Quote:
Originally Posted by Margaret Pilkington
shopping experience.
|
Help me out on this one, hon. What exactly is a "shopping experience"
Is it something like what Walmart promises: And the underpaid greeter says, "Welcome to Walmart. We hope you enjoy your shopping experience. And we also have a McDonalds restaurant on site." ("McDonalds" and "restaurant" in the same sentence
Trust me guys, if you take your date to a "restaurant" where the Maitre D' is wearing a clown suit, you ain't gonna get lucky.)
And I don't think the politicians should get involved in developing a "business model." Leave that to the merchants who have more of a vested interest in it. As a socialist, I believe that governments should control things like railways, road construction and maintenance, snow removal (if you ever get any), policing, garbage pick up, power generation and distribution ... you know, the big things. The little stuff, like what kind of stores there should be downtown is best left to some body like a Chamber of Commerce, or a Downtown Business Improvement Association ... working, of course, with council. Bottom line is, a "business model" is common sense in fancy clothes.
Subtract the things Accy is never going to be. It won't ever be a major tourist destination. There is no lake front or sea front. The climate sucks. There are some nice buildings; but you ain't going to have a World Heritage Site ... well, not since the bog at the bus stop near the Forts has been demolished. Once you take away the stuff that you will never be, work with what's left. Think local. One doesn't need a degree in Urban Planning to see the obvious.
The municipal politicians should provide clean, well-maintained streets, adequate and convenient parking, a safe, well-policed environment, and tax breaks and other incentives for business ... you can't force stores to open or to stay open; but you can make the town "business friendly." And try to encourage folks to shop at home, and buy local products.