Hess Village

[fastcarsfreedom]

It is always the great debate when areas start to thrive as "entertainment" districts--particularly when residential areas are nearby. This is a huge issue locally where the entertainment district comprises most of what was the traditional downtown retail district. Nearby residents of varying economic strata are constantly fighting the battle of litter, vommit and vandalism, yet, the influx of business--no matter it's source, generates jobs, profits and spin-off business in an area that would otherwise be completely comatose after dark.

I also appreciate the frustration at the fact that so many of the alleged culprits are folks driving in from other areas to treat the neighborhood as a "playground". Now, for many years growing up, I was that kid...meaning, I came in from the exurbs and partied in the city. To be clear, I never released any bodily substance on anyone's street, or littered--the worst I probably did was spit chewing tobacco onto the sidewalk. The point is--the behavior of the few is inacceptable, while the behavior of the many (bringing dollars from outside the city to spend at in-town establishments) is golden.\

Broader demographic appeal is excellent news--I side with highwater on that issue. On occassion, establishments have opened up here with the intent of appealing to a broader (as in, older) audience...some, amusingly, try to appeal to the "25+" crowd--meaning everyone is between 24 and 26 and is dressed entirely in black--but for the most part these places have inevitably found favor with the kiddie crowd and been completely over-run with 19 year olds. Coming from anglo-irish roots, I find the pub concept pretty acceptable--I went prematurely gray, so I fit in fine there--but for most of the entertainment-oriented bars locally, my wife and I would be far-and-away the oldest people there.

Since I live in the burbs--and most people here like to ridicule that in various degrees of severity--I thought you'd enjoy something that even I find amusing...the kids in my immediate area--I mean, basically 19 year olds--have taken to walking over to Boston Pizza to drink. Saves them the trip downtown I guess, and Applebee's closes at midnight.