Posted by oldtanker on November 16, 2013 at 22:20:34 from (66.228.255.116):
Don't want to highjack the other thread:
What happened in our area from 72 to present occurred before Wal Mart put in a store 17 miles away from Battle Lake MN.
The farm economy collapsed. Many small farms disappeared. That greatly reduced the customer base for the small town stores. With fewer farms the need for train service for freight (grain, lumber yard and Ford/New Holland AG and autos) died and the tracks were pulled out. Elevator closed and so did the Ford dealer. Jobs disappeared. The locals had to start commuting to larger communities to work. When they left for work the stores were not open. By the time they got home the stores were closed. Again reducing the customer base because of conflicts in operating hours. Battle Lake lost the Ford New Holland dealer, elevator, one hardware, a clothing store, 1 grocery and other businesses through the years. Population is steady but most people drive to other towns to work. They stop at places like Wal Mart, K Mart, Target, Fleet Farm, Service Foods and Home Depot on their way home if they need something because nothing but the bar, C stores and bowling ally are open by the time they get home. Also back in the day many locals, both town and farmers were not going to waste time and gas driving elsewhere to shop. Today people here don't think anything about going to the larger towns to shop.
Yea it's sad. But you cannot blame it entirely on the box stores. Part is because of economic changes that saw a lost of local jobs. Part because the business owners didn't truly serve their customers by simply changing business hours to accommodate them and their new hours and part is the price point shoppers. Another change that few seem to address is the fact that many families now have to have both parents working so mom isn't home to shop in town.
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