Tunkhannock Undergoing Downtown Renaissance (Scranton, Wilkes-Barre: real estate market, mortgage broker, broker)

[ScranBarre]

Memoriesbre and KBlasi will probably both enjoy this thread the most. I was just watching the top story on the 5:30 PM news on WNEP, and they did a segment highlighting how Downtown Tunkhannock is undergoing a revival. Over the past year a half-dozen new businesses have opened in town.

Maureen Dymond just opened the Tioga Bistro about three weeks ago. "Tunkhannock is really starting like a renaissance here. Lots of new businesses coming in, lots of people coming in from all over. It's really exciting," she said.

She also has fresh competition right next-door where an executive chef from Florida has opened a new restaurant called Seasons. "People like to come to Tunkhannock because it's conservative. It's quiet. You can come here, kick your feet up, and relax. You can drive through Tunkhannock and walk down our streets and it's common that someone is going to wave to you. You can't get that in a large city where Katherine (his wife) and I came from," said owner Bruce Arrowood.

I myself have noticed that Downtown Tunkhannock is on the verge of something wonderful. Ten years ago the town was comparatively a dump compared to how it is currently. Now the Dietrich Theater has been restored and is host to film festivals and various community events. Annual events draw visitors to town. Folks from the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre area who seek an alternative to Jim Thorpe of Milford are soon going to start flocking to Tunkhannock to pour money into the local economy. Mr. Arrowood's statements ring loud and clear for me, as I was a complete stranger in town, yet I was treated very pleasantly by those whom I came into contact with.

I usually feel like crying when I visit Tunkhannock to realize that this is how Pittston could have looked if years of inept politicians hadn't torn down many historic treasures along our Main Street for parking lots, drive-thru chain pharmacies, drive-thru banks, fast food places, etc. Now Pittston is a dump beyond resurrection.

[Dawne]

This sounds wonderful. We had an opportunity to buy the former KOA outside of Tunkhannock a year or two ago but we passed due to flooding (had enough of that at our former campground). It's now under new ownership and I wish that person all the best. It sounds like he (or she) will be quite busy as the area is improving dramatically.

[ScranBarre]

Originally Posted by Dawne

This sounds wonderful. We had an opportunity to buy the former KOA outside of Tunkhannock a year or two ago but we passed due to flooding (had enough of that at our former campground). It's now under new ownership and I wish that person all the best. It sounds like he (or she) will be quite busy as the area is improving dramatically.

Definitely. The Endless Mountains will be the "New Poconos" in another decade or so as Monroe/Pike Counties continue to become suburbanized and folks from the city look for a nice quiet place to "get away from it all." I firmly believe the stunning natural beauty of Susquehanna, Bradford, Tioga, Wyoming, and Sullivan Counties can't be matched by the Poconos. Montrose especially reminds me of a quaint Vermont village. Tunkhannock (and Wellsboro) will be to the Endless Mountains as Jim Thorpe is to the Poconos.

[irishLASSIE333]

I agree. This is a picture I took near Elk with my phone (*sheepish*) :



I think it's just lovely!

[irishLASSIE333]

Not to crash the thread or anything, but speaking of Tunkhannock. . .
There used to be a store in downtown Honesdale that sold products made by a great skincare line called Country Herbals. Fortunately, there is a website, because I believe the Honesdale store has closed or atleast relocated out of town.
I think the woman who owns/runs Country Herbals was based in Wyalusing at one point, but I see on the website that there is now a Tunkhannock address (W. Tioga Street). I am not sure if this is just the contact info for ordering and etc. or if there is an actual store. Anyone heard of this lovely product line?

[memoriesbre]

I too saw the 5:30 news. My DH and I can't wait to go to the new restaurants. The Popcorn store maybe for a snack! This town has really changed in the last 11months that we have been here. It is absolutely gorgeous here in the Endless Mountains and I am sure glad we live here!!

I really love the hometown feel when we are in the downtown area. The homes are all well kept and the people are friendly. You see kids walking along the sidewalks as well as the adults. Christmas time is wonderful also. All the store windows are beautifully decorated. Homes in this area are probably going to sky-rocket in price when the real estate market turns around in a few years. We couldn't find anything with the views or the property and home size in Pike or Wayne County when we were looking last year at homes. Our home and the view is amazing. The price was much more affordable also than in Wayne and Pike County. I don't think that will be the case in a few more years.
I was speaking to a local business woman and she stated that one of her collegues
said "wait and see how Tunkhannock is going to change in the next 2 years". I hope it doesn't change too much though. I love it just the way it is!!

