An upcoming television show about town centers brought Boston-based cameras to Main Street last Thursday, Aug. 19, and the downtown business group was thrilled.
"They asked about the Main Street makeover project and about our downtown businesses," said Elaine LeBlanc-Baker, president of the Andover Business Center Association. "It's great that they were here."
Chronicle, a long-running news magazine show on Channel 5, plans to air the episode next month.
"We're planning a program on town centers. Feel free to check back for an airdate in a couple of weeks. Or, watch our weekly listings at www.thebostonchannel.com/chronicle," Susan Sloane, Chronicle's managing editor, wrote in an email to the Townsman.
Cameras rolled at Addison Gallery on the campus of Phillips Academy and moved north with filming ending at Andover's new wine bar, Bin 28 at North Main and Elm streets.
"I was nervous, but it was good," said Bin 28 owner Matthew Morello. "Who knows how much footage they will use, but they were here for about two hours."
Morello said his wine bar was crowded with customers as the cameras rolled.
"That was good," he said.
The cameras also filmed at dresscode, Sweet Mimi's and General Goods, LeBlanc-Baker said.
"They really wanted a feel for our businesses," she said. "I stressed how businesses really want to be on Main Street. Businesses may come and go but we get tenants fast."
LeBlanc-Baker cited the new tenant at the former Strawberry Tree location on Main Street as an example. The new occupant, Lyn Evans for Potpourri Design, is a woman's clothier and is expected to be opened next month. The store's new business sign went up on the day of filming. The store is also located in Wellesley and Hanover.
"Right now, the only vacancy on Main Street is House of Clean," LeBlanc-Baker said.
She set up her television interview in the courtyard at Olde Andover Village. Those businesses may not be right on Main Street but she said they are an important part of downtown.
"I wanted everyone included," she said.
ANDOVER DAY VENDORS
The Andover Business Center Association is now renting tents to vendors for Andover Day. Set for Saturday, Sept. 25 this year, the event brought 6,000 people downtown in 2009. This year's Andover Day is sponsored by Stop & Shop, The River radio station (92.9) and Lawrence General Hospital. See andoverbusiness.org for details.
