In recent months, let alone years, it seems as if the businessturnover in the Village has been rising like tuition.
Gone are the days of classic stores, shops and eateries thatalumns often come back to enjoy. Instead, they find only changednames, new menus, altered styles or, more than likely, vacantlots.
Indeed, Ball State's business district is drier than a bar on aSunday night.
It can be argued, then, for students to support new clubs andbusinesses in their nearby surrounding community.
Complaints are often heard from those who are disappointed withthe lack of businesses in the three block stretch that comprisesthe "Village." But, in this chain-dominated city, local businesses,especially restaurants, are finding it harder and harder tocompete.
Students continue to knock the Village for what is it today,which often leads to less business for the establishments whichhave held their loyalty to the community.
And so begins the cycle.
Students leave the Village out of their plans and, because ofthe lack of current business, so do future investors.
Income is, truly, the only real variable that can dictate howlong establishments last.
And, ironically enough, that solely relies on the students.
Many underclassman have argued for an 18-plus targeted club toencourage their presence in the district, but as of yet, not onebusiness has catered to their needs.
Keep in mind that alcohol is an incredible money-maker.
Bars are easily the most common establishment found in theVillage, and so their success (and any other related orjointly-owned businesses) relies heavily on those of-age attendeeseach night.
Without the patrons, there is not any income and when you losethe income, you have many vacant lots.
In the end, students will vote with their dollars to determinewhat businesses survive and which ones go silently into thenight.
We've already told you to vote. So what else can we reallysay?
Cheers.
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