On Sunday, the Tribune’s Amany Ali travels to the burgeoning Charlestown Road (Indiana 311) corridor to investigate the making of New Albany’s own Brooksian exurb, complete with McMansions, the obligatory big box, cookie cutter chain retail, an engorged megachurch, and the best stadium seats in the house for “Dukes of Hazzard: Uncle Jesse Really Creams a Deer.”
Which Way to Go; some question 311 potential.
Apart from several paragraphs of regrettable hagiography devoted to developer Gary McCartin, whose career exemplifies the ideology of the cancer cell (growth for the sake of growth), it is a workmanlike exposition of an unavoidable topic.
Happily for the contrarians among us, just remember that there is more than one market, with different niches serving to satisfy varying demands, and although it may seem inexplicable to some, the development of the exurb serves quite nicely to spur the redevelopment of the inner city.
As a corollary of sorts, consider this fascinating portrait of one artist’s philosophical objections to pop culture, as compellingly presented by Andrew Adler in today’s Courier-Journal:
At 28, organist Paul Jacobs bold about classics (short shelf life for C-J links).
The C-J article about Paul Jacobs was refreshing. I'm always encouraged when I see or hear masters of a dicipline perform. I was also impressed by his intolerance of mediocrity.
ReplyDeleteIt's a good thing that we are developing the options to shop and eat downtown because "New Town" as I've heard it referred to is becoming as much of a traffic nightmare as Clarksville is currently!
ReplyDeleteCeece, in regards to your post a few up the list, the downtown merchants are holding a Christmas Holidays open house of sorts.
ReplyDeleteThe Friday after Thanksgiving, the merchants association in cooperation with Develop New Albany is hosting Holiday Homecoming. There will be craft booths set up in the lobby of the White House Centre, the 200 block of Pearl Street will be closed to vehicular traffic, there will be carolers from local churches, kids from dance studios, as well as Santa arriving on a fire truck. There will be drawings held for both kids and adults for prizes donated by the local merchants. And, of course the annual lighting of the city Christmas tree and other lights.
Also, the merchants are trying to get local churches to provide carolers every Friday night between Thanksgiving and Christmas, as most of the merchants would like to see the hustle and bustle of the Christmas season return to downtown New Albany.
So, I hope you and yours will find time to attend the celebration and please feel free to tell everyone about it.
Downtown is not DEAD! It lives!
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ReplyDeleteHere are a few Christmas gift ideas that are available from independent merchants, especially downtown and the area surrounding downtown:
ReplyDeleteBooks (of course!)
Photographs of the little ones or a family portrait
Jewelry
Gift certificates for salon and/or spa services
Music lessons
Karate classes
Antiques, collectibles, unique decorative items, dishes, glassware
Furniture
Home Decor items (lamps, pictures, etc.)
Flowers (fresh or silk)
Classes in quilting, rug hooking, various art classes
Supplies or gift certificates for above
Educational toys/workbooks
Restaurant gift certificates
Bed & Breakfast gift certificates
Cakes, decorated cookies, cookie trays
This is just a very short list of things that came to mind quickly.
Many of these ideas would be perfect for someone looking for gifts that are a little more creative than slippers or gifts for people who "have everything".
Many potential customers don't even know these businesses exist. Finding effective ways to market goods and services is a challenge for independent businesses, whether they are downtown or at the edge of town.
It isn't as simple as putting an advertisement in the paper (if only).
Word-of-mouth is often more effective than advertising. So if you want to support independent businesses one of the best things you can do is tell people about them.
10:39 AM