Authenticizing Inner Harbor and maybe thinking about authenticity and Georgetown DC

Oregon, which has a great deal of industry, ranging from Pendleton Woolens to computer software and hardware, as well as a productive agricultural system has shops called "Made in Oregon" which market tourism and state-produced goods simultaneously.

One of the ways to strengthen authenticity in the face of being overwhelmed by tourists is to actively create and market similar kinds of retail experiences.

I think that the State of Maryland should have a beer and wine tasting establishment of some sort in the Inner Harbor, featuring products produced in the state. That would give people a better sense of Maryland than the California Pizza Kitchen or the Ruth's Chris Steak House.
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Speaking of the impact of tourism in changing the mix of retail establishments, yesterday's Examiner reports, in "Georgetown sees exodus of galleries" that:

"Time was when Georgetown was a destination for art collectors. Dozens of galleries were tucked into town houses and commercial space in this village-like section of the city. But times change."Sometimes real estate is the issue," said Norman Parish of Parish Gallery, one of five galleries in an area where once there were 10....

Catriona Fraser, director of the Fraser Gallery in Georgetown, is moving her art business to an expanded space in Bethesda. Jessie Webb/For The Examiner

Fraser also said her move next month was prompted by to a change in Georgetown's milieu. Art galleries are a destination," she said. "You need collectors, not tourists." "Georgetown does not have a Metro station, parking is difficult and, since the utility work, a lot of uniqueness has gone out of it," said Fraser. "It's like an outdoor mall - same stores you find in Georgetown you find in a mall, except it's not as convenient as going to a mall."

She cited other factors for the move, noting that the Bethesda Urban Partnership actively encourages galleries. "It's really pushing for and doing so much to support them - advertisement, walking tours of galleries, awards and the fine arts festival," said Fraser.
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I say the same things over and over again:

1. DC does much better than cities like Baltimore but that's irrelevant because our real day-in, day-out competition is in Arlington, Alexandria, and Montgomery counties.

2. To stay the same is to fall behind, because it is your best competitors that continue to move forward.

Index Keywords: tourism; retail