History of Stores in the Area

Many stores that met the traditional definition of "community-serving" have gone out of business. Others, still here, are struggling. Why? Can these businesses be made economically viable? Are the businesses remaining (which still cover a wide spectrum of services) being supported by Midtown residents - can they be?

The Transition of the Neighborhood: Real Estate Prices and Mean Income

Real estate costs in the area are escalating. Eichler homes built for $10-20,000 are selling for a million dollars. The mean income is going up. What will this change in terms of community makeup and desires?

What will community needs be when this ordinance becomes effective?

Just a few years ago, Midtown was in trouble-storefronts were vacant and business moribund as long-standing operations folded. This situation only turned around when new business chose to invest here-the new businesses filled space opened by the failure of old businesses-- they did not "push" old businesses out.

The neighborhood is still in transition. It will take several years (as leases run out) before any new ordinance has broad effect. What will be the population, interests and requirements of neighborhood members then? What will be the economic conditions that they and the midtown businesses will face?

How will the people really vote with their dollars?

With nearby shopping centers, "big box" discount stores, and the Internet, what will be the future purchasing practices of the people who now use Midtown? Where do they spend their money today? Do they make a special effort to support local business?

What percentage of revenue from any of the existing businesses comes from the neighborhood?

"Community businesses" and "community-serving" are self-referential. It is not the size of the businesses it is the attitude. The community decides what is a community. It decides what serves. It supports -or not - what it chooses to. If you want something and you can get it at your local shopping area, you will believe it to be "community-serving." If a community is based on a notion of location - perhaps walking distance, and so on, this leads to several problems. Actually, we all live and work in several self-chosen communities. I may feel "community" with where I drop my laundry off and have lunch. It may not be where my work community is - or my home community. This pattern is pervasive. I doubt that there is a business at Midtown that can live exclusively off the revenue from the local "community." I doubt that the majority of Midtown residents buy what can be called "community-serving" goods and services from Midtown even when they are offered here. People just don't act that way.

Which way is the stream flowing?

You cannot legislate a market. Neighborhoods have to have the diversity, financial means and imagination to reinvent themselves as the cultural and greater economic environment changes. Today, this is a constant process.

What is "community-serving" in a 21st Century knowledge-based network economy?

These are the questions that have to be asked and answered before setting long-term policies. Surely, many traditional services will remain, but many will not as new innovations and purchasing patterns continue to change the market landscape.

Midtown cannot be returned to Pleasantville. It will die if the city tries. The Midtown Shopping area can co-evolve with its changing neighborhood and provide a place to secure needed goods and services. It can be comfortable, quiet, accessible, and community-based. This is an issue of design and dialog between service providers and their customers.

Founding Concept

Community-Serving Shopping and Effectiveness of Ordinances

The Palo Alto knOwhere Store

A Personal Note from our Founders

Our History of Community Support

Recommendations