By Liv Barry
Lifestyle Editor
When walking through Chestertown, students and local residents are likely to spot them: “We Love Washington College Students” decals posted in storefront windows, indicating a 10% discount for all WC pupils.
According to the Downtown Chestertown Association President Andy Goddard ’78, the organization implemented the discount program nine years ago to incentivize students to shop locally. However, despite the prevalence of the decals, few are aware of the program.
Working with members of SLICE, a campus organization focused on student leaders in civic engagement, the DCA is looking to revamp the program to make its presence better known with the student body.
According to junior Silvana Tipson, who is a member of SLICE’s Business and Town Engagement Committee, student leaders worked closely with Executive Assistant to Vice President of Student Affairs, Office Manager, and Transportation Manager Jen Schultz, as well as the DCA, to make the program more visible.
“We are currently trying to create a comprehensive list of the local businesses that offer WC students discounts to distribute to students during orientation and to have around campus,” Tipson said.
Currently, the list of participating businesses includes Artists’ Gallery, Bee Crafty, Bespoke Chocolate, The Bookplate, Chester River Soaperie, Chester River Wine & Cheese, Coco’s Pet Center, Empty Hangers, Figg’s Ordinary, Hegland Studio, Houston’s Dockside Emporium, Mimi’s Closet, Modern Stone Age Kitchen, Music Life, Riverside Unique, Robert Ortiz Studio, Sarah Paige Studio Salon, The Finishing Touch, The Spicerie, Tiny Tots, and Tish Fine Art Plus.
While the discount does not cover every store in Chestertown, Goddard encourages students to reach out to businesses who do not have discount decals displayed.
“If you don’t see [a discount decal], ask,” Goddard said. “Almost all of the shops participate, and if by chance they do not, the more student inquiries, the more likely the owner will want to join the program.”
Sophomore Quincey Friedman, who works alongside Tipson on SLICE’s Business and Town Engagement Committee, hopes that further visibility for the discount project can bring together students and Chestertown residents.
“We believe that it will be a great way to encourage students to go into town and get involved with the community. Right now it seems like there is a disconnect between the two or that students don’t always feel comfortable or informed enough to do so. This will hopefully remedy that,” Friedman said.
Goddard echoes Friedman’s sentiment, noting that tensions between the College and locals have been an issue since he attended WC in the 1970s.
“Businesses in downtown Chestertown welcome students with open arms,” Goddard said. “They all want WC students to patronize their shops. There may be a resident or two who is not happy with off campus parties in their neighborhood — but no business owners.”
Tipson feels like the program is a step forward toward stable, inter-community connections.
“After attending the DCA meeting and talking to various local business owners, it is evident that they would love to see more college students in their shops and would like to support us in any way they can,” Tipson said.
Going forward, both the DCA and SLICE hope to maintain strong bonds between the College and its surrounding community by continuing to implement programming that benefits both the student body and Chestertown residents.
Goddard said that the DCA “looks forward” to working with SLICE in the future. Their next collaboration, which is scheduled for September, is an ice cream social to welcome students back to Chestertown for the new school year.
Elm Archive Photo
Photo Caption: Many businesses downtown employ a discount program to incentivize student patrons.