The Flavor of Route 6A

The other day, one of the best winter days I have seen since moving to Cape Cod. I decided to take a ride along 6A which happens to be one of my favorite springtime drives. The charm of the old houses, small shops and stately trees never fails to put me in a good mood.

As I drove I saw, as I knew I would, how many of the old trees had been uprooted and destroyed by the storm this past December. It will be awhile for the new trees that will be planted (most property owners along this road are very conscious about keeping their property well loved. In fact most damage had already been cleaned up and swept away. So I have no doubt the trees will return.

What was more disturbing to me was the amount of for sale signs. Not just on residential homes but on the small shops as well. Being a fairly new, struggled to land ashore (my version of washed ashore) home & business owner on 6A it begs the question WHY??

I do know a lot of the shop owners here have been doing this a while and so attrition plays a part in this. The economy is another factor and yes it is a very hard time to try to run a small business.

Some say the rules, and while there are rules everywhere, have some gotten out of hand. Is the small shop owner being moved out of their small independent shop and being forced into a commercial area of that town? If so are we then inadvertently changing the flavor and look of Route 6A? Will we end up with mini malls (no I’m sure they will not be called malls) but the look and feel will be the same?

While this blog was never intended to be political or controversial, rather it started with requests from customers who wanted to stay connected with this area and the shop when they couldn’t be here. So view it as a new cape codder who enjoys her home, shop and customers and may occasionally have to ask a question or two. Oh, and please do feel free to comment.