The changing national economy of recent times has been reflected in the changing face of Hanover's Main Street, both in the addition of several stores and the disappearance of others.
Shopkeepers said they are happy to see new additions to Hanover's shopping area and hope the new stores will attract customers to the town.
Although the arrival of The Gap last Spring signaled a change in the traditional small town atmosphere, shopkeepers are excited about the new business the chain-store has brought.
"We are very pleased Campion's came back and The Gap came to town -- the more reasons to come here, the better," Jeff Cowan, the owner of Cowan's clothing store, said. "New businesses can only help."
Employees of The Gap said they are happy to be in Hanover.
An employee of Mia, a local clothing store, said most stores are not concerned about direct competition from The Gap because "they have a different style. each store is different and unique," she said.
The recent upswing of the national economy has created an optimistic atmosphere in town.
"Everyone seems to be doing good, the new stores are just what this place needs -- now business here is more like that in a mall," owner of Traditionally Trendy Rocio Menoscal said.
But business owners and employees are more worried about stores leaving the area than entering.
"Our main concern is if you see Main Street stores leave, especially if they were occupying a major locale -- hopefully something fills in immediately. If not, it takes away from downtown business" said Colleen Kochanek, an employee of the clothing store Rare Essentials.
Another new arrival on Main Street, Subterra Sports, has based its business fundamentally on "local traffic."
"Hanover is a relatively good place for business -- especially Main Street," a store representative said. "But shopping patterns have changed over the last 20 years, and retail has changed in terms of traffic -- there are less people here in the mornings, especially since more women have joined the work force."
"The fundamental part of our business is based on local traffic. Hanover doesn't have a strong local draw, and most businesses can always tell when there's a football game, etc. Hanover in general lacks a lot of other business geared to local traffic," Cowan said.
Cowan said stores in Hanover must try "to walk the tightrope," satisfying both local and tourist demands.
