Letter to the Editor
Editor,
In response to the Oct. 7 editorial Addition of new businesses good move for Athens
Athens should welcome the arrival of Staples, Lowe's and Blockbuster Video if it wishes to lose its small-town charm and turn into every other cookie-cutter town sprouting up in the U.S. today. Athens should welcome these businesses if it wants small businesses (which already provide the same services) to fold. Athens should welcome these new businesses if it wants residents to have to drive away from the city center and cultural hub to obtain basic services (promoting dependence on cars and thus more air pollution).
Small businesses in Athens will likely fold not because they are inefficient, but because they cannot compete with low prices that are made possible by huge conglomerates with powerful investment backing. The small number of loyal customers which the Post editorial claims will keep the small businesses going, will unfortunately not be sufficient to compete with the large numbers who will easily be swayed by lower prices. The kind of one-stop shopping described in the editorial is exactly the kind of lazy, consumerist lifestyle that people from other countries (and many Americans) despise about North America.
Blockbuster Video will not provide a larger variety of videos; in fact, Blockbuster is currently converting almost completely to DVD's (pushing many Americans to feel they now need a DVD player). In addition, unlike smaller stores, Blockbuster franchises do not have the discretion to do more creative ordering, nor to make special orders for customers. The cost of rental at Blockbuster Video is also now close to $4.
How could a store like Staples provide the kind of knowledgeable staff, personalized service and a sense of community in the same way that one like The Farmacy has done since its opening in the early 1970s? No one argues the serious need for more job opportunity in Athens and the surrounding areas. But couldn't jobs spring from businesses that provide new services to Athens?
In addition, for the long-term growth and success of Athens, residents are in need of stable careers that can offer growth opportunity, enable them to support a family and provide them with social security. Deskilled hourly positions will not prepare Athens residents for the changing economy, nor provide long-term stability for Athens. How much of the revenue generated by these huge corporations will actually be re-integrated into the Athens economy? While it's true that the sales tax generated by these stores remains in Athens proper, you can be sure much of the profits will rest with those who do not live in Athens.
When you travel outside of Athens, you really begin to appreciate the unique qualities of this small town; qualities that are increasingly lost in a country dotted with mini-malls. How long will it be until there are three Starbucks on Court Street?
- Lisa Nicole Smith, Ohio University Graduate Student, ls599803@ohio.edu
17
Archives
Lisa Nicole Smith graduate student,",",",",",","
10156,2003-10-13 00:00:00,Returning home once every year,",Turnstile
