Friends of Midtown volunteer Ed Jaroch plants a tree with Pennsylvania STEAM Academy students.
Looking from my desk out TheBurg’s office window, I have a straight vantage point to the front of a commercial space across the street.
The building used to house Zeroday Brewing Co. before they sadly closed late last year.
In early June, I noticed paper go up in the windows of the space, signifying to me that work was taking place, and maybe, just maybe, a new business was moving in.
Periodically, glancing out the window at the door across the street became part of my new routine, as I hoped to catch a glimpse of signs of life or maybe even a familiar face carrying in boxes.
I have high hopes.
That same morning that I noticed changes across the street, I attended a sneak preview of Denim Coffee’s new downtown shop. The café, which recently opened, is the business’s biggest yet, and third location downtown. It’s bright, modern, and I already foresee it being a great remote work and meeting spot. I ordered an iced chai and enjoyed (several) samples of baked goods, including my favorite scones.
While there, my co-workers and I talked to co-owner Matt Ramsay, who said he sees good things on the horizon in Harrisburg. He wouldn’t have invested so much into building his business in the city if he didn’t. That makes sense.
His genuine excitement and positivity got me feeling optimistic too. Good things are happening in Harrisburg.
My tip for finding them: Stay off Facebook, which is not representative of our city, and get out into the real community.
In early June, I went to Friends of Midtown’s annual yard sale. I bopped around, found a few things, chatted with some neighbors. On Kelker Street, I came upon Bruce and Eva Burchfield, who were selling Eva’s homemade donuts, reminiscent of her days operating her Evanilla donut stand in the Broad Street Market. Of course, I got one.
I also got a fun glimpse into city history, with bins full of Harrisburg Senators memorabilia, another with “Greetings from Harrisburg” postcards, and one person was selling a Harrisburg-themed Monopoly game.
I just happened to stumble upon the HBG Flea, set up in the Midtown Cinema parking lot that day, which was packed with browsers.
A few weeks before that, I attended a friend’s gathering on the cinema’s patio, which included bevs from Zeroday’s Outpost and getting to know new people.
All of that said, it’s been a great couple of weeks in Harrisburg.
It’s easy to get discouraged about the state of our city. I report on city government, follow issues like crime and blight. So, I definitely have moments of frustration and sadness when I see businesses closing, officials quarreling, or families being affected by violence—the bad stuff.
Still, I see so much good.
For another story in this issue, I visited Recycle Bicycle in Allison Hill. You can’t go there and leave feeling bad about the city. They have some of the kindest volunteers, the friendliest visitors, and seeing a smiling little girl pick out her new bike transported me back to childhood. Even after the tragic passing of its founder, Recycle Bicycle is doing great and planning for its future, one that volunteers believe will be long.
On Facebook, you might miss these things (unless you’re on TheBurg’s page) amidst the fighting in comment sections and constant verbal beating Harrisburg takes, often from people who don’t live in or visit the city at all.
In real life, you may just see little Easter eggs of hope all around.
New signs are going up in previously vacant store windows. Events are popping up every weekend. Kind people are planting trees, picking up trash and volunteering.
You shouldn’t stick your head in the sand or stop advocating for an even better city—there are plenty of real concerns and challenges. But there’s also so much to be excited about and (one of the best parts about a small city) so much room for you to get involved.
Maddie Gittens is managing editor of TheBurg.
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