Madison Paige Boutique Creates Momentum in Downtown Cumberland

Madison Paige Storefront — Madison Paige recently relocated from Frostburg to Cumberland, bringing with it a chic assortment of women's clothing.

Thanks to the entrepreneurial vision of small business owners like Abby Lindner, The Rosenbaum is revitalizing Downtown Cumberland in a powerful way. This Women’s History Month, Allegany County Economic and Community Development (ACECD) is spotlighting Madison Paige Boutique—a women-owned business contributing to that momentum.

As the owner of Frostburg-based Madison Paige Boutique, Lindner was not initially seeking a new commercial space, but after stepping into The Rosenbaum building, she saw an opportunity to grow her business and reach new customers.

“Once I set foot in the building,” Lindner recalls, “I knew this was where I was meant to be.”

Madison Paige Front Of Building — Abby Lindner, the proprietor of Madison Paige, stands in front of the newly renovated Rosenbaum building.

Built in the early 20th century, 118 Baltimore Street was once home to The Rosenbaum Brothers Department Store, a retail anchor in Downtown Cumberland. When renovations began on The Rosenbaum in 2022, ACECD played a pivotal role in the project, granting $250,000 through the Invest Allegany initiative to support the renovations.

Now home to a mix of retailers, restaurants, office spaces, luxury apartments, and lodging, The Rosenbaum is reestablishing its role as a commercial anchor, thanks to small businesses like Madison Paige Boutique. Located on the first floor of The Rosenbaum, Madison Paige sells women’s clothing and accessories appropriate for a range of ages and budgets.

“I want to help women find everyday looks that are approachable and affordable,” Lindner explains. "Women in our community shouldn’t have to shop online to access great clothing.”

Madison Paige Inventory — Madison Paige has a diverse inventory of clothes and accessories.

The transition from Frostburg to Cumberland came with initial concerns about customer retention. However, consistent marketing, an active social media presence, and special promotions have helped the business maintain and expand its customer base. Increased foot traffic to the boutique also supports neighboring businesses, contributing to a stronger downtown commercial corridor.

Lindner’s success reflects broader regional trends. Allegany County’s industry clusters, affordable cost of living, quality schools, and recreational amenities drive a gradual population shift to the region and create a favorable business environment for entrepreneurs like Lindner.

"People move to Allegany County because they want a quality lifestyle at a slower pace," she observes. The presence of thriving small businesses like Madison Paige Boutique reinforces the area’s appeal for both residents and entrepreneurs.

Madison Paige Abby Sitting — Besides continuing to offer women's apparel, Abby Lindner hopes to one day open a men's boutique in Cumberland as well.

As Lindner approaches her first anniversary in The Rosenbaum building this June, she is already envisioning the next step in her business journey. “I’d love to open a men’s boutique,” she shares. “It would be great to offer male shoppers the same level of quality and service we offer at Madison Paige.”

Madison Paige Boutique represents the kind of small business investment that is essential to the revitalization of Downtown Cumberland. As this year’s Women’s History Month spotlight, Lindner’s story reflects the entrepreneurial spirit and local impact of women-owned businesses in Allegany County.

Learn more about ACECD’s support of The Rosenbaum renovation project and other entrepreneurial efforts across the county by reading the blog here.

River Park at Canal Place Receives $6 Million in Direct Federal Funding

The project known as the River Park at Canal Place Trails and Trail Connections has been earmarked for $6 million through direct federal funding. The omnibus spending appropriations bill that funds the federal government for the next nine months was signed into law on December 30 and includes funding for over $35 million for projects across Western Maryland, which represents a large portion of the $200 million secured for the State of Maryland at large."I view the River Park at Canal Place project as another way to promote Allegany County's diverse outdoor recreational economy" said Canal Place Preservation & Development Authority Executive Director Deidra "Dee Dee" Ritchie. "The park will help foster community revitalization, enhance water quality, create jobs, support economic growth and diversification and offer new opportunities for people to connect with the natural environment."Ritchie also recognized the role that federal legislators representing the region played. She states "I cannot thank our Federal, District 6 Legislators (Senators Cardin and Van Hollen, and Congressman Trone) enough for securing this money for our area. The initial river park discussions began over 20 years ago. And now here we are."

Shopping Small Brings Big Returns in Allegany County

Studies have shown that for every dollar spent at a small business, 67 cents goes back to the local community. With the holidays quickly approaching, it is an opportune time to show support for small businesses in your area. Small Business Saturday, held on November 25, marks the unofficial start of the shopping season for many, and it provides considerable financial impacts on independent retailers and restaurants.“This is the time of year that really sets small businesses up to get through the rest of the winter,” explains Deidre Roberts, executive director of FrostburgFirst. “January through April can be a difficult time, especially with weather challenges, so our businesses look to the holiday season and Small Business Saturday in particular. That’s the day that will help to pay to keep their lights on throughout the winter. That’s going to help pay the salaries of their staff. That’s going to help keep their business afloat during the slow times. So, it’s a really, really important day for them. It’s one of the biggest days for them for the entire year.” 

FSU and UMCES: Partners in Sustainability Education

Frostburg State University (FSU) and the University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science (UMCES) have joined forces to address the pressing need for a skilled workforce in environmental sustainability. This collaboration has led to the creation of a new Master in Environmental Management (MEM) in Sustainability degree option. The significance of this initiative goes beyond academia, as it plays a vital role in Allegany County's growth within the environmental sustainability sector. The program was established in response to the increasing demand for professionals specializing in environmental sustainability. While there are many environmental scientists, there is a distinct need for individuals who can contribute to areas such as environmental policy, corporate environmental management, and nonprofit sustainability initiatives, according to Dr. Benjamin Norris, MEM in Sustainability Program Coordinator and FSU Professor.  “There is a shortage of people who want to work in environmental policy, or who want to work for corporations to manage and reduce its environmental footprint, or want to work for a nonprofit organization that wants to promote sustainability,” says Norris. “We also want to help increase the number of women and people of color going into these careers.” 

More About Community

River Park at Canal Place Receives $6 Million in Direct Federal Funding

Shopping Small Brings Big Returns in Allegany County

FSU and UMCES: Partners in Sustainability Education