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Disclaimer: When I began to write this, I didn't intend for it to sound like a downer post; however, that's what it kind of morphed into as I wrote. Being a person with a tendency to keep up with self-imposed deadlines whenever possible, I bring to you this post as my 8:00 deadline has come and now is in danger of zooming past me. I give to you that which I have.
Really, I'm not depressed.
I promise…
There are a few locations downtown in my city. I’m sure that your town has places just like them. These are black holes in regard to survival in the commerce world. These locations—though prime as positions seem to go—also seem to deliver the proverbial kiss of death to every single one of the businesses they’ve allowed to inhabit them.
These empty storefronts often remind me of that song from the 80s, you know, “Come Dancing” by The Kinks. The song that tells the story about all the different things a particular lot has morphed into over the years—none of them managing to survive the duration of time.
It’s kind of sad, really: an entire onslaught of years, bringing with them nothing but a cursing.
I recently walked by this gutted location and looked in through the large picture-type windows. The view it afforded was one of despondent emptiness. While others might see hope and opportunity, based on the track record of said location, I only see a bankruptcy waiting to happen.
I walk on.
I wait for the day it becomes something else, only to be gone before the year is out.
This is my city.
7 comments:
I hear you! It is tough out there and yes gazing at those empty spaces does make a difference to one's attitude
There are areas of every city like those spots u mention... 3rd St. Promenade (s.m.) use to look horrible, now its been renovated, that's all it takes- a city that cares and gets involved...
It is scary and sad.
Things are bouncing back here, in this small tourist town, but last summer: to see so many windows with "For Lease" signs splashed across...it was scary.
We're getting better now, and it affects everyone's mood.
I don't think you're depressed, I think you're a writer: and writers are affected by their environment. It's what we notice and write about.
I had a job at a restaurant in a building just like that. The job didn't last 6 months before it went out of business. It has been many other businesses since then. Sad stuff.
Even here we have the same thing happening: The place that was a Builder's Square, sat empty forever, turned into an Old Tyme Pottery which is now going out of business. There are WAY too many others to name as the same thing is happening to them too. But like the Empress, things are bouncing back from the economy here too. Son came home excited that a Jay Gumbos is being built close to home. News says that another airline is coming to CVG. Yep things are looking up around here....
This is also my city, and many others out there, even with all of those "downtown development" plans that the city comes up with. I look at it as a reflection of our mindset as a culture...we have a hard time rebuilding and renewing the old, and just prefer to move on to newer, bigger, better.
Y - It sure does.
C - Seeing new life breathed into buildings is always a great thing…
E - Thanks for realizing that I wasn't depressed. I really wasn't; however, even my sister commented how this post wasn't 'my usual' type of post.
Just shaking it up…
J - It's amazing just how something can change, isn't it?
B - Sometimes old, deserted buildings make for great photo opportunities, but not at others.
L - Even that which is old has its place. The older buildings are those which seem to have the most character and are fun to be in.
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