Quick recovery from a snowstorm requires a three way partnership. That partnership would be among the citizens, the Police Department, and the Department of Public Works. If everyone does their part the snow is quickly removed and we can all get on with our lives. At some point in time the City of Blue Island made plans for snow storms and snow removal. Many streets are marked with blue and white Snow Route signs. The signs warn that there is no parking after a snowfall of 2 inches or more until the snow is removed, and that violators will be towed.
The snowstorm that hit us on Thursday, December 18th was not a surprise. The weathermen had been forecasting it for two days, and originally it was predicted to begin about 2:00 p.m. on the 17th. I know that we all engage in wishful thinking. We hope that a storm will bypass us and we will not have to deal with it. However, on the morning of the 18th it was obvious that we had taken a direct hit. There was 4 to 6 inches of snow, encased in ice. This is when the snowstorm partnership broke down.
The general population made little attempt to move their cars or avoid parking on the snow routes. As of this writing (four days later) there are still cars plowed into place on residential snow routes around the city. People were parked up and down Western Avenue as if it were any other day. In front of our building there were at least two vehicles which were parked 5 feet from the curb because they either couldn’t see the curb or couldn’t get any closer. This put them partially in a traffic lane, which in and of itself would be deserving of a ticket. The vehicles remained there all day. This scenario was repeated up and down Western.
I can already hear business owners protesting that their customers have to park somewhere. How much better would it have been if those customers had waited for an hour or two until the streets were cleared? Many businesses still have lumpy snow in the street in front of their buildings. We have a 2 foot ice berm in the middle of the parking spots in front of our business. This is going to make it difficult and dangerous to park, not just for a day, but for several days to come. As for cars that remained parked on Western all day, I have to assume that these were business owners or employees. We should know better.
The Department of Public Works did what they could. The plows were out all day on the snow routes, plowing and spreading salt. But they can’t plow where cars are parked. I didn’t hear of one person being ticketed, much less being towed away.
As I write this it is 3 degrees below zero and the wind is howling. As a customer, I would not want to brave these temperatures just to be greeted with lumpy and icy parking spots. The partnership broke down, and the business district and sales tax revenue will pay the price until the next warm spell, which will be after Christmas at the earliest. Too late for any last minute Christmas shoppers. If it snows again on top this whole mess, things will just get worse. What were we thinking?
Spending my frozen $5.00 on Western.
Candace Carr
CARR home-garden-holiday
Thursday, January 8, 2009
Sunday, December 21, 2008
And the good news is...
I have to say that the city is currently doing what it can to help the remaining businesses in Blue Island. They have offered to run free commercials on the city’s cable station WDDE, and for a nominal fee you can be interviewed by Joe Gatrell and Lefty. This is the type of thing that can make a huge difference for any business. Believe it or not, after having our business in Blue Island for nearly eleven years, there are still residents who have no idea that we exist. They don’t come this way, they haven’t really noticed, or they don’t look at newspaper ads.
The Christmas parade was a huge success, thanks to Rita Pacyga, and unlike last year, the weather did not interfere. My apologies to everyone who worked on all the fabulous floats, but I thought that the Mexican horsemen, with their horses decked out in blankets of lights, stole the show. It was an eerie and wonderful sight to see lights prancing down the street in the darkness.
In a recent zoning meeting, the zoning committee gave a beleaguered Blue Island businessman the nod to have his building rezoned. As I mentioned in my previous article, commercial property tax has skyrocketed, forcing many small businesses to close their doors. A Blue Island resident, who I had not met before, addressed the committee, and eloquently explained that we cannot afford to lose another business. This move by the zoning committee may well save one of our most valuable assets uptown.
The last issue of the Forum reported that at the request of Mayor Peloquin, Tom Nagle of Robinson Engineering put together a package of infrastructure projects worth $38,000,000.00 to be presented to President Bush and President Elect Obama. Maybe the ushering in of the new administration will bring improvements to our worn out streets.
So here I am, ending the year feeling hopeful once again. Both personally and business wise I know we have a lot to be thankful for. Perhaps people will begin to understand that we’re all in this together. Like any other city, Blue Island will rise or fall according to the effort put forth by its citizens.
Spending my $5.00 and wishing you all a blessed holiday!
Candace Carr
CARR home-garden-holiday
The Christmas parade was a huge success, thanks to Rita Pacyga, and unlike last year, the weather did not interfere. My apologies to everyone who worked on all the fabulous floats, but I thought that the Mexican horsemen, with their horses decked out in blankets of lights, stole the show. It was an eerie and wonderful sight to see lights prancing down the street in the darkness.
