Something isn't working in the Village.
We all know it. Yet hardly anyone really wants to talk about the issues or what can be done to fix them.
The Village was home to businesses such as clothing stores, a grocery store, a drugstore and an ice cream and soda shop 20 to 30 years ago. In the years since, as rent has increased and the economy fluctuated, the landscape has changed drastically. While restaurants remain, many of the other buildings are either empty or are home to bars.
As the MT Cup, Mugly's Pub and Eatery, Jimmy John's and University Square — home to the Madhatter — face foreclosure, much is at stake for the future success of the heavily student-populated area along University Avenue.
Students, in a poll on bsudailynews.com, expressed interest in a variety of businesses they'd like to see in the Village, including a 24-hour diner, a hookah bar, an ice cream shop and a pool hall.
If the student interest is there, why is it so difficult to find people who want to operate these types of places?
Other Village business owners say they have seen the slump during the past few years and would like to see friendly competition. That makes sense, because the addition of businesses helps drive students to other Village locales too.
Additionally, the Village acts as a big selling point for the university. Prospective students like having places to hang out that are close to campus, especially if they don't have easy access to a vehicle. While no one wants to see Ball State University take over the buildings occupied by private businesses in the Village, the university shouldn't completely ignore the plight of the area.
Our message to the Village is this: It doesn't have to be "you against the world." Students want to help but really don't know how to. We have all these ideas and no one wants to listen.
Maybe the Village could benefit from an operation like downtown Muncie has with Downtown Development. Someone with no vested interest in the Village needs to help give it a wake up call. A multitude of businesses opening and then closing only a short time after — Crawdaddy's, The Warehouse, Wing Out, El Camino, The Library, Creole Kid and many more — doesn't exactly inspire other business owners to take their shot.
It's way past time for all to come together and work out these problems. Make it happen.
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