Plummer The Possibilities for Sharon Springs are Endless

SHARON SPRINGS - "The possibilities for Sharon Springs are endless." That is what Doug Plummer, who was elected Mayor of Sharon Springs earlier this year, told the Schoharie News* in a recent two-hour sit down that covered the growth and expectations of the booming community, which have been aided by Mr. Plummer's proactive and positive attitudes.

Originally from Pennsylvania, Mr. Plummer moved to New York City and performed in the local theatre until he finally settled in Sharon Springs in 1990, where he opened the Rockville Café. He would go on to, with the assistance of his now-husband Garth Roberts, to purchase the historic American Hotel in 1996 and after years of hard work opened it up in 2001.

Mr. Plummer (right) and his husband dressed in Victorian style clothing during Sharon Springs recent Holiday Celebration.

When asked what his goals for moving Sharon Springs forward were, Mr. Plummer was anything but content with where the historic Village of 500+ citizens currently stands. Among his ideas is to bring in live theatre and arts into Klinkhart Hall (an old movie theatre), a community park, solar power to municipal buildings and hopefully within the next month, revitalization of the old bath houses.  

Presently the Village of Sharon Springs is home to many fine shops and restaurants, including the Black Cat Café and Bakery, Sharon Springs Natural Soap Company, Cobbler and Company and  the Beekman Mercantile 1802, all located on beautiful Main Street. The municipality also hosted a massive harvest festival in late September that, according to police estimates, over 10,000 people from across the country attended.

Between the Villages of Sharon Springs and Middleburgh, there is a growing sentiment of not only optimism but noticeable change within these communities, that is not only responsible for Schoharie County's declining unemployment rate and recent explosion in local small businesses, but is also bringing hope to an area that has long suffered from economic impotence and a sense of defeatism.

For more information on upcoming events and small businesses in Sharon Springs, please visit the Enjoy Sharon Springs website that has a complete listing of local merchants, restaurants, festivals and more.

* This feature article was written and edited by Timothy Knight, with notes being provided from her recent sit down with Mr. Plummer by Louise Knight.