In a recent zoning meeting, the zoning committee gave a beleaguered Blue Island businessman the nod to have his building rezoned. As I mentioned in my previous article, commercial property tax has skyrocketed, forcing many small businesses to close their doors. A Blue Island resident, who I had not met before, addressed the committee, and eloquently explained that we cannot afford to lose another business. This move by the zoning committee may well save one of our most valuable assets uptown.
The last issue of the Forum reported that at the request of Mayor Peloquin, Tom Nagle of Robinson Engineering put together a package of infrastructure projects worth $38,000,000.00 to be presented to President Bush and President Elect Obama. Maybe the ushering in of the new administration will bring improvements to our worn out streets.
So here I am, ending the year feeling hopeful once again. Both personally and business wise I know we have a lot to be thankful for. Perhaps people will begin to understand that we’re all in this together. Like any other city, Blue Island will rise or fall according to the effort put forth by its citizens.
Spending my $5.00 and wishing you all a blessed holiday!
Candace Carr
CARR home-garden-holiday
Sunday, November 30, 2008
The Perfect Storm
It seems as if small business in Blue Island has been hit with the perfect storm. In the spring, people worried about whether or not the hospital would close, and whether or not they would still have jobs. People were afraid to spend. This summer, people suffered with outrageous gas prices. Budgets were sliced and diced while people tried to make ends meet. Then came the stock market collapse. People who had previously felt secure were suddenly alarmed as they surveyed their retirement plans. Spending was
re-evaluated. And as the presidential election approached, people held their financial breath. Anyone in retail knows that the months preceding a presidential are always slow.
All you need to do to see the effects of all this is look at Western Avenue. It is no secret anymore that Vermont Antiques is closing. Divas & Them is gone. One of our dry cleaners is gone. I have heard of three long standing Blue Island businesses that are relocating. They are not closing, but they are moving out of our city to greener pastures. Once all these buildings are empty, I fear that all the kings’ horses and all the kings’ men are going to have a heck of a time trying to put Blue Island back together again.
The closing and moving of various businesses can be blamed on many factors. Commercial property taxes have gone up, forcing landlords to raise rents beyond what the renters can afford. Some businesses have run their popular course, just as Ty Beanie Babies came and went. Some are just obsolete for today’s lifestyles. However, many should have had a fighting chance, but for the economic storm that has beleaguered our city during the last eight months.
There are always plans in the works, but most citizens have no idea what they are and how they are progressing. How many of us volunteered time to help develop the Blue Island Plan, and now, how many of us have heard anything about it since those wonderful, hopeful evenings when we dreamt aloud about what our city could be? Time and time again, a better city has been dangled in front of us, only to have the plan eventually put on the shelf. By the time any of these plans is truly implemented, there will be no business left to save.
I was touched when people stopped by and told me that they noticed I had not written a column lately. To tell the truth, I have been alternately disillusioned, angered, and disappointed in the things I see happening and not happening around our city. It is difficult to write a hopeful, upbeat, cheerleading-type column when it seems that no one has the ability or the interest to follow through even on what should be the simplest of things.
You still have time to join me, somewhat disheartened, spending my $5.00 a day on Western.
Candace Carr
CARR home-garden-holiday
re-evaluated. And as the presidential election approached, people held their financial breath. Anyone in retail knows that the months preceding a presidential are always slow.
All you need to do to see the effects of all this is look at Western Avenue. It is no secret anymore that Vermont Antiques is closing. Divas & Them is gone. One of our dry cleaners is gone. I have heard of three long standing Blue Island businesses that are relocating. They are not closing, but they are moving out of our city to greener pastures. Once all these buildings are empty, I fear that all the kings’ horses and all the kings’ men are going to have a heck of a time trying to put Blue Island back together again.
The closing and moving of various businesses can be blamed on many factors. Commercial property taxes have gone up, forcing landlords to raise rents beyond what the renters can afford. Some businesses have run their popular course, just as Ty Beanie Babies came and went. Some are just obsolete for today’s lifestyles. However, many should have had a fighting chance, but for the economic storm that has beleaguered our city during the last eight months.
There are always plans in the works, but most citizens have no idea what they are and how they are progressing. How many of us volunteered time to help develop the Blue Island Plan, and now, how many of us have heard anything about it since those wonderful, hopeful evenings when we dreamt aloud about what our city could be? Time and time again, a better city has been dangled in front of us, only to have the plan eventually put on the shelf. By the time any of these plans is truly implemented, there will be no business left to save.
