CUMBERLAND  — While Canal Place may have faced hard times in recent months as businesses abandon the shopping center for greener pastures, Doug Hutchins has shown confidence in the area by signing a five-year lease giving him ownership of the Cumberland Trail Connection.

“I’m really happy for the businesses that left — I feel they went to places where they feel they’ll do better and that’s a good thing,” said Hutchins, who signed the lease Jan. 1. “They chose to move on and that’s all, now there’s opportunities for other people who want to come down to Canal Place.”

The Shops at Canal Place has experienced a mass emigration recently, including the departure of Tree House Toys, Along the Tow Path and Awesome Gifts & Collectibles. The four businesses remaining are Cumberland Trail Connection, Arts at Canal Place, Crabby Pig and the seasonal outlet of Queen City Creamery.

Canal Place has been seeking the services of a Realtor to fill the vacancies, but no definitive plans have yet been made.

Hutchins said that he’s been working with the Cumberland Trail Connection since it opened in 2007. “I was the manager from its conception and I helped get the business set up,” said Hutchins. “I pretty much did everything from the very beginning. I managed the store and the staff and communicated with the owners about what was going on in the shop.”

Hutchins added that he worked out a deal with Eric Geatz and Jamie Speis, the previous owners of the shop, that would allow him to take over completely.

“We’re very excited,” said Renee Bone, executive director for Canal Place. “With the change in ownership, we extended the existing lease on the bike shop so we’re very happy about having them as part of the grounds.

“The Trail Connection is our largest space, and it’s a perfect fit for our shop and the fact that we’re mile zero for the start of the Allegheny Passage and the (C&O; Canal) towpath,” added Bone. “It's perfect for the overall vision of what we want Canal Place to be.”

Hutchins said that he plans to expand the business beyond bicycle and camping gear. “We are bringing in a fitness line such as fitness bikes and exercise equipment as well as doing in-home service,” said Hutchins. “I’m really excited as a business owner to be bringing in home-brew and wine-making supplies into the store.

“We’re going to expand camping and hiking as well,” said Hutchins.

“Canal Place is at a turning point in the fact that the (Canal Place Preservation & Development) Authority has been focused on constructing the grounds and facilities that are here,” said Bone. “But at this point our focus is on the softer side of Canal Place, where we’re focusing on the programming and ways to highlight the assets we have here and draw visitors.

“Partnering with Hutchins, he also has that similar vision for where we’re going and it fits very well with his business,” said Bone. “What we really enjoy is having a close partnership with our shops and having that same vision so we’re all moving in the same direction together to accomplish similar goals.”

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