October 22, 2010

By: Brittain V. from Washington , DC
Comments: 15

Posted By: Brittain Villaflor
On: 5/3/2008 6:16:28 PM

I was interested in finding out if anyone out there has participated in studies with their class concerning the introduction of retail (Target, Best Buy, Starbucks, trendy restaurants) into a previously "mom and pop store" residential area. Our school is located in Columbia Heights - an area of urban renewal in northwest Washington, DC. The arrival of a huge Target has not only changed the landscape but has changed the feel of our area. I would like to explore this with my kids (1st/2nd graders) but I'm not sure where to start or what direction to take.

Posted By: Elizabeth Roszak
On: 5/8/2008 4:35:05 PM

It's funny to me, a Minnesota girl(the birthplace of Target) to hear someone talking about Target taking over "mom and pop" stores. For me, that was our "mom and pop" store! I wonder if you could get pictures of before and afters of communities that have had this happen to them. I also wonder if you could get pictures of areas around the country that all look the same (because of the recognizable retail businesses) and have the students guess where in the country/world the picture is from?

Posted By: Kelley Oxley
On: 5/13/2008 12:04:25 AM

It would be neat for students to interview family members about what the landscape of the area used to look like. Maybe students and family could work to develop a visual representation of the area's past appearance. Then, I think it would be interesting help define what a "mom and pop" used to be like; more importantly, what did it FEEL like? I think students may get answers that discuss a "relationship" with the owner of the store, a familial feel, etc...

Posted By: Jacqueline Taylor
On: 5/17/2008 11:03:54 PM

I think it's great that children are being taught to look at the impact of retail, as it drives much of our economy. Most of our city of New Orleans is being built from the bottom up. Some buisinesses are looking much like they did in the "mom and pop" era. Others have an entirely new look. Jacqueline Taylor, John Dibert School, New Orleans, LA

Posted By: Beverly Cook
On: 5/19/2008 11:07:10 AM

I like what Borders has done to the old and beautiful Bultman funeral home on St. Charles. They kept the shell of the building and will build its store within it. I'm not crazy haing a national chain bookstore - it makes the independents work that much harder to stay afloat, but at least this one kept the integrity of the neighborhood in its design.

Posted By: Elizabeth Roszak
On: 5/28/2008 10:40:18 AM

In Saint Paul, Minnesota we have an area of well-preserved Victorian homes along one avenue. THe avenue next to it is a retail street. The chamber of commerce and the other powers that be are working hard to retain the feel of the "mom and pop" stores by encouraging well designed store fronts and buildings. There are the basic stores such as J.Crew and Pottery Barn but they blend in well with the independent stores because of the careful planning. I would like to see pictures of New Orleans business districts.

Posted By: Elizabeth Fletcher
On: 5/28/2008 5:02:13 PM

New Orleans' business districts have changed so much over the years. There used to be a several African American districts, but they are no more. Does anyone know of resources that would have photographs of that?

Posted By: Aisha Madhi
On: 6/1/2008 12:28:44 AM

Elizabeth, would the Times-Picayune be a possible resource? I'm not sure if they may have an on-line image archive. I think your point is valid as many of the displaced residents of New Orleans presumably belonged to the African American business community. Best of luck in your search! Aisha

Posted By: Frances Brown
On: 7/24/2008 4:09:08 PM

Elizabeth, in reference to African American business districts - the area around Broad Street and Bayou Road is coming back. There's the Community Book Center, A Petite Creole Plantation - which is a Bed & Breakfast, Jordan's Learning Village, Mchardy's Chicken, a barber and beauty shop along with several other business that have reopened in this predominantly African American area of the city. Today, the design of the brick-lined street serves as the centerpiece of a tight-knit community struggling to return near the New Orleans Fair Grounds.