Comments on: Guilt on Main Street

By: Lonely Rivers

Lonely Rivers — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 02:05:53 +0000

As a visual shopper, a thrifter, reuser and an occasional brandnew gotta have it splurger, I have the greatest respect for the small business person who has delighted us over the past decade with cozy spots to tantalize our every want and need. They are the creatives who hang sparkly lights and pass out treats at Halloween, organize art walks and festivals, parades and theme days all to draw business and good will. I have watched these folks revitalize streets and neighborhoods, filling storefronts with things we didn’t know we couldn’t live with out and inspiring whole communities to be out and about. I hate seeing them give up – and I know that my small purchases can’t keep them afloat.

By: Jan Williams

Jan Williams — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 01:57:56 +0000

I live in a small town called Fallbrook, tucked in the corner of north San Diego County and not unlike your downtown Sebastopol. We have a Main Street also and you took the words right out of my mind. I work downtown and it seems like every week another store closes its doors. Tell Sophie we have a local shoe repair shop and so far he’s sticking in there and thriving.
Every Friday from 10 to 3 the village sqaure has a an open air market and it’s nice to see it full of both venders and customers.
In the summer, each month, 3 blocks close down to all vehicles and they have an event called Hot Summer Nights. All the stores and restaurants stay open. Live bands play. There are vintage cars and chili cook offs. It’s well received by all. To keep all our main streets alive, it requires a lot of pulling together with creative ideas, a lot of support and continued patronage.
A few months ago, Sweet Sicilian, a wonderful Italian bakery, just stuck their foot out and opened their doors on Main St. Wonderful fresh cannoli’s, foccacia, breads and rolls, and gelato! They are doing great! Cudos to their courage.

By: sophie jensen

sophie jensen — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 22:16:51 +0000

We know things change but we never expected such a dramatic illustration of it in our lifetime, did we? The closed Main Street stores are so sad but a couple of newly opened stores in Lake County seem even sadder because they seem destined not to last long. A community only needs a limited number of tchotchkes.
Shoe repair shops are said to have done very well during the Great Depression. Anybody seen one of those lately?

By: Joan Price

Joan Price — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 04:55:08 +0000

I live in the same wonderful town you do, Susan, and I share the guilt. I’m spending less, but I try to do most of my spending-less by not frequenting the mall in the larger town nearby, and spend a little more in my sweet home town. The other day, a friend and I were trying to decide between two Main St. restaurants. One was packed, the other almost empty. “Let’s eat in this one,” I said, heading for the almost empty one. “They need our business.” They made us a wonderful meal that wasn’t even on the menu, exactly to our specs of what we wanted to eat that evening. I’d hate to see them close because our purse strings are tightened too much to allow for an occasional meal out.

By: Pattie Heisser

Pattie Heisser — Sat, 14 Nov 2009 22:37:15 +0000

I SO hear you. I haven’t even stepped foot into our new kitchen store, my favorite clothing boutique, or any of my other favorite haunts be it retail or restaurant. And, my bookstore now is the library.

I could not bear to see my local, private grocery store go away…so in spite of our trimmed budget and the good deals elsewhere, I make them my home-town priority.

Thank you for bringing this topic close to home. I may be buying a LOT less this holiday season, but I think I’ll check out our local music store this time, instead of buying on-line.

Hmmm, I sure would like that CD you just bought