New Businesses Coming to Southern Maryland

[sockgirl77]

I am just stating the facts.
If you don't mind me asking, are you native/local to Southern Maryland? Have you ever lived in a "populated/well developed" area outside of MD? If you have, you would understand where I am coming from! Or, maybe you have lived elsewhere, and just didn't like it and want to stay away from built up areas?

I don't want to/desire to move at this stage of my life. However, if God forbid my hubby and I could no longer drive, we would have to move to a city where there is public transportation, and places you could walk to , to shop, etc. (We have no family here, since we are transplants...)

Yes, I'm native to Southern Maryland. But, I have moved to more populated areas. And you know what? I moved back. I'll take traveling to get to a "real" store any day over being surrounded by businesses and inviting more crime and traffic. You moved to a rural area, deal with it or move. It's really that ####ing simple. You cannot complain when you CHOOSE to live here.

 

[starr]

What we don't want is Mechanicsville to become another Waldorf! I realize all areas change. If you want a bunch of stores really close you can move up to Waldorf. Up there it seems woods is becoming a thing of the past and butt load of homes are the norm. No thanks.

 

[Beta]

There's one problem with the logic I keep seeing from people who think certain stores should build here because there is demand. Mechanicsville has 25k or so people, sure. But other small towns, smaller than Mechanicsville, that have their own Walmart/HomeDeport/whatever don't have those stores within 30 minutes in any given direction. THATS the main problem. Most of the 25k people in Mechanicsville commute for work, which isn't the case for some of those smaller towns.

So Mechanicsville has a bunch of commuters who drive by Walmart, Lowe's, and whatever else to and from work. They currently do their shopping there and don't go out as much on the weekend's, and if they need something quick they usually go to one of the local stores and deal with a slight price increase. Large chains look at that and get discouraged, because they want to be your main supplier, not only your weekend quick stop. A place like Dollar General works well because they're cheap and have a little of this and that for a great price. That's the perfect chain that works as a local store. But stores like Home Depot don't want that.

While I feel like the people in the Mechanicsville area (and southern Charles) would probably flock to any of those chains, the stores aren't so sure because they don't have people living here and observing everything. Even if they'd look on this forum, seeing a few outspoken people doesn't speak for the larger community. While it would be nice to get a FEW good stores in place of crummy/useless ones (instead of expanding and building everywhere), I won't hold my breath.

 

[DEEKAYPEE8569]

I will never understand why people move to this area and then complain there is nothing here. Guess you should have done your homework and moved closer to this stores you can't live without (or that are just to far).

 

[Restless]

Yes, I'm native to Southern Maryland. But, I have moved to more populated areas. And you know what? I moved back. I'll take traveling to get to a "real" store any day over being surrounded by businesses and inviting more crime and traffic. You moved to a rural area, deal with it or move. It's really that ####ing simple. You cannot complain when you CHOOSE to live here.

I get a little weary of those who love it here telling those of us who dislike it to move because "it really is that...simple." It is NOT that simple to leave here if you cannot find work elsewhere. Believe me, we have tried. We have sent resumes out but with the economy being what it is, it is hard to find work elsewhere. Add to that trying to sell your home when the market is bad. It is not that easy to move away.

Our greatest fear is that we are stuck here until we can retire elsewhere. I don't want to die here. Between my husband and I, we have lived in 12 states and the UK. This is the strangest place we have ever lived. For Pete's sake, there is only one real incorporated town in the whole county. ONE! That has to be a record of some sort. It is a peninsula to nowhere. Yes, it is pretty. I will give it that.

 

[sockgirl77]

I get a little weary of those who love it here telling those of us who dislike it to move because "it really is that...simple." It is NOT that simple to leave here if you cannot find work elsewhere. Believe me, we have tried. We have sent resumes out but with the economy being what it is, it is hard to find work elsewhere. Add to that trying to sell your home when the market is bad. It is not that easy to move away.

Our greatest fear is that we are stuck here until we can retire elsewhere. I don't want to die here. Between my husband and I, we have lived in 12 states and the UK. This is the strangest place we have ever lived. For Pete's sake, there is only one real incorporated town in the whole county. ONE! That has to be a record of some sort. It is a peninsula to nowhere. Yes, it is pretty. I will give it that.

