Come Together, Right Now…

​Come Together, Right Now…

I’ve had some time on my hands this last week or so and I’ve been thinking about what I would write. I didn’t want to focus on the current events, I’ll leave that to the evening news. What I do want to talk about is our community and how we can rally around and support each other.

When restaurants were instructed that they could only provide delivery or takeout, no dine in service, our town went into action. Signs were put up in front windows, “Call ahead for delivery or take out”. A local page was started on Facebook, “Gettysburg Takeout”, to get the word out about who was open and who wasn’t. The page was created on March 26, 2020 and already has over 1,700 members. I started to hear more people say that they really wanted to support the local businesses that have stayed open. This is just one of the ways that our community shines bright.

Since this has all taken place, I have started to really explore the local eateries. I had my first Chopped Beef Cheesesteak from Hunt’s Battlefield Fries and it was amazing. I’ve heard so many people rave about this place so I had to see what all the fuss was. Now, I truly understand the fuss. Great service and great food. One of the best combinations ever. Craig and Lisa at The Gettysburger Company never disappoint. They have fantastic burgers and I was able to order my favorite “Apple Burger” to go. I ordered from Ernie’s Texas Lunch. Typically, I have to eat my “2 with” at Ernie’s. So it was a bit strange to be handed a brown bag and have to eat them somewhere else. But once I took a bite I didn’t care where I was, I had my “2 with” and was happy.

The hardest thing for me is seeing the streets empty and the shops all closed. It all seems dark and dreary, especially to a business owner of one of these shops. So as I was driving down York St. the other week I saw something taped to my window at Artworks. First I thought, “oh no, what is this”. So I took another drive and parked. I had this big, beautiful, purple heart taped to my window. On it was “Gettysburg Loves Artworks”. Actually “loves” was drawn as a heart. I started looking around and I am seeing these hearts in different colors with the same sentiment for each business. I was to find out that a borough resident named Sarah Pearce was responsible for this. Seeing these hearts around town have made me smile and appreciate living and working in such a wonderful community.

As I write this we are still in the middle of our shutdown. Not being open has crippled a lot of local businesses. Many wonder if they can survive and thrive once open. Now more than ever we need to rally the troops and show our support. Shop local, eat local. It’s going to be a long road to recovery, if some of us can recover. Show your support. Go to www.gettysburgretailmerchants.com and see a compiled listing of most the shops and eateries in Gettysburg.

​Jennie Dillon is the Vice President of GARMA, owner of Artworks on York St. and the Office and Events Manager at Gettysburg Rental Center.

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