I was touched when people stopped by and told me that they noticed I had not written a column lately. To tell the truth, I have been alternately disillusioned, angered, and disappointed in the things I see happening and not happening around our city. It is difficult to write a hopeful, upbeat, cheerleading-type column when it seems that no one has the ability or the interest to follow through even on what should be the simplest of things.
You still have time to join me, somewhat disheartened, spending my $5.00 a day on Western.
Candace Carr
CARR home-garden-holiday
Saturday, October 11, 2008
Two Voices in the Wilderness
A customer stopped in the other day and brought me a column published in The Regional News, a newspaper published in Palos and Orland. The column was titled: Whither all our local mom-and-pop stores? and it was written by Amy Wiest, president of Wildflowers Inc. in Palos Heights. I was thrilled to see it! I am not a voice in the wilderness!
I called Amy immediately, she gave me permission to quote her in my article, and now I’m so excited, I don’t know where to begin. Maybe I should start with her very first sentence: “I am surprised and saddened every time I see another independent business close its doors.” How many times have I thought that, said that, and written about it? “The recent closure of longtime local businesses in Palos Heights such as Rini’s, Flowers of Palos, and Quiznos have left me wondering what responsibility my shopping choices played in their failure.” By this time I was doing handsprings.
I have recently heard about the imminent closing of yet another business in Blue Island, and also was surprised to see that An Seanachai on 127th had closed and the building is for sale. To quote Amy one more time: “It is hypocritical for us to be sad when another little neighborhood gem disappears or gossip about their downfall while on our way to the giant retailers.” Amen, sister! Or to paraphrase Smokey the Bear “Only you can prevent the collapse of your downtown.”
Amy even confronted head-on an issue that has bothered me for a long time, one that I have been too timid to confront, and so now I will hide behind her words: “Even if you don’t work for a small business, if we all go away, where will the community groups go for their donations? Who will sell the tickets for Woman’s Club functions; make donations for the PFA fundraisers; place ads in your group’s ad books; hang your event signage; donate silent auction items and sponsor the civic events? If you think the big retail chains will, you are very wrong.”
In the last month I have received several requests for donations, ads, and auction items from some very upstanding and outstanding community groups. Requests will only increase as the holidays draw near. When I look at the signatures at the bottoms of the letters, I don’t recognize the names. I should know them. If these people have the chutzpah to ask me for money, I would think they would have the common sense to at least make a token purchase at my business and introduce themselves. Imagine the talk around Blue Island if I openly refused to put up signs for Spaghetti Dinners, Vegas Nights, Boy Scout Troops, etc. Worse yet, imagine the outcry if I demanded $5.00 a piece to put up the signs. Community support is a two way street.
Amy asked the question: “When we choose to shop in the big chain stores, can we follow the money trail back into our community?” Let me tell you, I was recently at Target in Crestwood. At the cash register there is a list of the schools they donate to. Guess what? There is not one Blue Island school on that list. Not one.
So once again I ask every man, woman, and child to spend their $5.00 a day in Blue Island. If you are a current customer of mine, let me know what civic groups you belong to, or which local charities you would like us to support, and when those donation request letters come in, I guarantee you that checks will go out.
Candace Carr
CARR home-garden-holiday
I called Amy immediately, she gave me permission to quote her in my article, and now I’m so excited, I don’t know where to begin. Maybe I should start with her very first sentence: “I am surprised and saddened every time I see another independent business close its doors.” How many times have I thought that, said that, and written about it? “The recent closure of longtime local businesses in Palos Heights such as Rini’s, Flowers of Palos, and Quiznos have left me wondering what responsibility my shopping choices played in their failure.” By this time I was doing handsprings.
I have recently heard about the imminent closing of yet another business in Blue Island, and also was surprised to see that An Seanachai on 127th had closed and the building is for sale. To quote Amy one more time: “It is hypocritical for us to be sad when another little neighborhood gem disappears or gossip about their downfall while on our way to the giant retailers.” Amen, sister! Or to paraphrase Smokey the Bear “Only you can prevent the collapse of your downtown.”
Amy even confronted head-on an issue that has bothered me for a long time, one that I have been too timid to confront, and so now I will hide behind her words: “Even if you don’t work for a small business, if we all go away, where will the community groups go for their donations? Who will sell the tickets for Woman’s Club functions; make donations for the PFA fundraisers; place ads in your group’s ad books; hang your event signage; donate silent auction items and sponsor the civic events? If you think the big retail chains will, you are very wrong.”
