One of the reasons why I resent upscale, swanky boutiques for the ultra rich opening in my middle-class neighborhood is because they have replaced two venues which gave local artists an opportunity to show their work, Mom's Pizza (doubled as an art gallery), and Positively 19th St. (A cd and record store which featured cd's and performances by local talent). This change has happened only over the last 2 years or so. Some cheerleaders for Allentown may call this "progress." Get those wacky retro artists outta here, they are getting in the way of real progress with their meaningful, thoughtful artistic statements. Now let's get shopping and be positive!! Look how beautiful these storefronts look! They'll look great on our new blog!I have nothing against upscale boutiques, and I enjoy making special purchases (like once a year maybe), but these "shoppes" really cater to people who live in wealthier neighborhoods. Isn't that what the Promenade is for? I really don't know too many people who live in my neighborhood who can afford a $500.00 handbag. Let's be realistic. And I wonder if the reason why they offer free "wine tastings" with shopping is to get people so drunk that they just hand over their credit card? Sorry, I'm not biting.
Mom's pizza doubled as an art gallery and showcased local artists like Rosemary Geseck, Annie Giancarlo, and Chris Jones, and the late Gregg Weaver. A little art scene was starting to evolve a few years ago, along with a sense of community where artists and patrons of all ages and socio-economic backgrounds could gather. Most artists cannot afford to go to the Allentown Art Musem events, auctions, dinners, and other social functions that really exclude the artists because of the high ticket price. It seems like those events are mostly for the patrons of the arts who you see every week on the social pages of the paper.
Just a note here: The Card Shop/ Post Office is closing its doors on 19th St. because they were robbed two times, so were some other stores. The Shanty and Saylor's diner, two major anchors for the area, are still vacant. The swanky storefronts can't mask the fact that crime does exist in this neighborhood as well as in the downtown.
But those new banners make me feel much better.
Please read this:
Painting by Rosemary Geseck, local artist and teacher at The Baum School of Art
Update: I forgot to mention that The Shanty was a venue for many local bands.
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24 comments:
Ok Dottie, nice attempt to rewrite history but it won't fly.
Mom's and the CD shop closed by their own choosing leaving empty storefronts behind. Would you prefer the empty storefronts over the swanky new shops? Would you prefer the tax revenue generated from these shops went to support the kids in Southern Lehigh if they were located down there instead of your kids in the ASD? If these places were empty you would be complaining about that. No one was pushed out.
If you actually bought your music at the CD shop instead of downloading it online maybe the CD store would still be around. Perhaps Hess's should still be open because we all enjoy the memory of shopping there, get real. Why don't you support the artsy new book store on 18th St? That's a cool place and it certainly isn't a yuppie hang out.
As for the Shanty and Saylors, there is no shortage of interested people. I have a feeling you are going to get upset when one of these locations, if not both, gets a lot swankier very soon.
As for the card shop, the break-in was a shame but the Post Office's decision to close a number of their neighborhood offices, including that one, is what did them in. Times change sweetheart.
Now that I have proven you are not very good at pointing out problems, perhaps you should focus on figuring out solutions. I realize this would be new to you considering you are not active in the neighborhood at all now but you may find it to be a bit more rewarding.
LV Gal, sweetheart, how do you know that Dottie didn't buy CDs at Positively 19th Street, isn't active in the neighborhood, and doesn't patronize the cool new book store on 18th street? Do you by any chance work in Mayor Pawlowski's urban surveillance camera department?
I feel that a blog is not really a place that should be trying to tell people where they should or should not shop. Every one has a right to chose where they wish to shop or even window shop for that matter.
Re: "Times change sweetheart."- LV Gal
LV Gal, yeah, we know. Times change. But they don't always change for the better, in someone's (like Dottie's) opinion. No need to get nasty and insider-know-it-all pompous regarding your opposing opinion, which, in my opinion, contains some valid points. Of course we'd rather see taxpaying upscale retail vs empty storefronts on 19th Street. But Dottie is not "re-writing history" when she talks about the thriving and stimulating musician and painter scene that was happening in the "Theatre District" for a shining few moments a while back there. I was a happy attendee and participant in those art activities too. Possibly you don't remember them because you didn't patronize 19th Street then? And that's where our differing percpetions must allow us to agree to disagree. We'll wish you happy upscale shopping and swanky dining on 19th street and you allow us to miss our art scene happenings. What do you say, sweetheart :)
I apologize for all the typos. I am a horrible typist. I should have been more careful with my spell-checking.
Brnie,
Is't hte menaing that mattres
Dottie,
Congratulations on the blog; I'm really enjoying it.
You and I have spoken before about the 19th St. Theater District...it needs to be developed as a neighborhood, not a tourist attraction. Hopefully that will happen with the right leadership.
Keep up the good work.
i have the upmost regard for pam varkony, but respectfully disagree about the 19th st. theatre district. as i told an early organizing meeting, leave it alone, keep the city and college "planners" away, and be grateful for the ambience you have.
Pam,
Thank you, I appreciate your comment. I enjoy your column, and will miss your blog. I don't remember speaking with you about the Theatre District, it was the Bernie Kieklak issue, and I asked you if you would write about it, and you did!
I agree that the theatre district should be developed as a neighborhood, not a tourist attraction. I realize that it might be better to see taxpaying boutiques there instead of empty stores, but I do not believe that the new glitziness serves the community. I get concerned when I see too much style over little substance. Things look great, but where are the people?
