Today is a good day to discuss something we think is a missing link in our downtown revitalization — a boutique hotel!

We have discussed retail, restaurants and services and all that they do, but we need an anchor — a boutique hotel! This facility would bring needed dollars and help us continue to have vibrancy and stability in our central business district. How?

At one time in the southern United States, almost every small town had a hotel in the downtown area.

This is not a Hilton, Marriott or any other major chain hotel, but rather a locally owned downtown hotel. It was a place people could stay and be among the excitement of a town’s downtown business district.

These small hotels brought jobs and needed customers to a central business district. Many historic towns the size of Washington are converting their old historic buildings into small-size hotels, and none have the benefit of being located next to the Pamlico River. This is a dynamic that we need to bring to Washington, and it would be a viable option not only as a “welcome mat” for our city, but also to help bring a continued vibrancy to our downtown. Also, taking a deteriorating asset and turning it into a beautiful and functioning part of our community would be a source of community pride and a rallying point for all businesses in the central business district.

A boutique hotel is a hotel that has less than 100 rooms, and because of its size, can offer amenities larger hotels cannot. Travelers are looking to escape their hectic and busy lives, and most will seek out interesting places to go where they can vacation at a slower pace, enjoy more environmental travel opportunities, historical sites and outdoor activities. Visitors’ lodging is part of a unique experience. It’s a place that tells a story and a place visitors can quickly feel comfortable and part of the environment. Most small towns have a story, and a boutique hotel can tell that story.

This has been a topic that has been discussed for years, and it seems as though talks have stalled each time. There have been feasibility studies performed but always from outside organizations that really do not know Washington. We cannot let these discussions stall, or we will not be considered progressive in our approach to bringing businesses to our town. We owe it to our local businesses and especially to our city to promote this as much as possible and make this a reality! This would bring dollars to our tax revenue and more excitement to our historic downtown Washington.

In closing, let me remind everyone that we have as many good retailers and restaurants as anyone!

Please give them the first chance while shopping for Christmas! Come enjoy Santa during this holiday period and always shop, dine and play in Washington, and if you have time, you can always take a walk with the H-Rob!

Harold Robinson is the executive director of the Washington Harbor District Alliance.