It’s been a year since COVID changed life everywhere, including here on the Eastern Shore. In the early days, we at the Spy interviewed and wrote stories about how businesses were coping as they struggled to adapt. We reported on how some were creating or increasing their online presence, others who were coming up with innovative ways to market and sell, while still others had to close and hope that this would all be temporary. Most survived. Some did not. Too often, we heard people talk about how things had changed for the worse, pining for the life pre-pandemic.
This will not be one of those stories.
Instead, we’re going to stop by Vintage Books and Fine Art on N. Washington St., where owner Tim Boyle can keep a positive attitude although agreeing that it’s been a challenging year. “As any business owner knows,” he said, “you have good times, you have bad times. Adversity wasn’t going to keep me from doing what I love to do. I knew it wasn’t going to be permanent. It was a matter of riding out the wave.” But he was aware he was luckier than some. He already had an online presence that brought in some money, although it was a fraction of what it used to be. He also had a two-income household.
Even during those days, which turned into weeks, which turned into months, when businesses were not allowed to open, even then, he would go in every day and spend the time cataloging, making lists, and keeping busy. It helped that he began to get a lot of new inventory. “When the quarantine was new to everyone, people were taking that time and just cleaning, throwing stuff away, just getting rid of things. I got a lot of calls. It’s still way up, which was a good thing. Because if I don’t buy stuff, I don’t have anything to sell.”
The problem was that even with all this inventory, the town that was used to events bringing in tourists by the scores dried up. Boyle watched as those around him–the clothing store owners, the salons, the antique stores–were unable to do conduct any business at all. He also witnessed restaurants having to rely on take-out to survive while laying off numerous wait staff employees.
Once the town began to re-open, there was the realization that things were different. “I remember in mid-May when everything resumed. On a normal Saturday, I might get 75 to 100 people through. And on that first Saturday, maybe half a dozen people came. So, I thought, ‘Man, I’m in trouble.’”
And here is where you might expect that what Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell meant when he said: “We’re recovering, but to a different economy,” to be a rather ominous prediction, instead of a surprising one. Because as Boyle reports, each Saturday after that initial one brought in an increasing number of customer traffic to his store. By mid-July, it was down from previous years, but the people who were coming in were spending more money. That’s still the case today.
Boyle theorizes that it might be because of new behaviors that people have acquired during the quarantine. “Part of it is was an understanding about the plight of small businesses and that they can do something about it. The other is that people are no longer going to France or even Disney World,” he says. “They’re staying closer to home and have money that they didn’t have before because of it. So, they make little mini-vacations and come in for a day trip or a weekend and spend money then because they’re not spending it elsewhere. I’ve had people come into the store and say, ‘I never knew Easton existed; this is great!’ And I always tell them that there are plenty of other towns like this all over the shore; get off Route 50 and go see them.”
The increase in tourism, Boyle says, might be due to the pre-pandemic marketing of local events such as Moonlight Madness, Fire and Ice. “Another big reason,” he says, “is that Mr. (Paul) Prager has done a great job in fixing up some of these old buildings and getting the word out. We’re appearing in the Washingtonian, Travel and Leisure, etc. It’s pulling people into the town.”
This attraction is also changing not only where people vacation but where they live. Zoom meetings have taken us everywhere, from the schoolroom to the boardroom. Many businesses have recognized they may not necessarily need to have employees work in an office. Many employees have realized that they could conduct their jobs from anywhere, and this behavior might be why we see a booming real estate market and why some local businesses are now thriving.
But Boyle remains acutely aware that not everyone has experienced a boost or feels the same amount of optimism as he does. “People still haven’t gotten to the point where they’re comfortable going to the places they used to go. And if you’re not cruising or traveling or going into work every day, then you might ask, ‘why am I going to buy clothing when I don’t have anywhere to wear it to?’ Same with a restaurant, if you don’t have outdoor seating or have a small indoor space, you’re struggling. That’s just a couple of examples.”
For now, Boyle will not let the pandemic alter what he loves to do most. “I deal in history,” he says. “Yes, I do carry books that would interest some tourists, but the business continually goes more and more in the direction of collectibles. Interesting, unique, eclectic books, art books, antique maps, historic newspapers, things you can put on your wall, and be connected to the actual history that happened.”
Besides books, Vintage is also an art gallery of local artists. Maryland fans can discover paraphernalia and souvenirs. Even kombucha is available for purchase, made by the Federal Brewing Company in near-by Federalsburg. You might be lucky and stop by when Layla, Boyle’s dog, is visiting, but whether she’s there or not, your dog is always welcome.
Vintage Books and Fine Art 4 N Washington St, Easton, MD 21601. vintagebooksmd.com
Val Cavalheri is a recent transplant to the Eastern Shore, having lived in Northern Virginia for the past 20 years. She’s been a writer, editor and professional photographer for various publications, including the Washington Post.
Richard Marks says
Well, we are sure fortunate that Vintage Books and Tim rode the wave. It has been wonderful to see the store succeed in their expanded space against great odds. And, we appreciate that Vintage signed on early to the Hopeful Campaign and became Hopeful Headquarters. Thanks, Tim.
Tim Boyle says
Thank you very much for the kind words Richard! I am very happy the Hopeful Campaign has been successful and done much good in this wonderful community!!
Bishop Joel Marcus Johnson says
Good story & interview. A good friend and enabler to me, Tim’s store is a gem!
Tim Boyle says
Thanks Bishop Johnson! Always great to visit with you!!