By Dakota Antelman — [email protected]
Police Capt. Brian Goldman hopes every Concord business stays open for next month’s 250th anniversary of the start of the American Revolution.
Yet many business leaders are concerned about crowds overwhelming Concord Center. Concord250 organizers and public safety officials are trying to soothe those fears, but as planning enters its final stage, some owners and managers are still voicing frustration and concern.
“Everyone is just not knowing which way to turn,” said Linda Duros of furnishings shop Comina.
Duros spoke with The Concord Bridge after a March 14 meeting at First Parish Church. Organizers convened the meeting as the latest in a line of outreach efforts to businesses that’s included four other sessions since last spring, according to Concord250 co-chair Gary Clayton.
Duros said she and her colleagues are excited and nervous about April 19. She said the general political climate is contributing to her anxiety.
Though she wishes there was more outreach, Duros acknowledged she did not attend earlier meetings and applauded officials for organizing the March 14 gathering. She said staff have fielded questions “that we wished we knew the answers to.”
“We don’t feel like we’re a wealth of knowledge,” she said.
Duros said Comina will be closed April 19 due to concerns about security and crowd size. Employees who live in Concord, she said, also want to participate in the events — or get out of town.
Parking concerns
At Fiorella’s Cucina, general manager Leslie Palola said she is “a little bit concerned” about a plan to close the Walden Street municipal parking lot starting at 10 p.m. on Wednesday, April 16.
Speaking at First Parish, Goldman said closure will make way for portable toilets, a dumpster, and preparation.
Local businesses were bracing for a Friday lot closure. For many, the Wednesday plan came as a surprise.
Palola said she expects roughly 500 customers from Wednesday through Saturday night. She also raised concerns about deliveries.
Goldman recommended customers use on-street parking and suggested meeting with Palola one-on-one to discuss plans. Public health director Melanie Dineen apologized for the inconvenience, but said this was “sort of the best we could do.” In an interview, Clayton said the need to close the Walden Street lot on Wednesday arose recently as officials met with vendors.
Unlike some other business leaders, and despite the parking lot closure, Palola said communication with organizers has been “great.”
Fiorella’s will be open April 19. Directly across the street, Karen Rosado said Concord Lamp and Shade will also be open.
“We’re going to be right in the thick of it,” said Rosado, a sales assistant.
‘A wonderful opportunity’
One meeting attendee asked Goldman whether it will be safe for Concord Center businesses to operate on April 19, and he said it would.
Sarah Campbell store manager Pat Clarke said she was happy to hear from Goldman, who said officials will have up to 1,200 law enforcement personnel available. Clarke said the store aims to welcome customers on the 250th anniversary.
Concord Chamber of Commerce acting president Rob Look said every local business will feel the effects of the 250th. Though some spots will close for the day, Look said the celebration will be “a wonderful opportunity” to introduce Concord to new visitors.
In an email to The Bridge, Look said he expects businesses will see more visitors at least through next year’s America250 celebrations.
Clayton said organizers sought to communicate with businesses throughout the planning process but acknowledged “people are busy.”
As April 19 approaches, Clayton said business leaders should contact organizers with questions. In an interview, he remembered when a March 14 meeting participant asked people in attendance to raise their hands if they planned to close on April 19. Just two hands went up.
“I saw that as an encouraging sign,” Clayton said.
The tourists are coming!
Concord250 is just weeks away, and residents within road closure zones should check their mailboxes.
Town officials have published April 19 road closure maps on the town website.
While travel will be limited, communications manager Donna McIntosh said the town will distribute placards to let affected residents drive to and from their homes.
Officials will mail the placards during the week of April 1. Residents should hang them from a car’s rearview mirror to be visible to police at roadblocks.
Road closures will start at 6 p.m. on April 18. Even outside the road closures, police will enforce an on-street parking ban from 6 p.m. on April 18 until the end of the day on April 19 in an effort to deter out-of-town visitors from swamping local side streets.
— Dakota Antelman
