interesting, how big is the city? has it been declining for long?
I live in a blue collar factory town right outside of Milwaukee. Therre's a factory on the main street that's half the length of the city and the city's fortunes pretty much rise and fall on that. There's been quite the uptick in jobs in the state and that factory in particular so in some ways things are looking up. The empty storefronts are a legacy of years gone by and different attitudes toward shopping. Also seeing that we border Lake Michigan, businesses can only draw from a 180 degree radius.
One thing going for us is that cities are back in, dovetailing into your comment on DUI tickets, places you can walk to or catch an Uber to are doing well. Even in this digital world people still want to interface.
I dont get business. How do you make a profit selling a plate of cheap mexican food in a small town?
Now theres 4 of them you say?
My data shows the decline of 6000 pop to 3000pop
1) factories closed
2) people move to find work, none move in...and young kids move out...population decrease.
3) WalMart and McDonalds and AutoZone.. Subway.. chainstores...kill the town square and ma and pa shops.
The area I used to live in seemed depressed, but empty storefronts with cheap rents create opportunities for people whose dreams are thought up at the kitchen table and not in a board room. Once the pump was primed things took off and created an area full of unique non-corporate bars and restaurants. I'm hoping the same happens here.
As far as the mom and pop stores , they were a necessity back in the day but the internet has rendered them obsolete. People want choices and cheap prices. If you want an advantage as a brick and mortar you have to offer some type of service or a unique product to entice people to come your way.