News last week that Ryan’s Clothing Store in downtown Springdale is closing made me sad.
It’s not that I shopped there. I didn’t.
To me, however, the store represented a last link to my childhood.
Nope, I am not from Springdale and we didn’t drive there from Harrison to shop.
The idea of Ryan’s reminded me of Croom’s. And Martini’s. And Sterling, Ben Franklin and Crest, the 5&10s. Those and others are the stores of my childhood.
I’m pretty close to the first in line when it comes to anything new and shiny. I like the sleek lines of 21st century retail outlets. Internet shopping? Get out of my way. I am always there first.
But when I let my mind wander, I remember how fancy-schmancy I thought Croom’s was, the mezzanine, the step down to the unmentionables area.
I don’t really remember what they sold in Martini’s, but I do remember some of the displays were table-like and even a little kid like me could see the merchandise.
And those dime stores? I remember trying to decide which store had the best candy, Sterling or Ben Franklin. I don’t think Crest carried as much candy, and it was all about the candy.
I remember when Stroud’s and Hunt’s in downtown Rogers closed. Those closings were downers, too.
But, there was always Ryan’s.
Max Ryan is retiring, thus the closing. He said no other family member was interested in operating the store. That must have made him sad.
For people of a certain age — those who remember a time when super centers and spiffy shopping centers weren’t the only game in town — downtown revitalization is important. They want generations to come to have their memories of the Croom’s, Martini’s and Ryan’s of a different decade.
You can talk all you want about the economic impact of a vibrant downtown — goodness knows it is an important factor — but it is really all about the memories. That’s why I believe retail and dining establishments are a must for downtown. I have had more than one argument about downtown hosting too many offices.
I don’t remember the Harrison square being too special in the looks department. Big courthouse in the center, storefronts surrounding it. My Grandpa’s real estate office was upstairs. We could open the window and climb out onto the flat roof of the ground-floor building.
Fancy the square wasn’t. No bump-outs with flowers. No huge farmer’s market taking up the parking spaces. No special event every Friday and Saturday night.
But there was Coffman Brother’s and Sim’s drug store. Coffman Brother’s was where we stopped almost every Sunday for a Coke in one of those little paper cups.
And there were diners. We thought we were hot stuff if we got to eat at Cedric’s or Klepper’s. Those memories are reasons I think a viable downtown needs great eateries.
Crooked Creek is nearby. What is it with planners? They are all about “river”walks. Springdale officials, in their effort to reinvigorate downtown, are going to re-open Spring Creek, which was concreted over as a part of flood control efforts. Hopefully, they will address the potential of that happening after it is re-opened.
I remember with great clarity Crooked Creek flooding Harrison. People died and buildings were lost. Now, Crooked Creek has a broad, sweeping path and is known as Lake Harrison.
Retail stores, eating establishments, watering holes. They all require private interest money to underwrite operations. Cities and groups supporting downtowns have to decide what they can do to support and encourage business owners to come and stay downtown.
More important is what people can do to support downtown businesses. We have some people in Rogers who freely admit they just don’t go downtown. I am sure there are people in every city who have the same attitude. As far as I am concerned, that attitude sucks.
I shop in all areas of Rogers, just because a store isn’t convenient doesn’t mean I ignore it. I may not go as much as I would like, but I still go.
Officials can do all they can to keep downtowns viable, but it takes residents to make that happen.
A “river” is not required to walk downtown. Just walk — you will be showing support for downtown and for an entire city.
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LEEANNA WALKER IS LOCAL EDITOR OF THE ROGERS MORNING NEWS AND THE SPRINGDALE MORNING NEWS. FOLLOW HER ON TWITTER AT WWW.TWITTER.COM/NWALEEANNA