I just found out today that downtown Washington will take another economic hit. Mayberry's restaurant is slated to close this weekend. The business has been listed for sale, but owner Brad Portenier said he would be closing the doors Saturday.
It's been a tough year for downtown, with several businesses closing. This is quite unusual compared to the last couple years where more businesses have opened then closed.
But I suppose this is the cycle of life in a small time. I just hope a buyer of the restaurant steps up because these are three big buildings that brought a lot of economic activity to downtown.
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It is truly sad how difficult it is for businesses to make it in a small town. The truth of the matter is, in the current economy, it's difficult for people to justify spending money on things that are not necessities. Groceries and gas are the most important things to spend money on right now and everything else must take a back seat. Even big city merchants are having a tough time due to the increased costs of fuel and food. However, this is only part of the problem with the slumping economy in Washington. There is such a small population in the town that it becomes difficult for businesses like restaurants to have a continuous or steady flow of patrons. Since many people who grew up in Washington are not able to find jobs with competitive wages and benefits in their hometown they have no choice but to move on to other communities. Washington is not alone in this dilemma. Such is the state of affairs in small communities across the nation. Some have found ways to get out of that rut, others succumb to it. Where will Washington be in 20-30 years? If things continue along the current path the outlook, I fear, is grim.
Let's see.....hummmmmm. Who will it be who will save us? First it was the dog treat place that was going to save Washington (what ever happened to that business anyway? Why did it go away? Didn't have anything to do with the odor floating over to the hog baron's house did it??) Then it was the methanol operation out west. Then it was Mayberry's.....Bradford Built couldn't carry the load on it's own. Then it was the "rumor" of a movie theater. Now I guess it is all up to the new pizza place. That is quite a load for them to shoulder. Or are there more rumors floating around?
Your "guest columnist" Mr. Smart may have hit on a clue in his piece last week about Hanover and it's community spirit, but he failed to connect the dots. He didn't point out the absence in Washington.
If Washington has no "community spirit," then what exactly helped build the wonderful Munckinland playground? Hanover should be commended for its community spirit, but that seems a separate issue from attracting businesses to Washington.
It is frustrating that Washington has missed out on several opportunties. However, pizza is a start and a theater would be a step in the right direction.
Those aren't going to "save" the town, but they would at least help it.
There always seems to be a feeling in small towns that people don't want change because it's always been this way and we don't want to lose our small town. That conservative way of thinking just doesn't cut it, because it is in fact changing when things aren't done to sustain that size.
Case in point: the potential for a prison landing in Washington in the late 80s. Who knows what could have been. Oh, that's right, Ellsworth would know.
hfh..this is the 2nd time that I've seen you comment negatively about this community. Why do you still live here? The first comments you made were when you took pot shots at hog owners trying to make a living; you didn't mention anything of the cattle yards or dairies...now you are implying that Washington is struggling because of a lack of community spirit?? And all the while taking pot shots again (hog baron?) It's negative people like you that keeps a community from growing; it's negative people like you that are always stirring the pot...let me ask you, how is your community spirit? Did you volunteer any hours on Munchkinland when it was built? Did you volunteer any hours when the new EMS/Firestation was built? Do you do ANYTHING to help your community, or do you just complain about the others that do try to make a difference, whether its starting a new business such as the dog treat place & Mayberrys or when soemeone new wants to come to town such as a theatre or Gambinos? I have copied a segment of your post from February of this year, will it be happening any time soon? My advice to you is that you should leave D.T. to his perfect world here in Washington County Kansas and get the heck out of here. That is my intention.
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