I've been preoccupied with comparing and contrasting Milwaukee and Arizona (as well as, you know, flying back and forth). I've developed the following theories that have an impact on consumer spending:
- An overwhelming concern for Milwaukee-area residents is the desire to keep their kids out of public schools if possible. The area's two big religious pillars--the Roman Catholics and Missouri/Wisconsin Synod Lutherans--run parochial schools. I don't think this is a coincidence. I'd be interested in seeing stats on how many kids are in parochial schools here compared to other regions.
- A second overwhelming concern is maintaining the property value of their home. I theorize that investment in one's home is a financial pillar that carries more weight in people's lives here than in other places. I wonder if that's because the job market is relatively soft here and people have been traumatized by the loss of major employers. Conversely, property values have held up very well here compared to Arizona.
It may not be immediately clear what relevance this has to coffee shops, but I think these forces tie up a lot of cash and/or force people's wallets shut compared to a place like Scottsdale.
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