AJC > Sandy Springs > Blog > Archives > 2006 > October > 02
Monday, October 2, 2006
Should some businesses be forced out of town?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Last week pawnshops around our fair little village became the latest business to feel the weight of our new government.
The city has imposed new fees on these businesses and that has caused predictable whining. I don’t really have an opinion because I haven’t been in a pawnshop since a guy (in another county) tried to sell me a fake Rolex for $2,000.
It is interesting to note, however, that the businesses making headlines in the last several months include pawnshops, nightclubs frequented by the young and adult-oriented businesses (porn merchants and nude dance clubs).
I’m not alleging the city is trying to run any of these out of town, but it’s of note that all three are hardly mainstream businesses. By mainstream I mean none of the three probably show up on most people’s weekly itinerary.
In an average week, most people probably hit the grocery, the pharmacy, the dry-cleaners, fast-food restaurants and a discount store. Our little home may not be typical, but I promise the following has never been said in the Osterman domicile:
“Wow! Look at the price of fresh shrimp. Honey, would you swing by the pawnshop and hock my wedding ring?”
“I couldn’t sleep last night so I tried going to a packed bar with music blasting in my ears and got [drunk] at 2 a.m. I thought it might relax me.”
“Well, we celebrated our anniversary at that club where women take off all their clothes and gyrate for dollar bills. Then we walked down the street and bought some porn and faux-fur handcuffs.”
Some owners of these businesses contend the city is trying to ease them out of town by imposing new rules and fees. I can’t speak for the mayor and City Council, but I would hope they aren’t burning a lot of time trying to create a commercial utopia.
The bigger question is how do those of us living here feel about these places? I wish the naked-lady dance club and porn palaces were gone. I have nothing against the nightclubs, nor do I care if there are a few pawnshops across the landscape.
Are we a less desirable place to live with such businesses in town? Do we want any legal businesses forced out of town and why? Do we want any elected body defining what is acceptable?
We’d best think before we answer.
