thrice all american: Turning a Ghost Town Around, One Store at a Time

Turning a Ghost Town Around, One Store at a Time

· Posted Tuesday August 22, 2006 by jamie

Yesterday on the Tacomaness Forums, local blogger ensie brought up an idea that I think is worth repeating. Frustrated with the lack of still-open downtown eating options after the most recent Art Walk, she and her husband have come up with a way to communicate their frustrations to downtown businesses with limited hours:

[We] have decided to start carrying cards with us everywhere downtown. Everyplace that’s closed will get a note telling the business when we were there and why, and that we wanted to eat, shop, etc., but that they weren’t open during logical hours. Then they’ll get a follow-up phone call as well to find out if they have any plans to adjust hours in the future. Nothing harrassing, just inquiring and thanking them for being downtown. Just to show them that we WANT them to stay open. That we WANT to give them business. That we WANT their services.

I think this is a wonderful idea. If businesses, especially restaurants and cafes, know that people are looking for a place to eat after 9pm, or on a Sunday afternoon, maybe this can help to influence a slow change towards a downtown that isn’t effectively dead on most weekends. I’ll have to look into making my own cards…

Link to ensie’s forum post
Link to Tacomaness forums – these are great, use them!

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