Good News in Crisfield, Maryland – July 1st, 2017 Newsletter

Hello, Crisfield Lovers!
I am happy to bring you much Good News that has happened here in June. I divided this newsletter into categories this time to show that we are seeing momentum build from various angles: real estate development, new tourism businesses, new events, and growth in the number of tourists coming to Crisfield.  By working together and building upon our assets, our history, and our culture, we are making Crisfield “the most unique tourist destination on the Eastern Shore” as stated in the Five Year Action Plan for Crisfield. Here are the details:
REAL ESTATE DEVELOPMENT:

• PUPPY HOLE ON TANGIER SOUND: The Georgia buyers of the waterfront property on Tangier Sound referred to as “Puppy Hole” are pursuing plans to divide the property into 32 lots for single family homes. The owners are hoping to complete the planning and zoning process in time to promote the lots for sale over the Labor Day weekend through a massive marketing campaign.

• WATER’S EDGE TOWNHOUSES: There are similar discussions going on for the undeveloped land associated with the Water’s Edge townhouses on Lori Quinn Drive in hopes of building single family homes there as well.

• JACKSONVILLE DEVELOPMENT: Recently, Wilson Realty sold 9 lots off of Jacksonville Road to Jason Hathaway of Keystone Builders, licensed in Maryland and Delaware and specializing in custom homes. The builder plans to build single family homes in the $160,000-180,000 price range and has one spec home available for sale.

• OTHER NEW HOUSES: Visions International will be building two new homes on a corner of Somerset Avenue after going to settlement earlier this month. There is also a new home about to be constructed on the corner of Wynfall Avenue and Hall Highway.

• REASON FOR NEW CONSTRUCTION: As far as I can determine, Crisfield has had ZERO (“0”) new homes built in the last 10-12 years, except for those built with Hurricane Sandy funds after the storm in 2012. I asked Cindy Stevens of Wilson Realty the reason for all this new housing activity. She said all the real estate activity for homes is related to “demand“. According to Cindy, “The research shows that baby boomers are downsizing while first time home buyers are looking also. The two groups actually are competing with each other for a safe and decent home, the backbone of any community. The types of homes people are looking for in Crisfield are mainly 3 bedroom, two bathroom homes with 1200-1500 square feet on average. These are the homes whose value lasts as compared to the huge luxury homes that were being built elsewhere before the real estate market fell.” This is an encouraging sign for Crisfield because it increases our population, expands our tax base, helps our businesses, and strengthens our community.

NEW TOURISM BUSINESSES:

• BAY GIFT VAULT: The Bay Gift Vault, located in the Bank of Crisfield Building at 10th & Main Sts., held its ribbon cutting and grand opening on June 24th to correspond with the Fourth Saturday Bay Stroll and a Crab & Cruise event.  The first day’s business was gratifying, and residents and visitors alike were seen strolling Main St. carrying the signature yellow gift bags from the new shop that features a curated collection of gifts, handmade jewelry, luxe scarves, elegant journals, leather items, handmade soaps and children’s gifts.  Items are sourced directly from the artisans, and a portion of all proceeds support organizations like Teach for America and the SVV School, an initiative to educate children in rural India.  The shop’s name reflects the unique features of the building in which it is located, one of only two buildings on Main Street identified in the Crisfield Strategic Revitalization Plan as being significant.  The building’s Remington & Sherman vault door, estimated to weigh 7 tons, was installed in 1892 on top of oyster shells and can still be operated today with just one finger.  Linda and her husband Vinay are new residents of Crisfield and both operate other business enterprises.  Shop hours and information are available on the website baygiftvault.com.

• TERRAPIN SANDS: Jay Tawes and the Crisfield Marketing Authority team are moving expeditiously to open “Terrapin Sands” on the waterfront in the former location of Crisfield Boat Rentals. They hope to be ready for opening by July 23 and will offer amusements, food, and entertainment. More details to follow.

NEW EVENTS:

• OYSTER REEF GIFT SHOP SIDEWALK SALE: This Saturday, July 1, find “great bargains” at the Sidewalk Sale featuring items from the museum’s Oyster Reef Gift Shop. The sale will take place from 11:00 AM to 5:00 PM as part of the Independence Day celebrations.

