2. Prior to the vote on the theater, the neighborhood voted to make loan funds available to the owners of the restaurant taking over the space where Nan's used to be. If we want the new restaurant to succeed, why would we vote to have a direct competitor move in at the same time the restaurant is trying to make a name for itself and establish a regular customer base?
WM: Your question is partly about timing, about which I know zip when it comes to restaurants. But after listening to the businessmen in my area for years, it appears that the received wisdom is that more than one restaurant begets more trade, implying that two restaurants are better than one. (Isn't that a commercial or something?)
A. Hoberg wrote:
"someone has sent out a strange mailing to neighbors in the area warning folks to look out for the GAY BAR!!!! and the SUBSIDIZED HOUSING!!! moving to the neighborhood."
I haven't seen the flyer yet but it sounds pretty ugly. I truly hope this doesn't turn into a "northeast is racist and homophobic" because my experience so far is that this simply isn't true. My partner and I have been warmly welcomed by the neighbors on our block. If pink flamingos and rainbow flags are any indication, there are plenty of gays and lesbians in the blocks around us as well. I see young women and men of color with their babies in strollers walking past our house all the time and the basketball court down the street from us is filled every afternoon and night with young men (and even a few women) of color. It doesn't look any different to me than Loring Park.
WM: Once upon a time, Northeast was very insular. It was unique in that it had an Eastern Orthodox/Eastern European base that was very strong. (Walt Dzeidzic was a young cop at the time, to date it. Circumstances have conspired to encourage Dzeidzic to make some changes in his outlook., though there are probably still some aging dinosaurs around with their undies in a bunch.) If they get no response to their panic and fear, the issue is dead as a kipper on a cracker. Your own experience is telling you that Northeast has changed and that most of the people weren't really bloody minded to begin with. Kewl, huh? BTW pink flamingos have been recaptured by the general population and are, at least around my neighborhood GLBTs, "so five minutes ago."
The project has a number of hurdles to jump before it is finally implemented. I'm hoping rational people of all persuasions and races will prevail in future neighborhood discussions so what's best for the neighborhood has a better chance of becoming reality. Maybe the people who sent this letter don't even live in NE.
WM: Maybe they live in the Nordeast of their nostalgia, not in the moment. If they show up at the meeting, listen for the tone of what is said.
WizardMarks, Central ________________________________
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