New street, fresh start

Now that the main lanes of the mid-town highway construction project have been put in place, the merchants of McCook can start planning a major coming-out party. Yes -- at long last -- it's time for a "Retail Revival" in McCook. Hit hard by the drought, the post 9-11 slowdown and the dollar drain to the Wal-Mart Superstore, McCook retailers have been in a holding pattern for the past few years. But once the smooth, all-new, five-lane highway is open to traffic through the middle of town, a wonderful opportunity exists for a fresh start.

The timing couldn't be better. With an expected completion date of late October or early November, the sleek new highway will be ready in advance of the Christmas shopping season. As a result of high cattle prices and other encouraging economic signs, all signs point to a step-up in sales and service possibilities.

The merchants are not the only ones experiencing a new beginning. After expanding the size and arrangement of McCook Clinic, local medical practitioners are experiencing an upsurge in the number of patients served. And, in a similar vein, McCook Community College is attracting increased interest in business and community classes since the opening of the expanded McMillen Hall and the top-level Ben F. Hormel Center for Business and Technology. As the completion of the mid-town highway project draws closer, the retail merchants of McCook need to unite to promote all the shopping options the community has to offer. After visiting McCook's retail district, out-of-towners are complimentary about the unique shops and friendly service McCook has to offer.

Retailers need to build on that reputation, and there is no time better to do so than right now in anticipation of the completion of the mid-town highway project. Working through the McCook Chamber of Commerce, the Main Street organization or as an independent group, the retail merchants need to unite to advertise the advantages of shopping in McCook. The business climate starts with a fine line of goods and services, and is further enhanced by friendly sales people and an overall fun-loving shopping atmosphere.

The opportunities are immense. It's time for a fresh start. Retail merchants need to unite to tell the world about the many things McCook stores have to offer.