Editorial: The changing face of university area stores

Today, following the tremendous growth of Maricopa County, that same main drag, Mill Avenue, bears only a slight resemblance to its sleepy forbear. The street is now straddled by the Teflon and stainless steel grandeur of chain eateries and multiplexes. The face of Tempe is now Gordon Biersch and Hooters, and the few independent bookstores, bars and coffee shops remaining seem quaintly out of place.

In much the same way, East University Boulevard just west of Main Gate, has gradually shifted in architecture and offerings over the last several years. Where Gentle Ben's was once a charming brew pub in a rundown and reputedly haunted house, the brewery now bustles at a sleek two story location that calls to mind restaurant chains like Gordon Biersch. National names like the Gap and Johnny Rocket's seem to have found the neighborhood and UA students' disposable cash a welcome business environment.

The next year will see continued change to the face of business near Main Gate as the area's landlord, the non-profit Marshall Foundation, goes ahead with plans for a movie theater along North Park Avenue between Arizona Bookstore and East Second Street. Restaurants in the block such as Mama's Pizza, Taco Bron and Park Avenue Cafe will face a move or closure.

"It takes money to build these buildings - you look for a fair return," Marshall Foundation President Charles Jackson told the Arizona Daily Wildcat. "Mom and Pop are fine but it's a matter of what your needs are."

Though the foundation had offered all three restaurants other spaces in the Main Gate area, they declined, Jackson said.

And so, the skyline of Tucson around the university continues to change, to grow, perhaps, more responsive to the demographics of the area, but, perhaps, at the cost of the distinct flavors of a community.

With every passing year, in the city of Tucson at large, one reads stories about independent retail outfits folding in the face of competition from larger, national retailers. Call it the Borders effect, if you will. The Book Mark, for example, recently announced it will close it's doors after 40 years. Following the opening of Borders Books and Music the store reportedly lost about $500,000 over three years. The consequences, as anyone who has seen "You've Got Mail" can tell you, are that, while consumers may pay less, consumer choice is limited as large chain stores push only the hottest novels on their precious shelves.

Americans are the most notable consumers in history and businesses exist to make money. Thus, as Arizona grows, development will alter the sleepy skylines of cities like Tucson and Tempe. So, in the time still left, stop by the Park Avenue Cafe have a falafel and read some obscure radical tome. In the multiplex world, that kind of conspiracy is ever more important.