In the last month I have received several requests for donations, ads, and auction items from some very upstanding and outstanding community groups. Requests will only increase as the holidays draw near. When I look at the signatures at the bottoms of the letters, I don’t recognize the names. I should know them. If these people have the chutzpah to ask me for money, I would think they would have the common sense to at least make a token purchase at my business and introduce themselves. Imagine the talk around Blue Island if I openly refused to put up signs for Spaghetti Dinners, Vegas Nights, Boy Scout Troops, etc. Worse yet, imagine the outcry if I demanded $5.00 a piece to put up the signs. Community support is a two way street.
Amy asked the question: “When we choose to shop in the big chain stores, can we follow the money trail back into our community?” Let me tell you, I was recently at Target in Crestwood. At the cash register there is a list of the schools they donate to. Guess what? There is not one Blue Island school on that list. Not one.
So once again I ask every man, woman, and child to spend their $5.00 a day in Blue Island. If you are a current customer of mine, let me know what civic groups you belong to, or which local charities you would like us to support, and when those donation request letters come in, I guarantee you that checks will go out.
Candace Carr
CARR home-garden-holiday
Monday, September 22, 2008
What I've learned
It’s been an interesting month, trying to spend all our money in Blue Island. It’s not often easy and sometimes it’s impossible, so let me start with our failures. My sister invited us over one night (she doesn’t live in Blue Island) and we ended up ordering pizza $22.00. There was an errand with our grandson and we bought ice cream on the way back $5.00. Now here’s the part that disturbs me. We needed a video game our grandson wanted for his birthday and I called around. No one had it, and even a national chain electronics company right here in Blue Island that had it on their website did not offer to order it for us. Chalk up $29.35 for Amazon.com. The end of the month got a little sketchy as we were called out of town for a funeral for two days. So Indiana got two tanks of gas out of us, and uncounted stops for food.
On the positive side, I found out that the Family Dollar Store on Vermont sells Hanes-Her-Way, Rodarte’s does excellent jewelry repair, and we had a great experience at Spice of Life on Western. I must say that Spice of Life surprised me. I had heard a lot of terrible things about them when they first opened. Steve needed a pair gym shoes, and other than George Allen Shoes, there’s not a shoe store in Blue Island, until now that is.
Early on a Sunday morning, I was driving past Spice of Life and decided to stop and peek in their windows. Much to my surprise it is no longer a hodge-podge of general merchandise. One side is clothes for the younger crowd, and the other side has SHOES! So later that day, we returned, and Steve bought his gym shoes. The owners were quite friendly and helpful, and they assured me that soon they would have stylish clothes for the (ahem) older working woman.
So here are the big winners for August. Jewel $325.00 Thornton’s $189.00 Tenochtitlán $89.00 Stefanelli’s $89.00 Korbakes $62.00 Spice of Life $55.00. Once again most of our money was spent on food, gas, and alcohol, and I imagine that is true for most people. We spent a total of $1042.00 in Blue Island.
Let me share with you some of the great finds: Shoes at Spice of Life. The best tilapia in town at Joe’s Fruit Market (he also has the best peaches and tomatoes). For avocados I have to recommend Imelda’s. They always have perfectly ripe ones right by the checkout. The best shrimp is at El Ranchito, and let me mention again the jewelry repair at Rodarte’s.
Candace Carr
CARR home-garden-holiday
On the positive side, I found out that the Family Dollar Store on Vermont sells Hanes-Her-Way, Rodarte’s does excellent jewelry repair, and we had a great experience at Spice of Life on Western. I must say that Spice of Life surprised me. I had heard a lot of terrible things about them when they first opened. Steve needed a pair gym shoes, and other than George Allen Shoes, there’s not a shoe store in Blue Island, until now that is.
Early on a Sunday morning, I was driving past Spice of Life and decided to stop and peek in their windows. Much to my surprise it is no longer a hodge-podge of general merchandise. One side is clothes for the younger crowd, and the other side has SHOES! So later that day, we returned, and Steve bought his gym shoes. The owners were quite friendly and helpful, and they assured me that soon they would have stylish clothes for the (ahem) older working woman.
