Entry #644060, added on 04-06-09 @ 12:43 pm EDT
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| Observations | Entry #644060 |
I've noticed a few things in the past couple of weeks. As the economy has gotten worse, the news on TV has gotten worse also. Shootings, violence, domestic violence, theft, robbery, etc have all increased. They say people are breaking into cars parked on the streets of St. Louis to get the small amount of pocket change visible in the cup holder. I've heard several reports of fathers shooting their children and then themselves because of the hopelessness and depression they feel at not being able to provide for their family.
I worried for a while about some of my favorite places:
Mannino's Market in Cottleville with its three aisles of groceries, fruits and vegetables, single glass bakery counter, and fresh meats and butcher counter.
Ami's Italian Eatery where you can get an enormous Manhattan-style pizza, enough to feed five hungry adults, for just $19.00!
El Azteca, the little Mexican restaurant nearby which is run by a Mexican immigrant who has taken his family's recipes and created a wonderful little place where you can listen to Mexican folk music, enjoy a beautiful atmosphere, and enjoy authentic Mexican dishes prepared with care.
Instead of being worried, though, I've noticed a shift in people's attitudes toward a stronger feeling of community. Where once people frequented large national chain stores and restaurants, I've seen small, local eateries, corner grocery stores, and family-owned bakeries and butcher shops, including my favorites listed above, doing more business than ever.
Drive past Mannino's market and you'll be hard-pressed to find a spot to park. Their small lot offers 15-20 parking spaces, but you can frequently see people circling the block waiting for one to open up.
Call Ami's for a pizza, even on a Tuesday evening, and they'll ask you to give them at least 45 minutes before you come to pick it up because they're so busy. When you get there, the restaurant is usually jammed with people enjoying food, conversation, and community.
Stop for lunch or dinner at El Azteca and you'll probably have to wait for a table to open up.
Not only are people frequenting these small businesses on a more regular basis. While they are there, they're speaking to other people. Conversations cross the aisles as people at different tables strike up conversations. It may begin with "What did you order?" or "Have you ever tried ...?" These little discussions then move on to local news topics, how your family has been touched by the economy, etc. At the grocery store, women share food-stretching recipes and money-saving coupon sources while their husbands exchange work information in hopes of networking for car pools and job leads or barter their skills and services for others in return.
People in my area are walking more, and as they do, they stop to talk to others they passs or those sitting on their porch enjoying the warming spring weather. Neighbors are helping each other and sharing rides to work, school, and errands. There's talk of a neighborhood family fun day, seed sharing, a coupon exchange, and even a community vegetable garden.
The simple things are coming to the fore once again and life is slowing down as more people are staying home and enjoying family time and over-the-fence chit chat.
These are just a few of my observations. If that's what happening here where I live, I often wonder if it is happening elsewhere, too. Have you noticed similar changes where you live? I'd love to hear from you if you have. |
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