With a family full of December birthdays, we learned years ago that it was easier to have one big, joint celebration than to try to coordinate everyone’s schedules around the holidays.
Because most of our family lives in the Dallas area, many of our big family gatherings take place in the Metroplex. For years we would gather at Lawry’s The Prime Rib in Addison for our annual celebratory dinner, but as our family grew, the restaurant stopped agreeing to seat our party of nine in the main dining room.
A few years ago, we started going to Randy’s Steakhouse in downtown Frisco instead (my step-dad knew Randy through the Chamber of Commerce) and it has been the best experience.
The food and drinks are incredible, the staff is extremely accommodating and they give us a private room where we can enjoy a family-friendly fine dining experience with our young kiddos. (The occasional spill or dropped silverware is no big deal.)
Imagine our surprise when we recently saw Randy on the news, seeking support from the city and the community on behalf of the businesses on Frisco’s Main Street. City road construction has caused a major decline in business -- so much so that 20 businesses have shut down since the work has started. He was pleading with folks to help “save Main.”
Our dinners at Randy’s are more than just good food. We have some of the best laughs, conversations and memories made around their table. So we decided to up our support of this business and went there last weekend for my step-dad’s birthday.*
While there, we were happy to see that the place was filling up. A woman wearing a birthday sash was celebrating with a large table of friends. Down the hall, a spacious party room was full of teens dressed up for their Homecoming dance. People were showing up to support this business that has been a steward in that community for the past 30 years. The waitstaff was grateful, Randy himself looked relieved and I was encouraged.
And then I started thinking about Whitesboro’s downtown. If a 30-year-old successful business in a booming city like Frisco can suffer because people aren’t showing up, imagine what lack of shoppers means for the small businesses of Whitesboro.
We’re already starting to see it. Right now, there are six empty storefronts downtown. While the reasons range from lack of customers to rising cost of rent, the issue doesn’t just impact the businesses that are leaving. With fewer businesses downtown, there is less to attract shoppers to visit the other stores on Main Street, so even the businesses who remain are suffering. The problem is exponential.
While I’d love to see our Economic Development Corporation come up with some creative ways to attract new businesses to help fill in our emptying downtown, the success of our current storefronts starts with us, the citizens.
In a small town like ours, the idea of “shop local” isn’t just a charming catchphrase. It’s the difference between a thriving small town and an anemic ghost town. In order for local businesses to succeed (whether they’re located on Main Street or off the highway), we as a community have to show up.
Attend local events. Purchase items in town when possible. Visit that new local restaurant. By doing so, you’re not only supporting area neighbors and friends; you’re keeping sales tax revenue in town.
While we haven’t quite reached the dire situation that Frisco’s downtown is facing, it’s an important wake-up call. If a long-standing business in a city of 239,842 people can struggle to keep its doors open due to lack of foot traffic, it can certainly happen here.
Let’s all do our part to “save Main.”
* His birthday card and gifts were purchased from local stores in Whitesboro.