Hey where is Kblasi?? We could be neighbors for all I know!!

[ScranBarre]

Originally Posted by memoriesbre

I too saw the 5:30 news. My DH and I can't wait to go to the new restaurants. The Popcorn store maybe for a snack! This town has really changed in the last 11months that we have been here. It is absolutely gorgeous here in the Endless Mountains and I am sure glad we live here!!

I really love the hometown feel when we are in the downtown area. The homes are all well kept and the people are friendly. You see kids walking along the sidewalks as well as the adults. Christmas time is wonderful also. All the store windows are beautifully decorated. Homes in this area are probably going to sky-rocket in price when the real estate market turns around in a few years. We couldn't find anything with the views or the property and home size in Pike or Wayne County when we were looking last year at homes. Our home and the view is amazing. The price was much more affordable also than in Wayne and Pike County. I don't think that will be the case in a few more years.
I was speaking to a local business woman and she stated that one of her collegues
said "wait and see how Tunkhannock is going to change in the next 2 years". I hope it doesn't change too much though. I love it just the way it is!!

Hey where is Kblasi?? We could be neighbors for all I know!!

Hi Auntie! KBlasi is a mortgage broker who I believe lives in the town proper, so he probably wouldn't be your neighbor if you're a few miles outside of town. He contributes regularly to an Internet blog for those in the real estate industry, and you can find his submissions here:

Real Estate Blog - A Tunkhannock Christmas Celebration

Tunkhannock has been getting more "hype" as of late, and I predicted this would happen for quite some time. Nationwide people want to return to those "Bedford Falls" types of Main Street scenes from yesteryear, which you can't find in Dickson City, Wilkes-Barre Township, etc. Tunkhannock has a few blocks of well-kept historic brick buildings with mom-and-pop shops, restaurants, and most importantly the wonderful Dietrich Theater. You can't find many wholesome, nostalgic scenes like these in most parts of America nowadays---why do you think Milford, Hawley, and Honesdale have become so popular with the New Yawkers?

I'm still saddened though that Gable's Bakery closed. Tunkhannock NEEDS a hometown bakery again. I myself don't get up 92 or 29 much to visit your town, but when I do I love strolling the streets. It's a real treat to step to the edge of a crosswalk along West Tioga Street and to have motorists slow to a crawl and wave me across. Here in Pittston people make right-hand turns on red into the path of pedestrians in crosswalks without caring because they're a bunch of jerks! Tunkhannock, despite what some folks may say, is a friendly, wholesome community.

For what it's worth, you shouldn't be worried about Tunkhannock losing its rural character anytime soon. Over the next five years I only see perhaps (at most) 2,000 folks moving to the entirety of Wyoming County. I can realistically see the new Wal-Mart Supercenter being built along 29 in about five years with the old one becoming either a Lowe's or Home Depot (which would unfortunately kill Gay's). Only time will tell if Tunkhannock residents will continue to patronize mom-and-pop businesses ALONG with the new "big boys," or if they're going to be like folks here in the SWB area who couldn't care less about the little guys going under in favor of all that is "shiny" and "new." The new Wal-Mart Supercenter could bring new opportunities to town, but it could also destroy its character. If I lived in Eaton Township I would be very wary of pushing for this new project blindly without pondering what may come of the nearby downtown area.

[nkotb]

Originally Posted by SWB

Memoriesbre and KBlasi will probably both enjoy this thread the most. I was just watching the top story on the 5:30 PM news on WNEP, and they did a segment highlighting how Downtown Tunkhannock is undergoing a revival. Over the past year a half-dozen new businesses have opened in town.

Maureen Dymond just opened the Tioga Bistro about three weeks ago. "Tunkhannock is really starting like a renaissance here. Lots of new businesses coming in, lots of people coming in from all over. It's really exciting," she said.

She also has fresh competition right next-door where an executive chef from Florida has opened a new restaurant called Seasons. "People like to come to Tunkhannock because it's conservative. It's quiet. You can come here, kick your feet up, and relax. You can drive through Tunkhannock and walk down our streets and it's common that someone is going to wave to you. You can't get that in a large city where Katherine (his wife) and I came from," said owner Bruce Arrowood.

