Maryland Planning Blog

National Poll: Berlin’s Cool

Townspeople take pride in their new moniker

The town of Berlin last week won Budget Travel’s America’s Coolest Small Town contest. The distinction comes from an online poll that gave Berlin most votes for coolness.

Cool, indeed. The charming town on Maryland’s Eastern Shore has quaint streets lined by Victorian-era  homes and funky businesses, a walkable environment and lots of charm.The town’s appeal did not occur by accident. With a population of just 4,500, it would be easy for Berlin to be overshadowed by its bustling neighbor on the sea, Ocean City. Yet, Berlin has re-invented itself. Forward-thinking town leaders played on its historic charm, developed new zoning to bolster local businesses, participated in state programs that helped elevate sidewalk appeal and created a slew of festivals and events that brings thousands of visitors to the town.

Without a doubt, Berlin is on the map.

Downtown Berlin

The visual appeal and economic success of historic downtown Berlin represents more than two decades of effort from local business owners, residents and elected officials. Thanks to zoning allowing dwellings above first-floor commercial uses, façade renovations and an emphasis on pedestrians, the Berlin central business district has prospered during an era of enclosed malls and big-box shopping centers.

Town officials invigorated Berlin’s downtown by encouraging property owners to establish businesses combined with livable spaces. Many business owners capitalized on the tax incentives afforded through a state Arts and Entertainment District designation, creating galleries, shops and studios. Others took advantage of historic designations to protect their structures and retain businesses and residences within the downtown.

The crowd for the Fiddler’s Convention held in Berlin

State programs have contributed to the town’s success. In addition to the A & E District program, Berlin is a designated Main Street Maryland community, providing it state resources to strengthen and revitalize its business district. A façade improvement initiative funded by the Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development’s Community Legacy program, helped boost sidewalk appeal.

Also with help from DHCD’s Community Legacy Grant Program, town leaders converted three downtown warehouses into office/retail, with a fourth queued up for the same. The state program also helped fund property acquisition resulting in Berlin’s Visitors Center, Chamber of Commerce office and Main Street Program office. This year’s grant will help fund a new, energy-efficient roof for the Visitors Center.

Events run all year, from the Fiddlers Convention to Victorian Christmas to New Year’s fireworks. A perennial favorite is the town’s bathtub races, where people race through the town in tubs on wheels (helmets required) vying for a trophy and a free ad on the town’s Chamber of Commerce website.

Berlin’s location in Worcester County, which embraces farming with some of Maryland’s most effective protective policies, gives it access to a bounty of farm goods that boosts the draw of its weekly farmers market. Moreover, Berlin is the first

Governor Martin O’Malley at the opening of Burley Oak Brewing Co. in Berlin

Worcester County town with a full-production brewery. Burley Oak, which opened in 2011, uses locally grown hops and other ingredients.  (The brewery’s name is a shortened version of a local tavern, “Burleigh Inn” that itself came from the historic Burley Plantation.) The Burley Oak Brewing Company was awarded $10,000 from Berlin’s façade Program.

Berlin, the setting for popular films like Tuck Everlasting and The Runaway Bride, is now officially cool.