Reflections and rental signs might be the only things seen in Uptown store windows because of closing businesses and vacant buildings.
Business closings, such as Schoolkids Music, 12 S. Court St., and Shoe-Be-Do, 57 N. Court St., have been blamed on competition and not enough traffic in the Uptown area.
We're closing because it's just not working out in this town. There is not enough traffic
said Amy Mangano, owner of Shoe-Be-Do, which is closing after four years in Athens.
Some businesses, like Schoolkids, are closing as a result of Wal-Mart's corporate competition, said Matt Box, a store employee at Schoolkids.
Larry Payne, president of the Athens Area Chamber of Commerce, however, does not cite the super-center as a reason for business closings.
I don't think at least initially there has been a relationship between Wal-Mart and closings
but that doesn't mean there won't be in the future. For the businesses that have closed
it has been for different reasons
he said. If you look at the businesses on East State Street
Ames was already closed
Big Bear closed because of bankruptcy from a corporation
and Kmart was a decision from the corporation
probably having something to do with Wal-Mart. J.C. Penney closed as a corporate decision to close their small-town concept stores -the manager thought Wal-Mart would help sales. Downtown businesses that closed can't really relate to Wal-Mart.
Alan Geiger, president of the Economic Development Council for the chamber, said the relationship between Wal-Mart and the closing of businesses involves a variety of things.
There are a school of things who think Wal-Mart is the reason
and there are a school of things who don't
