On Friday, the Morning Call ran a special on Hess's. I could tell that the reporter actually never experienced the store, but I neither fault him or the paper for that. There are few places to find historical perspective on Allentown anymore, this blog being one of them. But, what I do fault the paper for is the following line; Today, Allentown is undergoing a transformation that has brought an arena and high-end businesses and restaurants to the area dominated by Hess's.
Allentown becoming a dining destination is wishful thinking. Allentown again becoming a high end shopping district is delusional. Sage and the Moravian Bookstore were induced by J.B. Reilly to open here with irresistibly cheap rent, they were not attracted by any success of the area. Furthermore, after the failure of Shula's, it diminishes the paper's credibility to continue the Reilly NIZ myth.
At some point, after it was apparent to others, the paper starting portraying the disgraced city government for what it is. At what point will the paper realize that the arena zone is a taxpayer funded, privately owned bonanza, for just a few people.
reprinted from January of 2016
UPDATE NOVEMBER 27, 2020: Since the above was written nearly four years ago, both Sage and the Moravian Bookstore are gone. While the former mercantile district may be able to survive as a dining destination after the pandemic, its shopping days are clearly over. Dining's survival will depend on the Parking Authority, no meal is worth an overpriced parking ticket.
Allentown, like most city governments, just can not get the idea that prosperity has to come from within. The government needs to set policies that allow business to prosper and want to come to Allentown to do business. Something like a friendly cooperative regulatory system to encourage entrepreneurship, a low tax structure to promote growth, a tough on crime mentality and a clean city. This all requires good management over time and does not pad the pockets of those in the club. It is that simple.
ReplyDeleteAlso departing the downtown scene since 2015 are Aquarius, American Hairlines, Popmart, Tony Luke's, Roar Social House, Blondie's Cupcakes and Hot Dogs, 7th & Sole, Linnet Collections, Crust, Pasta Alla Rosa, Greenmouth Juice Bar, Cafe Vida, Vince's Cheesesteaks, Assembly 88, Grain, Centro Restaurant to name a few.
ReplyDeleteLet's not forget these closing were prior to the 2020 Pandemic.
ReplyDeleteAllentown seems to have a good mix of Latino business's, why not get together with them and ask how the city can make life better for them to succeed. Allentown could again become a self supporting city.
ReplyDeleteCan anyone honestly say they'd have a reason to go to a downtown restaurant or shopping where they'd have to pay to park blocks away? Maybe (just maybe) if businesses provided free vouchers to park, perhaps.
ReplyDeleteCan anyone honestly say they'd pay the same rent downtown opposed to a un-congested apartment complex which had free parking a few yards away?
Can anyone honestly say they'd be willing to risk starting up a small business when there are other mini business units available where FREE parking is readily available and customers were far more likely to visit?
I truly wish Allentown could offer incentives others couldn't. Say like exclusive passes to the arena, restaurant discounts and other venues for residents only. Perhaps 2 or 3 year tax exclusions for new small business start ups. Cheaper taxes for single unit dwellings as opposed to multiple unit rental buildings. Lower property taxes for seniors on fixed incomes (thus encouraging them to not sell their homes to developers who then convert them into multiple units creating a further burden to the school district).
I have other ideas, but I've gone on too long already Michael. Thanks for your indulgence.