You'd think that you could find jobs easier is more populated areas. :shrug:

We're retiring in WV and we're perfectly fine being away from EVERYONE.

 

[Beta]

I get a little weary of those who love it here telling those of us who dislike it to move because "it really is that...simple." It is NOT that simple to leave here if you cannot find work elsewhere. Believe me, we have tried. We have sent resumes out but with the economy being what it is, it is hard to find work elsewhere. Add to that trying to sell your home when the market is bad. It is not that easy to move away.

Our greatest fear is that we are stuck here until we can retire elsewhere. I don't want to die here. Between my husband and I, we have lived in 12 states and the UK. This is the strangest place we have ever lived. For Pete's sake, there is only one real incorporated town in the whole county. ONE! That has to be a record of some sort. It is a peninsula to nowhere. Yes, it is pretty. I will give it that.

Huh? I think we're talking Mechanicsville vs California (for instance). If people want all of the conveniences of Cali, and don't like driving 20 minutes, then she was saying move there. No job change required. Believe it or not, I know people in Mechanicsville that commute to DC and people that live near DC that commute to Pax. Someone working at Pax can live in Anne Arundel, PG County, the tri-county area, or even in Virginia. It's a bit longer of a commute, but there are options. You can't always have everything perfect. If you CHOOSE to have a shorter commute and live in a small community then that's your CHOICE.

Speaking of choices, outside of active duty, I doubt many people were forced to move here in the first place. Life is all about choices. We have to live with them. Buck up.

 

[BernieP]

Huh? I think we're talking Mechanicsville vs California (for instance). If people want all of the conveniences of Cali, and don't like driving 20 minutes, then she was saying move there. No job change required. Believe it or not, I know people in Mechanicsville that commute to DC and people that live near DC that commute to Pax. Someone working at Pax can live in Anne Arundel, PG County, the tri-county area, or even in Virginia. It's a bit longer of a commute, but there are options. You can't always have everything perfect. If you CHOOSE to have a shorter commute and live in a small community then that's your CHOICE.

Speaking of choices, outside of active duty, I doubt many people were forced to move here in the first place. Life is all about choices. We have to live with them. Buck up.

one word - BRAC
Options were to either relocate or give up your career - as in throw away N years of service and look for another job.

Agreed with your analysis about the SOMD "small town" model versus places like rural Virginia - where the small town is actually the business center for say an entire county.
There are places in the northern tier of PA / southern tier of NY where there is one McDonalds that serves multiple counties - it's located in the most densely popluated center (that area where the people out number the cows).

 

[DEEKAYPEE8569]

one word - BRAC
Options were to either relocate or give up your career - as in throw away N years of service and look for another job.

Agreed with your analysis about the SOMD "small town" model versus places like rural Virginia - where the small town is actually the business center for say an entire county.
There are places in the northern tier of PA / southern tier of NY where there is one McDonalds that serves multiple counties - it's located in the most densely popluated center (that area where the people out number the cows).

If I can make it to 2018, I intend to retire with 30 years; but if there's another buyout.....bye-bye baby.

 

[BernieP]

If I can make it to 2018, I intend to retire with 30 years; but if there's another buyout.....bye-bye baby.

notice not even the natives want to retier in Maryland.
Add them to those running from taxes and regulation

Rumor is that if you retire in MD and then move, they want to take part of your pension (or retirement annuity). I guess their arguement is that any withdrawal from a 401K or IRA is tax deferred money.

 

[Beta]

one word - BRAC
Options were to either relocate or give up your career - as in throw away N years of service and look for another job.

Agreed with your analysis about the SOMD "small town" model versus places like rural Virginia - where the small town is actually the business center for say an entire county.
There are places in the northern tier of PA / southern tier of NY where there is one McDonalds that serves multiple counties - it's located in the most densely popluated center (that area where the people out number the cows).

ah, forgot about the BRAC(s) that forced people down here. That's tough. I know Crystal City and Warminster, for instance, were in much larger areas. I don't really know what else was sent over here though.

