We live in rural, small-town America. The population was 530 at the 2010 census. And now in November 2017, the population sign as you come into town reads “Population 487.” Bayfield is a destination location during the summer for tourists from around the country and the world.
Come mid to late October, the tourists are gone and many of the shops and lodging locations shutter their doors for the winter months. The hustle and bustle of the summer months are great for all who live and work here, and we’re also thankful for the peace and quiet of the winter months.
There are times during the winter months while driving downtown that the city appears to take on ghost town status. Parking along the main street is wide open, and businesses are shuttered. In times like these that I begin to ponder, ruminate and wonder what would happen if…?
Over these next 10 blog postings, I’m going to highlight random business properties in our town. The photos were randomly taken. There are new buildings, empty storefronts, and unimproved real-estate.
Let’s begin our journey with new construction. This building is currently going up in downtown. It is reported that it will contain several new retail shops and apartments on the second floor. New construction is great and stimulates the economy across several sectors.
I question the new construction given the number of empty storefronts that are currently available in town. Are the potential new business’s so unique that only new construction will meet their business plan requirements? Conversely is it cost prohibitive to renovate and possibly have to bring up to code, a current building?
I certainly hope that the new businesses locating in the new building are successful, being off the main street in town. New retailers in the new building will be relying on tourists who are wandering around town and not those who are simply driving through town and see their shop and decide to stop.