Anonymous has left a new comment on your post "Evolution Of T-Ville A Hot Topic":
*Folks, the internet is the new way to shop. Remember that.*
Internet shopping has been around for years and will continue to grow. However judging by the growth in the South Windsor area and the retail growth in Holyoke and West Hartford, brick and mortar is here to stay. People want to reach out and touch the products they want to buy. Not everyone but enough to keep retail strong.
As for T-ville, people are looking for something different and the river makes a special backdrop that would attract businesses to the area. For T-ville to survive, it doesn't have to be all retail. Professional offices and small to medium businesses would do well if encouraged. It takes, courage, faith, and an investment. A little vision helps too.
Enjoying this immensely. This is what blogging should be all about. Blog on!
Posted by Anonymous to The Cool Justice Report at 4:34 PM
3 comments:
"As for T-ville, people are looking for something different and the river makes a special backdrop that would attract businesses to the area."
Enfield's riverfront is pretty darn ugly, and lacks access. Much of it is useless because of the railroad tracks run so close to water. Unlike Agawam, which has a great lil'walk and bike path along the CT River, Enfield's riverfront is really too "narrow" to make good use of. The water is there, but most townfolks don't see the river unless they cross the bridges to Suffield, Windsor Locks or Springfield.
That said, what would be interestin' is if Enfield could come up with some kind of "start up business" community (much like STCC has) since downtown rents are so low in Thompsonville, & the area is close a major highway and the rails.
If the Town could get some grant money, or work out something with Asnuntuck Community to promote a climate for "start ups" in tech or health areas. Come up with a planned community for these kinds of ventures.
Gotta think outside of the box because Enfield doesn't need anymore retail centers (whether indoors or outdoors) and Enfield already has enough industrial parks.
New barbershops, nail salons, ice cream shops, etc. aren't gonna be enough to change the future for T-Ville.
>>>*Folks, the internet is the new way to shop. Remember that.*
>
>>Internet shopping has been around for years and will continue to grow. However judging by the growth in the South Windsor area and the retail growth in Holyoke and West Hartford, brick and mortar is here to stay.
Anyone wish to wager a bet that LLBean's internet biz will increase long after the LLBean in
South Windsor is long gone??
The internet is killing retail establishments. Look @ the empty storefront (even @ South Windsor).
That SW concept of outdoor shopping is a desperate attempt to try something different to lure shoppers away from their computers.
But people are lazy, and don't like to walk in the rain or snow.
Alas, its a lot easier and cheaper to shop from home, 24/7. While its nice to touch an item, one can forego that when gas is close to
$3.50 a gallon. Order it online (its generally free shipping) and if you don't like it or it doesn't
fit, send it back, for free.
Not to mention the sales tax issue. Is everyone paying sales tax when shopping via the internet? I don't think so.
Retail is not going to save T-Ville. Been there, and the retail
moved out to the malls and various shopping center.
Where's the Little Country Store located now? On Hazard Ave.
While I'm not sure what to do with
downtown T-Ville, I know I don't want to see any Council appointed panel to come up with ideas. What I'd like to see is a community "drive" to come up with suggestions and proposals.
There's a community college, 2 high schools and a middle school in Enfield, and one would think there's something the town teachers could do to incorporate "what to do
with T-ville?" into some courses (whether they be social studies, or
business courses, create a survey, or conduct a poll).
In order for T-ville to survive, the stakeholders need to be involved, and right now the stakeholders are all the residents of Enfield (not just the residents of T-ville).
Ask the church leaders, ask the school children, ask the Boys & Girl Scouts, "ask the people". Put up suggestion boxes in the libraries, create a web site where people could submit ideas. Have a poster contest. Make people feel they're part of a worthwhile project.
There are a lot of smart people in Enfield. Council and BOE needs to ask them prior to making important decisions. As opposed to making decisions w/o them, and then watching people react.
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