Left me wondering what these ships actually looked like. You can find that here.
I'll admit, my sense of protectionism kicked in a bit. Not only will the Black Dog store compete with many of the offerings already downtown, but the ships might do the same for our existing marine-based businesses, many of which also rent from New England Development.
But I'm holding onto the general theory that these shops and ships could be a large enough draw to, if you'll pardon the cliche, raise the tide for all the downtown boats, land-based or otherwise.
It certainly beats an empty storefront.
Photo taken from the web site for the Black Dog ships.
8 comments:
I think the Tall Ships will be phenomenal and are a great nod to the city's history. And they'll certainly be an attraction for out-of-towners...
Yes, but where would they go? Have you seen the mob scene at the docks in the summer, especially on weekends?
After giving the article a closer read I get the sense the ships won't be any more than regular visitors, if that.
"Ramming speed" should clear a space or two at the docks.
What's being lost here is the fact that this is another non-local business setting up shop. Though they might bring in more tourists and create more business for other shops, the dollars earned will flow out of the community not circulate in the community. Now if the business said they would employ local carpenters, bank locally, engage local legal services, etc., then we'd have a new business that actually was a benefit to our local economy.
Your premise isn't lost. I threw it away. Sorry, I don't buy it.
First, a local business owner isn't necessarily going to use a local bank, lawyer or what not.
Second, the Black Dog will hire local people to work in the store. No one's going to drive an hour to work there. Where is that money going to go?
Thirds, I really feel the figures put forth by the chain/formula store folks didn't necessarily represent the studies they quoted. Wrote about that here. http://www.newburyportposts.com/2007/12/ban-talk-where-does-dollar-go.html
Finally, if just one person who comes to Newburyport to buy a silly t-shirt enhances their shopping experience with an ice cream from Gram's or a Coffee from Fowle's then the Black Dog already has had a more positive economic effect than a large empty storefront.
Thanks for writing. I missed this chatter.
Hey anonymous, did you know that most of the cooks at Michael's and 10 Center St are Brazillian? it's true, and most of them live in cheap housing provided by Newburyport Development. Man, that must make your blood boil!
I'm not a big fan of The Black Dog, but the argument that they're not going to help our local economy because they are based on Martha's Vineyard is...yawn...tired.
Maybe even more important than local ownership of the shops is where the products have been made. As an example T-shirts from China are just as bad whether from Walmart or a local shop.
I'm not sure how you get a grip on that aspect. But local apples have got to be better for local economics than apples from Chili. And if there were locally made shoes, suits, etc.even better.
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