8/30/2005

Local shops offer flavor

By JESSICA JORDAN

As more corporate-owned businesses move alongside locally-owned shops into downtown Athens, some students fear the chains may detract from the town’s eclectic character.

The recent introduction of T-Mobile next to Starbucks Coffee, as well as a newly- proposed Ben & Jerry’s Ice Cream location in the downtown area — tentatively scheduled to open in October on College Avenue — have caused many students to wonder what impact these chains will have upon their favorite locally- owned businesses.

Rachel Collins, a freshman from Eton, said she makes an attempt to shop at local stores because they have more interesting merchandise.

“ Athens is known for having quirky stores, and it’s not as appealing to go downtown if there are just chain stores because you can get that stuff anywhere,” she said.

Athenians have long been wary of corporate chains moving into downtown.

In 1999, despite Starbucks’ claim that there had been many requests from Athens citizens for a downtown location, the announcement of the coffee chain’s opening was met with much protest, said Alan Richardson, Southeast regional marketing manager of Starbucks Coffee Co.

“We want to provide a choice in the community,” said Richardson. “The proximity to the University of Georgia was very appealing to us. Students are certainly our customer base, as well as their parents and everyone in the Athens community.”

Despite the big-name competition, employees of locally owned Hot Corner Coffee and Espresso Royale feel confident their loyal customers will not stray.

“Starbucks may have the upper hand as far as products are concerned, but Hot Corner is definitely an Athens niche,” said Hot Corner employee Zach White. “Chains are able to give people what they want, but businesses like Hot Corner disrupt the monotony of chains,” he said.

“Smaller stores such as Hot Corner have a more relaxed atmosphere,” said Collins, a Hot Corner regular.

Kurt Donaldson, manager for Espresso Royale, another chain in town, said that business dropped slightly when Starbucks opened, but many customers returned.

“I feel we have an edge over Starbucks because we use local bakers and make some of our own stuff,” he said.

Chains are not all bad news for downtown. Economics Dept. Head in the Terry College of Business William Lastrapes believes competition is beneficial to consumers.

Chain stores view downtown as a viable place to do business, allowing more choices for consumers, he said.

Their presence fills building vacancies, keeps property values up and provides diversity in the bar-filled district, Lastrapes said.

“In general, chains are a good thing for downtown Athens ,” Lastrapes said. “Although it may ultimately mean local businesses go under... it will urge local businesses to do an even better job.”

©Red & Black Publishing 2005

 

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