MM,
I think if the city "planners" would be more in touch with the community maybe things would be different. These so called "visionaries" seem myopic.
What's going to happen when people start losing their McMansions and don't have the expendable income for luxury items? Well, wait, maybe I am wrong, it seems like there will ALWAYS be an ultra-rich population.
there is truth in both points being made here.
Both "mom's" and "positively 19th street" closed on their own volition, and were not pushed out or priced out. I appreciate the idea behind "boutique" businesses opening on 19th street, but wish that the "funky" didn't come with "upscale".
I was and am thrilled with Blink Optical, but I certainly admit that their frames are pricey and not everyone can afford a $150 pricetag on a pair of eyeglasses. When I heard that the landlord was finally knocking a window into the building where the handbag store is located I was thrilled, but also disappointed because in truth, had their been a window-front store there before, the record shop would have been MUCH more likely to have succeeded and stayed open.
I stopped by the handbag store and was mostly apalled - I can't even imagine what kind of women will patronize their business. That doesn't mean I don't wish them success, but as someone who appreciates that 19th street is one of the places I can loiter around and be assured I will see friendly and familiar faces, I am bewildered as to why a shop like that would choose that location. I don't even think that most of the theatre patrons, who are probably the most well-to-do 19th street consumers are interested or able to patronize a business with that high of a price-range. Maybe I'm wrong, but I and most people I know (many of whom live in the neighborhood) could pay rent for a few months on the cost of those handbags.
The neighborhood association in the west end has snoozed and is blowing it, bigtime. They dodged a bullet when the auto zone decided to pull out of the Saylor's lot, but then never followed through on changing the zoning ordinances for that neighborhood. Last I heard a mini shopping mall is going to open on that lot, and they'll be trying to recruit national chain businesses. WHAT??? I'm sure that will do worlds for the quaint artsy district the neighborhood is trying to establish itself as.
It takes involvement of businesses and residents to determine the course of a specific neighborhood, not the city planners - and in this instance the WETD association has failed to be proactive, failed to follow through on their goals, and I fear they will ultimately pay a huge price. There's nothing wrong with a varied mix of shops, including some "upscale" ones coming into the neighborhood. Perhaps the opening of Boutique to Go would not be so upsetting if the neighborhood was more established as a destination for artsy businesses. I won't shed a single tear for the Shanty when it is finally replaced, but I do hate the idea of a big chain coming into that space, no matter how swank or affordable it may be.
I am sorry but the bottom line is if a shop or store wants to open in that area or anywhere else, who the heck are we to complain about it? If the pizza shop couldn't make a go of it... well?? If you don't like the store don't go in it. We live in America not Russia. Why not open your own shop on that street selling arts and art supplies. You will either make it or fail. Thats the same thing everyone is doing when they go to a shop or boutique. There are lots of seniors who love to go in a boutique just to look. And many will purchase an item for themselves or perhapes a gift. They they go up the street for lunch and down the street to chewck out the other shops. How bad can this be??? When my mother was alive she loved to do just that. She never bought a $500 handbag either.
I'm with you in theory River, but the next time a, adult bookstore, tattoo parlor, pawn shop, family dollar store, or other "shunned" business opens on your block, see how many residents don't get upset at who is moving into the neighborhood. The pendulum swings both ways, and I definitely think that neighborhood associations should be active in recruiting businesses which fit the wants and needs of the community.
Note: I believe $500 is the average price for a handbag at the boutique. I saw some for $1,0000.
I agree with LOLV, there is nothing wrong with upscale shops, and I apologize if my preferences as an artist dominated my post, but a varied mix would fit the community. I hope the big chains don't come in. I'm having a hard enough time dealing with the Commerce Bank. The neighborhood might lose its ambience.
Hi LOLV. I agree about adult book stores , most cities have codes about where they can be. But what is wrong with a Family Dollar or Dollar General store?? They are great places for value and are just todays version of the Woolworth's store we all grew up with. I go to one all the time
annonymous, I have no problem with dollar stores - for that matter I have no problem with adult bookstores either - but I have definitely seen snooty residents complain about dollar stores coming into their otherwise "affluent" neighborhoods.
""Look Out Lehigh Valley said...
annonymous, I have no problem with dollar stores - for that matter I have no problem with adult bookstores either - but I have definitely seen snooty residents complain about dollar stores coming into their otherwise "affluent" neighborhoods.
Wed Jan 09, 07:52:00 AM 2008""" Well, some people are just going to complain about anything, at anyplace ,at any time. Our whole culture has a lot of whiners and criers and complainers. It will never stop and I think it is getting worse, look at some of these posts! Your "affluent" neiborhood probably has a bunch of residents who get less that $20,000 a year and they need a local Dollar store. I just don't get these blogs... people cry about everything.
River,
If you don't "get" these blogs, then get off them, or start your own. Your comments don't make any sense and do not add to the conversation. I wasn't gonna take your smelly bait, but I am warning you if this continues then I will have to delete you, for good. Go fish somewhere else. I will not tolerate anyone who is looking for an argument or just annoying people.
I am not arguing, If you don't like a different opinion .. then you are the one who should leave or accept the fact that everyone on earth may not think the same way you do. It is a free country, get used to it.
thanks for being very nasty
"It is a free country, get used to it." -River
But this is Dottie's blog River and she can delete or ban whoever she wants and I'd vote for banning you.
what it next? book burning like Hitler did?
"what it next? book burning like Hitler did?"
The only book I'd advocate burning is "River's Journal."
I smell smoke here
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