 

[BernieP]

ah, forgot about the BRAC(s) that forced people down here. That's tough. I know Crystal City and Warminster, for instance, were in much larger areas. I don't really know what else was sent over here though.

there were other activities, those happen to be the major commands.
West Trenton (Propulsion, I think Indy (or parts of it).
Some people had the misfortune of being sent to San Diego

 

[sockgirl77]

Huh? I think we're talking Mechanicsville vs California (for instance). If people want all of the conveniences of Cali, and don't like driving 20 minutes, then she was saying move there. No job change required. Believe it or not, I know people in Mechanicsville that commute to DC and people that live near DC that commute to Pax. Someone working at Pax can live in Anne Arundel, PG County, the tri-county area, or even in Virginia. It's a bit longer of a commute, but there are options. You can't always have everything perfect. If you CHOOSE to have a shorter commute and live in a small community then that's your CHOICE.

Speaking of choices, outside of active duty, I doubt many people were forced to move here in the first place. Life is all about choices. We have to live with them. Buck up.

My mother commutes from Hollywood to DC and my father commuted there from Dentsville until he retired.

 

[chernmax]

I vote 6 Theater Cineplex next to a Sonic...

 

[ylexot]

one word - BRAC
Options were to either relocate or give up your career - as in throw away N years of service and look for another job.

Agreed with your analysis about the SOMD "small town" model versus places like rural Virginia - where the small town is actually the business center for say an entire county.
There are places in the northern tier of PA / southern tier of NY where there is one McDonalds that serves multiple counties - it's located in the most densely popluated center (that area where the people out number the cows).

In BRAC, you still had a choice. Your options may have sucked, but you still had a choice. :shrug:

 

[ylexot]

My mother commutes from Hollywood to DC and my father commuted there from Dentsville until he retired.

I have a coworker who commutes to Pax from Fredericksburg, VA.

 

[sockgirl77]

I have a coworker who commutes to Pax from Fredericksburg, VA.

That's about an hour and a half. That's about what I travel to IH every day.

 

[Disney4845]

Any word on higher end grocery stores like Wegmans, Trader Joe's, or Whole Foods? They would all be welcome additions in SOMD.

They would all be great to have but they have a lot of criteria they require before considering sites and we keep falling short. Whether its related to daytime population, lunchtime crowds, even number of college graduates it all affects their decision. Some need closer distribution centers as well and Ive got the land to help them with anything they need but they still say no for now.

 

[fatratcat]

They would all be great to have but they have a lot of criteria they require before considering sites and we keep falling short. Whether its related to daytime population, lunchtime crowds, even number of college graduates it all affects their decision. Some need closer distribution centers as well and Ive got the land to help them with anything they need but they still say no for now.

Thank you! Please, keep us posted!

 

[fatratcat]

There's one problem with the logic I keep seeing from people who think certain stores should build here because there is demand. Mechanicsville has 25k or so people, sure. But other small towns, smaller than Mechanicsville, that have their own Walmart/HomeDeport/whatever don't have those stores within 30 minutes in any given direction. THATS the main problem. Most of the 25k people in Mechanicsville commute for work, which isn't the case for some of those smaller towns.

So Mechanicsville has a bunch of commuters who drive by Walmart, Lowe's, and whatever else to and from work. They currently do their shopping there and don't go out as much on the weekend's, and if they need something quick they usually go to one of the local stores and deal with a slight price increase. Large chains look at that and get discouraged, because they want to be your main supplier, not only your weekend quick stop. A place like Dollar General works well because they're cheap and have a little of this and that for a great price. That's the perfect chain that works as a local store. But stores like Home Depot don't want that.

While I feel like the people in the Mechanicsville area (and southern Charles) would probably flock to any of those chains, the stores aren't so sure because they don't have people living here and observing everything. Even if they'd look on this forum, seeing a few outspoken people doesn't speak for the larger community. While it would be nice to get a FEW good stores in place of crummy/useless ones (instead of expanding and building everywhere), I won't hold my breath.

I noticed today they are pushing dirt around in the proposed new McKay's spot in CH.