By Haleigh Ehmsen-
“Study shows UI’s economic impact on IC” published in the Gazette on Friday, Dec. 2, discusses the money that the UI students bring to Iowa City that is not found on the census, but it also talks about bringing more business downtown. Iowa City development director, Jeff Davidson suggests that bringing national chain businesses downtown would attract more people to the area. Mike Draper, owner of Raygun clothing store downtown Iowa City doesn’t think is really necessary. “I think every neighborhood should really assess who their demographic is and work to please their demographic more than trying to be a neighborhood that appeals to everybody,” Draper said.

I could not agree with this more. Why should Iowa City put in a Texas Roadhouse of American Eagle downtown? These chains are already in this area and the atmosphere of downtown Iowa City is made so unique by the quirky stores and specialty shops. When people go downtown Iowa City or even Mount Vernon, they aren’t looking for the same stores they would expect in a mall. They’re looking for their favorite Mom-and-Pop restaurants or a store with an interesting display. Downtown Iowa City is full of such originality and it is somewhat scary to think that we may someday be overcome by Wal-Marts and chain restaurants. Independently owned shops and restaurants are America’s trademarks and supporting them is so important in their existence. To bring in national chains to such a home-y place may actually be detrimental to the shops that IC is so lucky to have.

I remember when my mom had a store downtown Mt. Vernon, we would have people come in and say things like, “Oh that’s nice but I can get the same thing at Target.” Here’s the thing, you actually CAN’T. Locally owned businesses are the pride of our towns and something that we should want to protect. As the holiday season approaches, we should all consider where we are buying our gifts and what we are supporting with our purchases. As nice and convenient Wal-Mart is, you might find something much more meaningful and certainly, one-of-kind in a downtown store.