Poolesville takes a look at its business future

Tourism and restaurants show growth potential

Nancy Milloy, a leasing agent with The Magruder Companies, which owns Poolesville Village shopping center on Fisher Avenue, and Tom Flynn, a marketing consultant with the Annapolis-based Thomas Point Associates, Inc., discussed opportunities and hurdles in the town’s economic future.

‘‘One of the biggest challenges, which nobody can change, is the low demographics,” Milloy said. ‘‘...[Prospective retailers] look around and say, ‘There’s not enough people here to support our business’... I can tell a lot of them really want to take the chance, but it’s a chance.”

However, all that may soon change. As many as 400 new homes are expected in the town of 5,167 people over the next 10 years, committee member Tom Kettler said.

‘‘That will make such an incredible change,” Milloy said, adding that there has been increased interest over the last several months due to the town’s low retail space rent and the glimmer of future growth.

Another challenge for businesses is the perception that Poolesville is far removed from the rest of the county, committee members said.

‘‘I think there’s an image out there that because we’re apart from the pack, we’re very distant,” said committee member Brian Hundertmark, an attorney with Garson Claxton in Bethesda.

Committee members discussed the need to increase retail options without negatively impacting smaller businesses.

‘‘It’s an interesting time to be on a committee like this, with all the development going on,” Helen Gunther, the newest addition to the group, said after the meeting.

Gunther, a Poolesville resident of one-and-a-half years, was appointed to the position by the town’s commissioners March 19.

Flynn took a more long-term approach and presented the first draft of a market study created for Poolesville, which will be used to guide the future business environment and image.

Poolesville has a growing population and high household income and education levels, making it an attractive location for retailers, Flynn said.

According to the study, the average household income in Poolesville this year is estimated to be $121,521, while the average for the United States as a whole is estimated to be $65,849.

For town residents age 25 or older, 29.2 percent had earned a Bachelor’s degree, compared to 15.7 percent of the U.S. population, and 15.6 percent had earned a master’s, professional or doctorate degree, compared to 8.9 percent of the U.S. population, according to the survey.

Other unique features of the town include large families and a high number of commuters, Flynn said.

There is demand for more sit-down, affordable restaurants, especially those that would attract out-of-town diners, according to the study and a resident survey the committee conducted this year.

Flynn recommended the town focus on historical tourism to attract what he called ‘‘Sunday drivers,” and Milloy suggested more antique stores.

Poolesville should also consider the bicyclists and equestrians that pass through town, Flynn said.

The study was created using information from censuses and other databases. A finished report will be presented to the committee April 18.