I myself have noticed that Downtown Tunkhannock is on the verge of something wonderful. Ten years ago the town was comparatively a dump compared to how it is currently. Now the Dietrich Theater has been restored and is host to film festivals and various community events. Annual events draw visitors to town. Folks from the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre area who seek an alternative to Jim Thorpe of Milford are soon going to start flocking to Tunkhannock to pour money into the local economy. Mr. Arrowood's statements ring loud and clear for me, as I was a complete stranger in town, yet I was treated very pleasantly by those whom I came into contact with.

I usually feel like crying when I visit Tunkhannock to realize that this is how Pittston could have looked if years of inept politicians hadn't torn down many historic treasures along our Main Street for parking lots, drive-thru chain pharmacies, drive-thru banks, fast food places, etc. Now Pittston is a dump beyond resurrection.

Those half dozen NEW businesses you are speaking about - very likely will not be 'in business' in Tunk. within the next several years. As a native of the
area (across the bridge) as Tunkhanians like to put it. I opened a shop
downtown -- WELL, I might as well have been from MARS !!! I put my
best foot forward, donated to all the charities and tried very hard to be
a part of the business world in Tunk. TO NO AVAIL !! And I might add
I am not the only one who can tell the same story.

[memoriesbre]

Originally Posted by nkotb

Those half dozen NEW businesses you are speaking about - very likely will not be 'in business' in Tunk. within the next several years. As a native of the
area (across the bridge) as Tunkhanians like to put it. I opened a shop
downtown -- WELL, I might as well have been from MARS !!! I put my
best foot forward, donated to all the charities and tried very hard to be
a part of the business world in Tunk. TO NO AVAIL !! And I might add
I am not the only one who can tell the same story.

Well I don't have that feeling about these new restaurants. When we pass we always see people inside them. New people are coming to the area and I think this town is going to explode!

[memoriesbre]

Originally Posted by SWB

Hi Auntie! KBlasi is a mortgage broker who I believe lives in the town proper, so he probably wouldn't be your neighbor if you're a few miles outside of town. He contributes regularly to an Internet blog for those in the real estate industry, and you can find his submissions here:

Real Estate Blog - A Tunkhannock Christmas Celebration

Tunkhannock has been getting more "hype" as of late, and I predicted this would happen for quite some time. Nationwide people want to return to those "Bedford Falls" types of Main Street scenes from yesteryear, which you can't find in Dickson City, Wilkes-Barre Township, etc. Tunkhannock has a few blocks of well-kept historic brick buildings with mom-and-pop shops, restaurants, and most importantly the wonderful Dietrich Theater. You can't find many wholesome, nostalgic scenes like these in most parts of America nowadays---why do you think Milford, Hawley, and Honesdale have become so popular with the New Yawkers?

I'm still saddened though that Gable's Bakery closed. Tunkhannock NEEDS a hometown bakery again. I myself don't get up 92 or 29 much to visit your town, but when I do I love strolling the streets. It's a real treat to step to the edge of a crosswalk along West Tioga Street and to have motorists slow to a crawl and wave me across. Here in Pittston people make right-hand turns on red into the path of pedestrians in crosswalks without caring because they're a bunch of jerks! Tunkhannock, despite what some folks may say, is a friendly, wholesome community.

For what it's worth, you shouldn't be worried about Tunkhannock losing its rural character anytime soon. Over the next five years I only see perhaps (at most) 2,000 folks moving to the entirety of Wyoming County. I can realistically see the new Wal-Mart Supercenter being built along 29 in about five years with the old one becoming either a Lowe's or Home Depot (which would unfortunately kill Gay's). Only time will tell if Tunkhannock residents will continue to patronize mom-and-pop businesses ALONG with the new "big boys," or if they're going to be like folks here in the SWB area who couldn't care less about the little guys going under in favor of all that is "shiny" and "new." The new Wal-Mart Supercenter could bring new opportunities to town, but it could also destroy its character. If I lived in Eaton Township I would be very wary of pushing for this new project blindly without pondering what may come of the nearby downtown area.

I think we will still shop at Gay's because of the friendly service we get.
At Home Depot it is hard to find anybody to answer your questions. I enjoy shopping at the local Foodtown without all the crowds.
A Superwalmart would be nice though