Monday, September 17, 2007

storefront

Photo Sharing and Video Hosting at Photobucket

This is a storefront that represents small town America. It's in Plano, Illinois but it could be in an one of a thousand communities across this land. It's in stark contrast to the slick storefronts at the "lifestyle" mall about 10 miles from here. I never seem dressed up enough to enter some of those places. Adrienne Vittadini has shuttered her shop at the mall. It seems that the demographics of our community haven't yet shifted fully in her favor. Farm & Fleet is doing quite well just 10 miles east.

Yet looking at the photo I realize that this image exists in large urban areas, just not in the swanky shopping venues. All the little neighborhoods surrounding downtown Chicago have thousands of small independent businesses, many with their own ethnic identities.

I believe I'm dressed just fine to enter this office supply store.

4 comments:

Ava said...

What a great picture! Yes, that is a store that I would also be dressed well enough to enter.

I don't know about you ... but I'm a jeans and t-shirt gal. (grin)

Anonymous said...

I'm glad you're back and "local" again. Nice to see the local flavor. ;-)

Unknown said...

Imagine my surprise to see this picture! I grew up in Plano and my mother still lives there. My friend Dave worked in this shop during my high school (his college) years. I spent many a happy hour here perusing their wares while Dave tended to his job, and many more hours here after hours, watching Dave and his friend Eric play some kind of game on the business' back-office computer. I love this store and it is (or at least was--I don't know if ownership has changed) owned by a really nice lady who didn't mind us kids hanging around her during and after business hours.

Thanks for the memories.

Muffin Recipes said...

Great blog you have herre