To step through the doors of the Greensborough Trading Company in Greensboro, Maryland is to take a trip back to a time when the general store was the center of a community. Doug and Barb Mutolo decided to keep the 'old' spelling of the town when they opened several years ago because that's what they wanted their store to be. They've more than achieved that goal. Go inside on a cold day and Barb may well invite you to pour a cup of coffee and join the conversation with neighbors. Browse through the eclectic selection of crafts and artwork by local artists, Maryland foods and wine, regional delicacies, and seasonal goods and supplies.

But the store is much more. It's the center of the social calendar for Greensboro and the surrounding area of Caroline County. Downstairs, neighbors check in with barb and Doug to pass along news -- the sort of small town updates that don't make the papers -- who's sick, who's got a new job, who's sold their place, who's retiring, who’s getting married, who's splitting up, who's kid got into Salisbury, who’s got into trouble. Upstairs there's a multi-purpose room built and maintained by local residents. On any given week, it's the location for a yoga class, stained glass workshop, wine tasting, dance lessons, and music concert.

Last fall, they Mutolo's purchased the old hotel in town. Worried that the empty structure would decay past the point of repair and convinced that an upscale inn is needed to bring visitors to the area and help anchor the business district, they renovated and reopened the Riverside Country Inn. As with the 'upstairs' at the Trading Company, much of the work was done by their customers, friends, and townspeople. Keeping with the tradition of opening their businesses to the community, the Inn is home to a monthly traditional Irish Music Session. January 29 is the first concert. It will be the 4th Friday of every month thereafter. It starts at 7 p.m. and lasts as long as people want to listen and dance. (BYOG-- Bring your own Guinness)

Greensborough Trading Company is open Tues-Wed-Thurs 10-6, Fri 10-8, Sat 10-5. It's closed Sun-Mon. 410-482-2200. www.greensboroughtradingcompany.com