Summertime is prime time for fun in the boroughs of Montgomery County, and the seasonal surge in activity is proof that trends in shopping behavior are coming full circle.

“A lot of the boroughs have experienced a resurgence,” Montgomery County Planner Dan Farina said in a NBC 10 report by Brian X. McCrone. “People have a desire for walkable spaces and authentic spaces that have history and character. And that’s what mixed-use spaces can provide.”

Ambler, Jenkintown, Pottstown and Hatboro seem particularly well-positioned to capitalize on the returning trend toward mixed-use downtowns — a perfect example is Ambler’s popular “gastro-destination” business corridor.

But where shopping behavior has picked up in the county, commercial construction has dropped off; it’s at its lowest level in seven years. That will have to change to sustain further growth of the trend.

Read more about Montgomery County’s borough resurgence on NBC 10 here.

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Top photo credit: Pottstown Food Festival Smith Plaza via photopin (license)