• WINGS OVER CRISFIELD: This weekend, along with the Freedom Fest activities on Saturday, there will be a Flyover called “Wings Over Crisfield” hosted by Bay Aviation and Friends of Crisfield. Held at the Crisfield Airport, people may purchase airplane rides in a PT-19 or a Cessna-172. Rides begin at 9:00 AM. This is the second year of this event. The airplane rides were very popular last year so you are encouraged to get there early. Besides airplane rides, you will be able to examine WWII aircraft.

• A SMITH ISLAND EXPERIENCE: New this year, Somers Cove Marina has put together a $99 travel package once a month for boaters or visitors to the town that includes a boat ride to Smith Island, a cake demonstration by Tylerton native Mary Ada Marshall, lunch at Drum Point Market, and a visit to the Cultural Center and Museum in Ewell. Remaining dates are July 15, August 12, and September 16.

• BUY BOAT: The Crisfield Heritage Foundation is working in conjunction with Somers Cove Marina and the new Crisfield Marketing Authority to host the Chesapeake Buy Boat Reunion on Saturday July 29, with dockside deck tours of the 12 historic vessels from 1:00 – 5:00 PM on Saturday, July 29, the same day as the annual Wheels on the Waterfront event. The first Buy Boat Reunion was held in 2012, and the organizers have worked hard to bring it back again.

• THE WATERMAN’S DAUGHTER: The Crisfield Heritage Foundation will present a live performance of the play, “The Waterman’s Daughter” outside the J. Millard Tawes Museum on July 29 at 8:30 PM. According to the CHF website, “This 45 minute performance brings to life the true story of Lilyan Stratton Corbin and the Crisfield oyster boom through song, letters, and dramatic narrative.”  It is being presented in partnership with the Somerset County Arts Council and the Lower Shore Performing Arts Council. Admission is free.

• DOCK DAY ON THE BAY: Dock Day on the Bay is back this year! Scheduled for September 30 from noon to 4:00 PM at Somers Cove Marina, this event celebrates the history and culture of the Chesapeake Bay and includes a variety of activities such as tours of historic, commercial and sport fishing boats, seafood cooking demonstrations, fish cleaning demonstrations, and maritime-related arts and crafts, plus food and live music.

GROWTH IN TOURISM TRAFFIC:

• VISITORS TO CRISFIELD: In May, the Chamber of Commerce Tourism Office was visited by 968 tourists as compared to the previous year’s tally of 150 when the office was newly opened as a partnership between Somerset County Tourism and the Crisfield Area Chamber of Commerce. Comparing totals from 2013 to 2015 when the office was County run, the new total shows an increase of 38% for May.  Wendy Robertson of the Somerset County Tourism Office stated that the new office managers in Crisfield are “doing an exceptional job, and it has been a really great Chamber/County partnership.” The increase is especially interesting considering that the season doesn’t officially start until Memorial Day at the end of May and shows that people are coming, and they are coming early to Crisfield this year.

• SOMERS COVE MARINA: Marina Director Tom Schisler and his staff have implemented several initiatives to attract more boaters to Somers Cove Marina as noted previously in this email, which in turn bring potentially more visitors to town as well. In addition, new this year, the marina has teamed up with six marinas in the Central Bay Passport Program and 5 marinas in the Treasures of the Chesapeake Program, a game that entices boaters to visit each marina and receive a prize of $100 when they visit the last one. This essentially equates to getting a free dinner when you get to the last marina in the group. Somers Cove has also modified its Loyalty Card which allows a boater to get a 4th night free, even if they don’t stay consecutive nights as before. Tom estimates May-June business is up 15-20%.

CITY MEETING WITH GCAC:

• Representatives from City Council met with representatives from the Greater Crisfield Action Coalition on June 6 and plan to meet again to find a way forward.

So, as you can see, things are moving forward in Crisfield, and I am convinced this is only the beginning! This is our time, and Crisfield’s potential is unlimited. I look forward to reporting even more Good News as the summer season progresses. To God Be the Glory!


Happy 4th of July to all of you.
Charlotte