2008 Woodie Awards
Mom and Pop stores, memory of the Past
By: Carrie Parker
Issue date: 1/31/07 Section: Entertainment & Features
- Page 1 of 1
Carrie Parker
Staff Writer
With locally owned businesses closing in increasing numbers in downtown Greenville, people are wondering whether it would be better for the city to bring in larger chains or keep the "mom-and-pop" type stores.
Everyone knows the drill. When Friday and Saturday nights roll around, a majority of students head for downtown Greenville. Typically they go late at night, after most of the stores have closed and only coffee shops and restaurants remain open for business. A college student is not usually seen walking downtown during the day. Their main pull towards the area is because of Coffee Underground, Port City Java, Falls Park and various restaurants. They typically do not spend their money in small shops or venues, even if they are open for business.
Stores such as Earshot Music and Ocha Tea Bar are specifically designed to cater to the needs of younger generations but do not get enough of this business to keep their stores open and running. Either they are closing for good or have felt the need to relocate in hopes of getting more business elsewhere.
Some have suggested that bringing in more corporate businesses would help revive students' interest in the area. Bringing in stores like Abercrombie, Bath & Body Works and Hot Topic would certainly appeal to younger audiences and create a more mall-like atmosphere. However, this could also significantly affect the small, locally owned shops as well.
Many local shop owners have nightmares about giant corporations storming through the city bringing with them lower prices and more mainstream goods while stomping the small, helpless businesses into the ground.
"Small town people like small town businesses," said Brice Hedgecock, junior business administration. "Big business chains can really hurt small businesses in cities today. Some people may like a cheaper price, but others enjoy a small town family feel when you walk in and people call you by your first name."
On the other hand, local business owners would be more than happy to see different stores introduced to the area. After all, with new stores come new crowds. These small businesses could profit from a wider audience brought in by the popularity of bigger mainstream establishments.
"It is hard to tell the outcome in this type of situation," said Dr. Floyd Mast, international business chair. "Larger chains would help give people more things to do and more reasons to go downtown. It is hard to do much serious shopping there, and they cannot expect teenagers to hang out where there is nothing to do."
A mix of local and corporate businesses could be exactly what the doctor ordered for downtown Greenville.
Staff Writer
With locally owned businesses closing in increasing numbers in downtown Greenville, people are wondering whether it would be better for the city to bring in larger chains or keep the "mom-and-pop" type stores.
Everyone knows the drill. When Friday and Saturday nights roll around, a majority of students head for downtown Greenville. Typically they go late at night, after most of the stores have closed and only coffee shops and restaurants remain open for business. A college student is not usually seen walking downtown during the day. Their main pull towards the area is because of Coffee Underground, Port City Java, Falls Park and various restaurants. They typically do not spend their money in small shops or venues, even if they are open for business.
Stores such as Earshot Music and Ocha Tea Bar are specifically designed to cater to the needs of younger generations but do not get enough of this business to keep their stores open and running. Either they are closing for good or have felt the need to relocate in hopes of getting more business elsewhere.
Some have suggested that bringing in more corporate businesses would help revive students' interest in the area. Bringing in stores like Abercrombie, Bath & Body Works and Hot Topic would certainly appeal to younger audiences and create a more mall-like atmosphere. However, this could also significantly affect the small, locally owned shops as well.
Many local shop owners have nightmares about giant corporations storming through the city bringing with them lower prices and more mainstream goods while stomping the small, helpless businesses into the ground.
"Small town people like small town businesses," said Brice Hedgecock, junior business administration. "Big business chains can really hurt small businesses in cities today. Some people may like a cheaper price, but others enjoy a small town family feel when you walk in and people call you by your first name."
On the other hand, local business owners would be more than happy to see different stores introduced to the area. After all, with new stores come new crowds. These small businesses could profit from a wider audience brought in by the popularity of bigger mainstream establishments.
"It is hard to tell the outcome in this type of situation," said Dr. Floyd Mast, international business chair. "Larger chains would help give people more things to do and more reasons to go downtown. It is hard to do much serious shopping there, and they cannot expect teenagers to hang out where there is nothing to do."
A mix of local and corporate businesses could be exactly what the doctor ordered for downtown Greenville.
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