"What kinds of businesses would people like to see in downtown Decorah?" (Some comments)

--by decorahnews.com's Paul Scott

Wow!  When we asked for answers to the question "What kinds of businesses would people like to see in downtown Decorah?" we weren't prepared for all the answers we got.  You can see all those responses in our other story.  But if you'd allow me to comment, there were several responses that left me scratching my head.

"Remember those businesses that went out of business?  We'd like them back!"

If a local business goes out of business, there's a reason--retirement, changes in the owner's life or a lack of profit.  If you own a business and want to stop owning it, your first preference will always be to sell the business to someone else.  If you end up closing the business, it's because you haven't found a buyer.

Take, for instance, the numerous survey responses that noted, "Dennis Smock's barber shop will be closing at the end of the month."  Yes, it would be great if a new barber came to town--but there just aren't a lot of people getting training to be a barber, which is why Dennis is retiring and closing his business.

Likewise, Decorah is losing or has lost a capon processing plant, one discount store, an import store and a bridal shop.  It would be great if any of these would return to Decorah, but the odds don't favor that.

"Really?  There's already a business like that?"

Several of the most interesting responses came from people who wanted businesses that already exist in Decorah. 

"A Chinese restaurant would be a great addition to downtown Decorah," e-mailed one reader who didn't know about Koreana.  "An office supply store" would be nice, e-mailed another person, who didn't know about Storey-Kenworthy.  "I'd like to see a store that sells a wide variety of trendy kids clothing for ages 4-14," e-mailed another person who hadn't visited Modish or Seedling, apparently.

Other readers knew about existing businesses--but wanted more of them.  "Another men's clothing store for a little variety and competition," "Dollar General Store," "Another Agora type of shop would be great" said readers. 

One e-mail did make me laugh.  "How about a drive through at one of the three coffee shops?" asked a reader.  The correct answer is that the locations of the three coffee shops probably prevent this from happening.  But is it too much of an inconvenience to people to have to park their cars and walk half a block to get their morning coffee?  Then again, our new office is right across the street from one of those coffee shops!