When Brandon’s new town plan was drafted several years ago, walkability was one of the major assets that residents cited. Historic development of Brandon has kept the original village compact, and new housing on Mt. Pleasant and along the spoke streets radiating out from downtown also tend to be small and close together. The downtown shopping area has all the necessities within walking distance, including a supermarket, pharmacy, hardware store, library, three banks, a post office, and pizza and Chinese take-out restaurants.