But isn't discovery about the difference, the delta as a scientist might say, between what you expect and what you find? Stepping up to a counter at a big-box framing store, handing over your art, pointing to a desired mat and frame is one experience. Entering Samantha Thompson's atelier with custom framing solutions, wonderful art and local products, the opportunity to return for classes and enjoy the environment AND the chance to tell your crafter best friend about the treasure trove of matting, now that's a discovery.