Full circle is the best way to describe my journey from growing up in downtown Cape in the 1980’s and 1990’s to my role as Executive Director of Old Town Cape since the fall of 2019. My family, Steve, Mary, and Chris Robertson and I had three small businesses in downtown Cape when I was a kid. My parents purchased 605 Broadway (currently known as the Indie House) in the early 1980’s, and after some work to the building, we moved in shortly thereafter. We lived on the second and third floors, and my dad’s business, Robertson’s Creative Photography, occupied the main level. My parents operated a bed and breakfast out of the carriage house (similar to the building’s current use) and eventually a small antique shop, Annie Laurie’s Antiques. When I was in grade school, my mom purchased the building which currently houses Annie Laurie’s, previously Brinkopf-Howell Funeral Home. Her dream was to expand Annie Laurie’s Antiques into a large antique mall, and within months had started working towards that goal. For over a decade, she operated an incredibly successful antique mall in that location, eventually housing over 50 vendors in the space. Even famous singer, Sheryl Crow, shopped there! She eventually sold the building and business to current owner, Laurie Ray, who eventually purchased 605 Broadway as well. My mom then got a degree in counseling and is still a downtown business owner, operating her private practice out of the old Federal Building.
My fondest childhood memories took place on the streets of downtown Cape. Many Saturday mornings, we would walk our family dog down Broadway and have breakfast at My Daddy’s Cheesecake. On warm summer days, I would play in the fountain, which is now known as Ivers Square on the City Hall grounds. We would then visit the river, and often connect with friends we would run into along the way. Another favorite memory was hosting lemonade stands on the front lawn at 605 Broadway. And perhaps my very favorite childhood memory of downtown Cape is racing turtles and participating in the Best Dressed Turtle contest in the annual Riverfest event! Other favorite businesses were Hecht’s for my mom, and La Bamba Mexican restaurant on Broadway. There was also a bakery in the building that now houses Catapult, which we frequented. Growing up in downtown Cape was exciting because we had one of the best spots, our front steps, to view the Parade of Lights, and I learned about historic preservation and the importance of placemaking from a young age.
It is very exciting to run an organization responsible for the revitalization of my childhood stomping grounds, our beautiful and thriving downtown community! So much has been
accomplished since the organization was founded in 1999, from new events being started (55 annual events now!) which bring folks downtown that ring cash registers, to buildings that were going to be demolished if not for the advocacy of Old Town Cape and our community partners, to new businesses being recruited to our downtown, to annual facade grants which help business and property owners offset the costs of enhancements like murals, signage, etc, to the formation and management of the downtown Community Improvement District, and so much more. But we couldn’t do it without the incredible community. Our volunteers, community partners, sponsors, developers, property owners, downtown residents, and downtown business owners are the lifeblood of our downtown. And I couldn’t be prouder of my hometown’s growth, vibrancy, and momentum!
