Readers ask Mr. Answer Person about reserved drug store parking

(Several readers, including Deb, have e-mailed about the designated parking space for Donlon Pharmacy customers who are picking up prescriptions.  Asks Deb, "A bunch of us are wondering how Donlon's Drug Store can designate a parking spot for pharmacy pickups?  How does that work?  And what if every business in Decorah decides they want to do that?  Then what?  Who makes that decision?  Can parking tickets be issued for parking there?")
 
Mr. Answer Person says, "My first reaction was that it must be pretty boring this winter if that's all your group could find to complain about!
 
But your question deserves an answer.  It is pretty standard for pharmacies to have a drive-through where customers can pick up their prescriptions. Because there's no place for such a drive-through at Donlon's, the owner approached the City of Decorah's Streets Committee to ask for a designated parking space.  He pointed out that many of his customers are elderly and some may have difficulty getting prescriptions and that there is precedent for a designated space--the Hotel Winneshiek has a parking space for people checking in at their hotel.  Members of the city's Streets Committee agreed with the reasons and approved the parking space on a six-month trial.
 
As for whether "every business in Decorah" can get a designated parking
space, they can make a request--but city officials will determine whether there is a logical reason for the request.
 
In the meantime, don't park in the space-yes, you can be ticketed!