The economy's pretty bad. I think we're past the point where I need to link to a news story or something to substantiate this. Milwaukee is blessed with a wide variety of Darwinized independent business who have weathered the last decade and a half. After that feat, lean and fit, they are well poised to survive and thrive through this recession. Meanwhile, large corporation, municipalities and a smattering of local businesses exhibit the kind of terminal cluelessness that can only result from thinking with the left and right cheek rather than the left and right hemisphere. Just in the last twenty-four hours, I've come across a multitude of examples.
1) Shorewood: There aren't enough businesses on our main shopping street, and the ones that are there aren't doing well enough. I know--let's tear that street (N. Oakland Ave.) up for a year. That'll help!
2) Jean Pierre's, then Juan Pedro's, now JP's (I think--I'm having a hard time keeping track): Our business isn't doing well enough. I know--let's keep changing the name until more people come!
3) Starbucks, N. Farwell and E. Brady: Neil Young is awesome background music! I don't deny the man's talent, but let's face it, background music he ain't. (I think there may be a hidden agenda here, as lots of people have been in and out during my stay, very few of them paying customers. The Neil Young might be employed for its fingernails-on-a-chalkboard effect.)
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