Lansdale Mayor Visits Elm Terrace Gardens

Lansdale Borough has grown by leaps and bounds throughout its history and most residents have seen and lived through those changes.
On Tuesday at Elm Terrace Gardens, there were some nagging questions that concerned residents there, specifically on the future of the town as it relates to a new municipal complex and a new arts center at 311 W. Main St.
The man there to answer their questions Tuesday was visiting Lansdale Mayor Andy Szekely.
"We're sitting in a very good situation," said Szekely about the future of Lansdale.
Szekely said that when he became mayor, he had no idea what the job entailed for Lansdale. He asked himself what he wanted out of the town, he said.
One thing he wanted was more shops. So, Szekely said he began sending out letters to businesses to entice them to open business in Lansdale.
Molly Maguire's, he said, responded and he took then through town. Szekely said property values were just right to get them in on the ground floor.
"Now, we have a nice restaurant in the heart of town," he said. "The more places you have, the more foot traffic you'll generate."
Soon, Virago Baking Co., Tabora Farms, The Water Gallery, and Round Guys Brewery followed suit.
"While she grew up here," Szekely said of Virago owner Regina Mason, "she never thought about (opening business in town)."
He said the art gallery wasn't having much luck in the beginning at its Dresher Arcade location.
"Why not take a chance with a gallery?" Szekely said, referencing what he said to gallery owner Aaron Wiener. "A gallery adds value to the downtown."
Now, the gallery is a success and has even garnered enough popularity and funds to donate to Manna on Main Street, he said.
Szekely said he was able to work with the landlord, business owner and previous tenant at the Tabora Farms location to bring that cafe to town.
"I explained how this would be a benefit to the business owner and the borough," he said.
Szekely told Elm Terrace residents that one common denominator to bring people to town is a brewery. Round Guys, he said, was enticed to open in Lansdale due to the success of Oktoberfest and Lansdale Beer Fest.
"I tell folks, we're getting there and people like more shops," he said. "My firm belief is, the more eateries you have, the more come in. Then you get your other stores that feed off that."
Resident Walt Garner, 90, said Szekely's question and answer session was very good.
"I like that he came out to visit with us old folk," Garner said.
Szekely said he was invited out by Elm Terrace Public Relations Director Traci Connelly to do a meet and greet.
"I know quite a few of the people here because they were of my parents' generation," he said. Szekely, a chiropractor by trade, took over his father's business.
"It's nice to be out here and give the residents an update," he said. "I could ramble on for hours about the borough."
Szekely said residents were genuinely excited to see what is going on in town.
"A lot of folks remember Lansdale in its heyday and they'd like to return to that," he said. "We're getting there slowly but surely."