So here are the big winners for August. Jewel $325.00 Thornton’s $189.00 Tenochtitlán $89.00 Stefanelli’s $89.00 Korbakes $62.00 Spice of Life $55.00. Once again most of our money was spent on food, gas, and alcohol, and I imagine that is true for most people. We spent a total of $1042.00 in Blue Island.
Let me share with you some of the great finds: Shoes at Spice of Life. The best tilapia in town at Joe’s Fruit Market (he also has the best peaches and tomatoes). For avocados I have to recommend Imelda’s. They always have perfectly ripe ones right by the checkout. The best shrimp is at El Ranchito, and let me mention again the jewelry repair at Rodarte’s.
Candace Carr
CARR home-garden-holiday
Sunday, September 7, 2008
Aren't we worth it?
A customer came in the other day, looking for a gift for a bridal shower. She told me that on the invitation to the shower it said that the bride was registered at Target and Kohl’s, but she wanted to buy “something nice.” This got me thinking. Maybe I’m just from another generation, but remember when we use to register for fine china and real silverware? My family was not wealthy, and there were eight children, but we all expected, or at least hoped for, a better life. As we married, we registered for quality items that would last us our lifetime, not melamine dishes and stainless steel utensils. Each aunt or grandparent or friend would buy one or two place settings, and in the end our homes would be stocked with a few of the finer things of life.
When did we, as a country, start to sell ourselves short? At what point did we decide that sub par mass-produced goods made of plastic were good enough? We, as a country, and as individuals we are still one of the most well to do people on earth. Aren’t we worth it? Aren’t you worth it? Go buy yourself “something nice.”
Now, let’s discuss the Spend All Your Money in Blue Island Project. As of this writing, my husband and I have only been working on this for a week. I have learned a few amazing things. 1) We spend very little money anywhere. This worries me, because it is probably true for most Blue Islanders. No wonder so many places close up. 2) Everything we’ve spent so far falls into one of four categories: food, gasoline, videos, and alcohol. Again, no wonder so many places close up.
Here’s the score so far. Thornton’s $57.00, Jewel $43.00, Mario’s Tacos $27.00, Korbakes $25.00, Stefanelli’s $23.25, Joe’s Fruit Market $15.50, DeMar’s $8.00, Dunkin’ Donuts $7.75, Harry’s Long Bar $6.00, Subway $5.50, Blue Island Video $5.00, and El Ranchito $3.00. A total of $226.00.
We did run into a two small dilemmas. We had planned a day trip before we started this, and didn’t want to cancel it, so we spent $29.00 in another town for lunch; and one day Steve found himself outside the city limits by a good 45 minutes, was starving, and had to stay where he was. He spent $7.00 at Arby’s. A lack of planning on our part.
We haven’t needed to spend much so far, but as they say in the casino commercials “Things are about to get interesting.” Necessary items are beginning to appear on the horizon that we will need to purchase very soon, and we’ll have to find places to buy them.
Check us out next issue and see how we’ve done. Meanwhile, let me ask you this: Have you spent your $5.00 in Blue Island today?
Candace Carr
CARR home-garden-holiday
When did we, as a country, start to sell ourselves short? At what point did we decide that sub par mass-produced goods made of plastic were good enough? We, as a country, and as individuals we are still one of the most well to do people on earth. Aren’t we worth it? Aren’t you worth it? Go buy yourself “something nice.”
Now, let’s discuss the Spend All Your Money in Blue Island Project. As of this writing, my husband and I have only been working on this for a week. I have learned a few amazing things. 1) We spend very little money anywhere. This worries me, because it is probably true for most Blue Islanders. No wonder so many places close up. 2) Everything we’ve spent so far falls into one of four categories: food, gasoline, videos, and alcohol. Again, no wonder so many places close up.
Here’s the score so far. Thornton’s $57.00, Jewel $43.00, Mario’s Tacos $27.00, Korbakes $25.00, Stefanelli’s $23.25, Joe’s Fruit Market $15.50, DeMar’s $8.00, Dunkin’ Donuts $7.75, Harry’s Long Bar $6.00, Subway $5.50, Blue Island Video $5.00, and El Ranchito $3.00. A total of $226.00.
We did run into a two small dilemmas. We had planned a day trip before we started this, and didn’t want to cancel it, so we spent $29.00 in another town for lunch; and one day Steve found himself outside the city limits by a good 45 minutes, was starving, and had to stay where he was. He spent $7.00 at Arby’s. A lack of planning on our part.
We haven’t needed to spend much so far, but as they say in the casino commercials “Things are about to get interesting.” Necessary items are beginning to appear on the horizon that we will need to purchase very soon, and we’ll have to find places to buy them.
