Richmond, Indiana: Full Service

Sonny's Standard Service West Side. (click on image to enlarge)

Richmond, Indiana: Sanders

Sanders Jewelry and Hoppe Jewelers (Jan 5, 20011 post) share the same intersection (8 th and Main Street). Hoppe is having a huge sale and closing their store. Sanders is cutting prices to compete. Good opportunity for customers. Not so good for store owners. (click on image to enlarge)

No!!

Growing up, I spent a great deal of time playing baseball, basketball and tennis at the local schools. Most of the time these were organized sports - practice/games. Often there were so many players, you had to wait your turn to play. Here, in Richmond, that is not possible without permission from the school administration. As a result the playing areas are mostly vacant and unused. Times change and the "suits" reign. (click on image to enlarge)

Yes

Starting the week off on a positive note. Tomorrow's post will offer the other side. (click on image to enlarge)

Richmond, Indiana: Husson Block

Once a proud building located East of the downtown. The Husson Block is unused and abandoned but not empty. (click on image to enlarge)

Richmond, Indiana: Second Chance

s Second Chance storefront church. This second one to be found along Main Street. A grassroots organization meeting the needs of the times. (click on image to enlarge)

Richmond, Indiana: Hoppe Jewelers

One of Indiana's most established family businesses, Hoppe Jewelers has been a fine jewelry and gift retailer since 1951. They recently opened a retail outlet in a strip mall near a Wal-Mart shopping center. The Richmond downtown location is now being "retired". Soon be be another vacant store along Main Street. (click on image to enlarge)

Magi c Studio Richmond, Indiana

Yet, another Tat Studio. This one on Main Street. Tattoo's once a minor art form - bikers, sailors, etc.-now mainstream. Lost count of how many are located here, as they come and go so quickly. (click on image to enlarge)

Richmond, Indiana: The Goods

A new retail businesses along Main Street. Many vacant storefronts often imply lower rents. These reduced rents allow opportunities that previously didn't exist. Main Street is now able to offer a different type of goods and services. (click on image to enlarge)

Sign of the Times

Signs like this are everywhere along Main Street in Richmond. Where once there were retail stores alive with goods and services, we now have silent and vacant buildings. Many merchants have given up and closed, while others have moved to strip malls and shopping centers. Times are difficult and shopping habits have changed. Saturday night cruising and shopping is a but a distant memory. (click on image to enlarge)

2011: Fresh Start.

Spent the morning doing a walk about in downtown Richmond, Indiana. In a year I will return, observe what has lasted and what has not. Will start the new year on a positive note. A new beginning and coming soon. Sounds good. Will certainly give it a go. (click on image to enlarge)