Franchot Information

Franchot made stops at Irish Traditions in Easton and Cambridge International in Cambridge to present the businesses with the newly created "Better with Less" award an honor given to one business in each county that has achieved economic success while using fewer resources, identified new market opportunities in the midst of a struggling economy, used innovation to operate more efficiently, or strengthened local communities by providing vital services and opportunities for success. At his first stop at Irish Traditions, Franchot thanked owner Margaret McLemore for "not retreating in hard times," and, instead, moving forward and opening a second shop in Annapolis. The Irish specialty store which sells everything from Irish jewelry to apparel to china and crystal operated solely out of Easton for the past five years, before McLemore opened the Annapolis shop last fall. When accepting the award, McLemore said opening the shop in Annapolis has helped her company gain some efficiency of scale, and she hopes to continue to take advantage of opportunities for growth in the future. Maureen Scott-Taylor, director of economic development for the Town of Easton, said she's been a fan of McLemore's since the day they met, and is proud to be able to say an Easton business has opened in Annapolis. "I always say, 'If you want to learn a lesson in retail, go see Margaret. She knows her stuff,'" said Scott-Taylor, who nominated Irish Traditions for the award. Recognizing the risk McLemore takes when buying inventory and stocking the store's shelves, Talbot County Council President Dirck Bartlett said he admires the unique business, which betters the Easton experience for visitors and residents alike. "I love unique businesses like yours," Bartlett said to McLemore. "They make visits to the town special." Del. Jeannie Haddaway-Riccio, R-37-B-Talbot, thanked McLemore for making Irish Traditions a part of both the Easton and Annapolis communities, saying she now gets a taste of home when in Annapolis. "Thank you for being a part ...