The Story
Staff Editorial: Tradition Never Dies?
Consumer Hot Spots Revolutionize Our Town
You might have seen the golden yellow T-shirts for the class of 2012 walking around campus this semester. But the witty slogan on the back, “Tradition Never Graduates,” may say something more about our community than we realize.
Graduation is change, and we’d like to think that our traditions remain constant.
Nonetheless, a stream of change has come to Williamsburg, change that promises to continue in times to come. New shopping centers are springing up - at least before the economic downturn hits our little community - and along with new businesses, we can see more housing options and attractions for prospective students.
Many were surprised by the elections last month. Yes, Virginia has become a blue state. (Though, of course, that invading blue did not change the red tint of Virginia’s First Congressional District in the race confirming incumbant republican Representative Rob Wittman.) When it comes to change, Obama jumps to mind, of course. Whether or not he can live up to the hopes he inspired is for time to tell - and a debate for a different editorial.
The point is, change is not necessarily just a national thing. It’s a local thing and we see it in all around us in Williamsburg. (In a philosophical sense, change is the only constant.) For a community that is completely rooted in history and “tradition,” it’s surprising that these changes are not more noticed and criticized.
New Town is just one example. Was it not historic when Williamsburg’s first ever full-time, multi-screen movie theater opened its doors? Remember, it was back in 1933 when the Kimball Theater opened in Merchant’s Square. (Opening night featured acting by the William and Mary players and a Mickey Mouse cartoon.)
If you go to New Town’s site online (yes, New Town has its own Web page), you will find big gold letters of the motto, “There’s a new revolution in Williamsburg, Virginia.” As we have all discovered by now, this new revolution apparently ushers in the era of Panera, Old Navy, Victoria’s Secret, and Regal Cinemas.
The Endowment Association at the College actually went into a joint venture with C.C. Casey Limited Company to build New Town, according to the Web site. The College has also sponsored an annual “William and Mary Nite” at New Town for the past two years, with shuttles, a live band and discounts at stores. There’s obviously a symbiotic relationship to be fostered here.
With this development comes mixed feelings. The new places to spend our sparse (or, in some cases, abundant) college-student cash is good for the College in many ways, but does it change what is fundamentally “Williamsburg” about Williamsburg? New Town itself proclaims a different style, “new urbanism,” but sticks to the colonial architecture.
If this is a revolution, it hasn’t ended. A new development is cropping up on Richmond Road. This too will feature a movie theater, though it will have only seven screens compared to New Town’s twelve. The center will also include apartments, condos and townhomes.
In September, the city council unanimously approved plans to redevelop the property on Richmond Road where Monica Spiritual Reader and Advisor and the Dis-N-That thrift shop are located. The new buildings will include restaurants, stores, and condos.
Is any part of the hard-earned William and Mary endowment going to the new shopping centers? Because New Town and other shops might lure prospective students, is William and Mary simply building the town it always wished Williamsburg was? Will the College continue to pair up with these awkward ventures, as the economy slides and President Reveley makes sobering pronouncements about budget cuts and hiring freezes?
The Williamsburg area has changed drastically in the 376 years since the colonial European settlements. Yet it has always squared adaptability with tradition. Maybe it’s best that we do get these new consumer hot spots. (And lord knows we could use more housing.) But let’s make sure that tradition never does die, if only in our hearts and the history books. Let’s make sure we don’t forget what Williamsburg really is.
This piece originally appeared in the December 2008 issue issue of The DoG Street Journal.