Smyrna times., 1952-08-14
BRIDGE BRINGS
GOOD BUSINESS
Merchants and Eating Houses
Report Increase Business
Since Opening of Bridge
INCREASED TRAFFIC

A survey Of merchants in the
town of Smyrna this week has
proven that they are profiting by
the large increase in traffic going
thru as a result of the opening of
the Chesapeake Bay Bridge. This
trade, of course, affects only those
in certain kinds of business, not
ably the eating places, drug stores,
and gift shops. What is probably
the greatest upsurge in business is
seen at the Smyrna Theatre Soda
Shop, where between the hours of
one and three o'clock large in
crease in customers is noted by the
proprietor. Altho the tourists stop
at all hours, the peake is found at
noon hour. Martin Golden has
seen a constant increase with
steady business by the tourist
trade since the opening of the
bridge. According to Mr.. Golden,
not only is there an increase in
the soda fountain trade, but a
large amount of requests for other
items, such as cosmetics, drugs,
and sun-glasses. An oddity of the
trade is that he also is filling pre-
scriptions, proving that local doc
tors also are beneftting. Among
the many cities from which tour
lists have presented prescriptions
he named off-hand, Cleveland, Ohio,
Brooklyn, N. Y, and Pittsburgh,
Penna. At Banta's no estimate
was made of the increase but new
faces have been noticed recently,
according to ]. Chester Banta, and
they also receive requests about
eating places. Mrs. Swain at
SWANS Pharmacy was enthusias-
tic in her reply to the query about
her opinion. She stated that she
noticed the increase Immediately,
the evening of the day the bridge
opened. This has increased and is
being maintained steadily, with re-
quests for many items, in addition
to the fountain trade.
Inquiries by Tourists
Refuting the argument that
tourists do not stop in small towns,
is the fact that many are doing
that very thing, and on the down.
town streets there are many re-
quests to be directed to eating plac-
es and gift shops, and where post
cards may be purchased. The
Smyrna Gift Shop is among the
places noticing an increased trade
due to the people from other stat
es who stop here. Wootten's Cloth
ing Store is also able to report 9
slight increase in trade from tran
sients, estimated by Mr.. Wootter
as about five percent, but his busi-
ness remains predominantly local
from within a twelve-mile radius
The Colonial Hotel is being uset
for overnight stops by many per
sons, and many inquiries are made
at all places by thossSseeking goot
eating places. That seems to b.
the greatest need of all, and the
small restaurants are serving
many from out of state, especially
at the lunch hour. Mrs. Louise
Denney Clifton reports that tour
lists stop at her real estate office
asking about eating places anC
overnight accommodations, anC
she is also receiving letters asking
for folders and material abou
motels and facts about the towr
and this area. Miss Ethel Brum
baugh owner of The Wayside Inn
states that there is a definite in
crease there in tourist trade, no
only at luncheon but also at dinner
and during the weekends, especial
ly on Saturday night. She feel
that when the oppressive weathei
is over there will be a still greatel
increase.
Should Put Best Foot Forward
1t would seem to an inquiring re
porter that now is the time for tn,
town of Smyrna to put its best foo
forward, and also an opportunit.
for the Smyrna-Clayton Chambe
of Commerce to advertise the ad
vantages of stopping in Smyrna
The golden chance is right now
Public opinion in the town seem
to be overwhelmingly in favor o
the parking restriction put into eff
feet so promptly by Town Council
The impression gained by tourist
from all over the country is en-
hanced by the ease with which the,
are now able to move, and also t
stop here en- route.
Twentieth Century Club Meeting