Check us out next issue and see how we’ve done. Meanwhile, let me ask you this: Have you spent your $5.00 in Blue Island today?
Candace Carr
CARR home-garden-holiday
Thursday, August 21, 2008
Walk down Western!
First, I would like to say thank you to the people who wrote in and were published in the July 16th issue of the FORUM in response to the letter from Concerned American Citizen published in the June 18th issue. They addressed the issue of anti-Hispanic sentiment in a way that I could not.
Second, I would like to address Concerned American Citizen regarding their assertion that other than Walgreens, Jewel, Stefanelli’s, or Iverson’s everything else is geared toward the Hispanic population. I say, take a walk down Western Avenue! Calumet Paint & Hardware, Beverly Blind, Flowers by Bartle, Flowers by Cathe, Ridge Auto, Zak’s High Tec Auto Rebuilders, Islands Café, T&G Gyros, Richie’s Too, DeMar’s, White Castle, Pizza Hut, Popeye’s Chicken, Beggar’s Pizza, Michael’s Hair Care, Danny’s Hair Salon, Three Sisters Antiques, Vermont Antiques, Lillian’s Antiques, Blue Island Antiques, and of course, my own store, CARR home-garden-holiday, are all the types of businesses that you are looking for. I’m sure there are several businesses I left out, and I apologize in advance for that. Look for a business that will cater your needs and you will find it.
I also agree with the writer who encouraged Concerned American Citizen to open their own business, whatever it may be. If you want the City to change, then you must be the change you wish to see. It is a tough road in this city to open a business and make it successful. The landscape of retail is changing rapidly. Bookstores and record shops are all but obsolete. The big box mentality is pervasive and seems to have affected shoppers everywhere. Many believe the statement that if you want to go shopping, you have to go to Crestwood, and that belief is hurting the businesses that choose to remain here. I dare say that many people have not bothered to come uptown in a long time. We still get Blue Island residents who say that they didn’t know we are here.
It is only individual citizens that can make the difference. If each of us made the effort to spend our money in Blue Island, the face of the city would change. If people opened the businesses they would like to see here, the city would change.
In the interests of proving that you can get what you need here in Blue Island, my husband and I have committed ourselves to spending ALL our money here for the entire month of August. We will keep track of what we spend and where and I’ll include an update of our success or failure in my next column.
Look for me walking down Western, with a fiver in my hand.
Candace Carr
CARR home-garden-holiday
Second, I would like to address Concerned American Citizen regarding their assertion that other than Walgreens, Jewel, Stefanelli’s, or Iverson’s everything else is geared toward the Hispanic population. I say, take a walk down Western Avenue! Calumet Paint & Hardware, Beverly Blind, Flowers by Bartle, Flowers by Cathe, Ridge Auto, Zak’s High Tec Auto Rebuilders, Islands Café, T&G Gyros, Richie’s Too, DeMar’s, White Castle, Pizza Hut, Popeye’s Chicken, Beggar’s Pizza, Michael’s Hair Care, Danny’s Hair Salon, Three Sisters Antiques, Vermont Antiques, Lillian’s Antiques, Blue Island Antiques, and of course, my own store, CARR home-garden-holiday, are all the types of businesses that you are looking for. I’m sure there are several businesses I left out, and I apologize in advance for that. Look for a business that will cater your needs and you will find it.
I also agree with the writer who encouraged Concerned American Citizen to open their own business, whatever it may be. If you want the City to change, then you must be the change you wish to see. It is a tough road in this city to open a business and make it successful. The landscape of retail is changing rapidly. Bookstores and record shops are all but obsolete. The big box mentality is pervasive and seems to have affected shoppers everywhere. Many believe the statement that if you want to go shopping, you have to go to Crestwood, and that belief is hurting the businesses that choose to remain here. I dare say that many people have not bothered to come uptown in a long time. We still get Blue Island residents who say that they didn’t know we are here.
It is only individual citizens that can make the difference. If each of us made the effort to spend our money in Blue Island, the face of the city would change. If people opened the businesses they would like to see here, the city would change.
In the interests of proving that you can get what you need here in Blue Island, my husband and I have committed ourselves to spending ALL our money here for the entire month of August. We will keep track of what we spend and where and I’ll include an update of our success or failure in my next column.
Look for me walking down Western, with a fiver in my hand.
Candace Carr
CARR home-garden-holiday
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Posts
