A New Season Begins

The Memorial Day holiday in Provincetown proved to be a promising kick off to the summer season.

Business owners reported that the weather, although a bit gloomy at times, cooperated to make conditions ideal for tourists.

Retail shop and restaurant owners said that this was a very busy holiday weekend. Although the economy is slow, visitors seem tired of bad news. Provincetown provided a breath of fresh air and a chance to get away from the negative media. Most purchases were small, like t-shirts, ice cream cones and bric-a-brac items. But, folks were buying nonetheless.

Even though the holiday is over, the past week was also very busy. The true test of the summer economy will start July 1st with Independence Day holiday. Last year, restaurants, retail shops and entertainment did very well, while galleries struggled. Some galleries have been replaced with retail shops so it will be interesting to see how the newcomers fare.

Send an email to Michael.dubour@century21.com or call 508-789-1107 if you have any questions or to contribute. Thanks for reading and come back next Friday. Have a happy summer.

Provincetown News for May 2009

This month, you'll see town election results, new businesses that will open this season, a quick tour of The Pilgrim Monument and Memorial Day events.

Spring in Provincetown

Ballot Questions Pass

Provincetown voters approved five ballot questions in this week’s election.

Property taxes will increase in order to fund the Recreation Department, the town’s sidewalks and roads will be repaired, storm drains will be maintained, a new ladder truck will be purchased and a new street sweeper will be purchased.

New Businesses Come to Provincetown

Post “rented” signs over the majority of vacant retail space on Commercial Street. What could have potentially been a disastrous look for Provincetown this summer has been averted. An unusually large number of retail spaces have been rented by new businesses in spite of economic times.

Here’s a list of newcomers to support this year.

Wabi Dumplings is opening a take out food service only at 206 Commercial Street. This eatery will be owned by the chef from Victor’s in the West End, but no need to worry, he will not be quitting his night job.

The Caribbean Corner will open at 269 Commercial Street, directly across from town hall. There will be a full liquor license. This restaurant is actually moving from a smaller location, all meals are cooked to order. The food is absolutely delicious, but, put on your patience cap as the preparation takes time.

Townsend Lobster will open in the former Clem and Ursie’s building on Shank Painter Road.

The Brass Key will open its “Shipwreck Lounge” to the public.

The former Commons Guest House Restaurant and Level has a new owner. This summer the businesses will be called The Waterford.

New galleries include the J. Lucas Gallery at 437 Commercial Street, Julie Heller East at 465 Commercial Street, Portraits by Storm Cloud at 346 Commercial Street.

Numerous artists have rented the sheds on MacMillan Pier for the season as well. Look for watercolor paintings, drawings and knitting shops.

Garden Renovations, a nursery, has opened on the corner of Nelson Avenue and Race Point Roads.

Melt will open at 199 Commercial Street. This store will offer facial creams and other skin care products.

Klymaxx Unlimited will open at 207 Commercial Street and sell skin care products, cosmetics and fragrance.

A jewelry store will be opening at 280 Commercial Street. The name has not been announced.

Recycled Retriever, a pet supply store specializing in green products, will open at 322 Commercial Street. Bring your pets on May 14th from 5-8PM for an opening party.

Yates and Kennedy will be opening a retail store selling t-shirts, home furnishings and gifts at 368 Commercial Street.

We wish all these businesses good luck in their first summer. Hopefully, day trippers and vacationers who want to save money and stay local, will come here and support our economy. Nudge and hint Bostonians, New Yorkers and folks from Providence.

Thanks for reading. I’ll be on vacation next week, but will supply some photos for you to enjoy so come back. In the meantime, send me an email if you have questions or comments mike.dubour@verizon.net.

Ongoings in Provincetown

Have you been to the breakwater in Provincetown? This is at the rotary and just next to The Provincetown Inn. Next year at this time, you may be seeing newly built homes set on the 3.5 acre property formerly owned by the Murchison family. The gate house will be a new home, the main house will be tastefully renovated and five newly constructed homes will appear. The town has granted the owner permission to develop the land. Town officials feel the owner, Clifford Schorer, has been more than helpful throughout the process.

Residents will vote on five ballot questions in next week’s annual election on May 5th. The outcome will determine whether the town will fund The Recreation Department, if the town will purchase a $628,000 fire truck, $125,000 for a street sweeper and $50,000 on street repair/sidewalk maintenance. Town moderator Irene Rabinowitz and Selectman David Bedard are running unopposed but will appear on the ballot. The polls are located at The Veterans Elementary School gym and open 7AM until 7PM.

The Outer Cape Choral will hold “A Concert for Peace” at the UU Meeting House on May 8th and 9th at 7PM. The concert includes Franz Joseph Haydn’s “Mass in the Time of War.” The concert is free both nights.