Here's one we'll return to later, but for now, an introduction is in order.
Our local book dealer, Destinations, referred me to a web site detailing community action in Austin, Texas, that brought together locally owned businesses to defeat a proposal to develop a downtown shopping complex with Borders as anchor.
A book store and music shop combined to create the "Keep Austin Weird" campaign, which became a rallying cry for unique, local businesses.
In Louisville, several locally owned merchants have adopted this slogan, and we're beginning to see "Keep Louisville Weird" posters and shirts. No doubt this is in response to the Cordish-mandated excesses of Fourth Street Live.
It makes me think: Such a slogan would not work in New Albany. We'd have to start with "Make New Albany Weird" before moving on to "keeping" it that way.
In turn, this points to what would be one of the major flaws in current proposals to redevelop downtown New Albany (if there really were plans, which there aren't): No one involved with such a redevelopment effort would have any clue what keeping something weird actually implies.
The proposed YMCA is not weird.
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3 comments:
Hopefully a concerted effort of new blood and new ideas from progressive thinkers and small business owners such as yourself will get the ball rolling for downtown NA. Was so glad to see the article in the CJ about the Calumet Club that the Bliss family is undertaking. Now I know what building you were referring to for the possible Alt-homecoming venue. Thanks for the thoughts on my blog site. I am going to try and post something everyday worthy of reading.
Brandon, it's a fine coincidence that you introduce Florida's book into the discussion, as I just purchased it at Destinations last evening and will begin reading as soon as possible. Let's stay in contact.
I bought Trav a Keep Louisville Weird shirt yesterday at Wild and Wooly, not knowing the grander trajectory, wincing that No Logo is a Logo, i am on board, mates, listening to Bessie and sipping Bull's Blood.
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