8 JAN 09: The Death of the Blues
It's probably not a joking matter for a lot of people. But the U.S. recession is becoming SO DEEP that President-elect Obama may promote his economic stimulus plan at the edge of the Grand Canyon.
Wednesday brought more confirmation of tough times in our area. WRBL confirmed what I thought I'd noticed in Phenix City last weekend - Broad Street Blues is closed, with the building up for sale. You know things are bad when people have the financial blues, but a blues club can't afford to stay open and sing about them.
The manager of Broad Street Blues didn't blame his problems completely on the recession. He claimed business was hurt by the Phenix City Streetscape project. He's not alone in that view. Streetscape probably hurt any chance of Jeff Hardin running for a second term as mayor.
We noted three years ago that competing blues clubs might be opening on either side of the Chattahoochee River [6 Sep 06]. Backyard Blues on First Avenue in Columbus only seemed to open for special events. There's nothing to mark it anymore - except when the building owners show up for maintenance, and their dog chases joggers like me across the street.
The latest estimate from Phenix City officials is that Streetscape should be finished by April. That means it will be at least seven months behind schedule, so Broad Street had better be impressive -- with a top-notch statue of Bubba Roberts in the median.
Should we also blame Streetscape for a closing several blocks away, and off Broad Street? Tedi's Coffee and SweeTreats on 13th Street has closed as well. A coffee shop at the west end of the 13th Street bridge ought to be in a prime location. Yet I get the feeling the Family Dollar store across the street is closer to Phenix City budgets.
We stopped at Tedi's once last year, and were stunned to find one lemon muffin sold for three dollars [15 May 08]. By comparison, the new Dunkin Donuts shop in downtown Columbus looks downright cheap at two doughnuts for $1.80.
To be fair, Tedi's may have shown up in downtown Phenix City too soon. A coffee shop on 13th Street might do well, once Troy University builds its new building and The Phenixian condominium building opens. Unless, of course, the Piggly Wiggly store starts offering free coffee and chocolate chip cookies at the entrance.
The business closing announcement which made national news Wednesday involved a store on Bradley Park Drive. Goody's department stores are going into liquidation -- and it should go without saying that for employees, this is a Baddy.
I found some, uh, good sale prices on men's clothing at Goody's. But it's shared a shopping center with Target, which had to pose a challenge. The clothing prices may be lower, but Market Pantry chocolate chip cookies simply are too good.
But not all the economic news was bad Wednesday. Valley Hospitality began a two-day job fair, to fill positions at the soon-to-open Doubletree Hotel. The line of job-seekers at the Trade Center reportedly stretched out the door - and some people were surprised when Mayor Wetherington did NOT show up with applications to be a police officer.
And what do you know - chocolate chip cookies are an issue here as well. You may have seen the billboard along I-185 promoting Doubletree's complimentary cookies for guests. I enjoyed one once, at a hotel near the San Francisco airport. But I was disappointed when they weren't on the counter at the breakfast bar.
We hope your finances are in good shape, as we check other Wednesday news:
+ Tickets went on sale for this year's "St. Jude Dream Home." This home shows how our economy could be much worse. It's NOT being built in March by college students, in a Habitat for Humanity work project.
+ The Columbus State men's basketball team picked up a much-needed win, by beating nationally-ranked Clayton State 61-57. Clayton State still calls its sports teams the Lakers - which tells me the little lake on campus has water pumped into it, even during drought.
+ Two Georgia football stars announced they'll enter the N.F.L. draft. Quarterback Matthew Stafford is a junior, and could be the top draft pick. But running back Knowshon Moreno is a sophomore - and probably will face a training camp with teammates calling him Know-little.
+ Instant Message to Rolling Impressions: I think I've figured this out. Your drivers are barred from going more than 30 miles per hour, because then the ads on your trucks become a blur. But when I'm stuck behind you for blocks on Veterans Parkway, I still don't think that helps your cause.
SONG OF THE DAY: Wednesday's special event in Washington was a meeting of one current President, three former Presidents and one President-elect. We decided it was worth writing a special song....
COMING FRIDAY: A Midtown business owner sets the record straight....
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