Help keep Norris Avenue a vibrant place

If you compare McCook's downtown business district with towns of similar size, the local central shopping area ranks among the most thriving and forward-looking in the Midlands.

Up and down Norris Avenue, over on West First and down C Street, McCook is blessed with a number of progressive and aggressive retail, financial, service and professional firms.

Continuing a McCook tradition which has existed since the town's founding in 1882, the downtown district is dominated by home-owned and managed independent business enterprises.

But, while proud and strong, McCook's downtown core businesses must be ever mindful of the need to work together and to find new retail and service establishments to fill the storefronts that become vacant.

At this time, there are two available locations which need attention. One is the former Amy Fashions' space located at 219 Norris Ave. and the other is the Johnson Jewelers store at 314 Norris Ave.

The building formerly occupied by Amy's Fashions is owned by Mark Wilcox and is available for sale or lease. It is a spacious building, with rough-hewn wood siding inside. The decor was installed during the time Brass Buckle occupied the store.

The Johnson Jewelers' location, owned by David Doss, will be available soon. Located at 314 Norris Ave., the store is now in the midst of a going-out-of-business sale and will be offered for sale after a real estate valuation is completed. The building was purchased by the late Chet Johnson, a jeweler who first came to McCook in 1968.

Two things need to happen. First, individuals with business ideas need to explore their options, talking to bankers, real estate firms and established business people about their plans. After all, that's how every business in the downtown area began: with an idea. Just ask Mike Ford at Knowlen & Yates, Laura Ford at Country Floral, and Matt and Shelly Sehnert at Sehnert's Bakery and the Bieroc Cafe. Along with scores of other business people up and down Norris Avenue and throughout the business district, they have succeeded because they had a vision which they pursued with energy and enthusiasm.

That brings us to the second part of the retail development equation. For continued success downtown, existing merchants must get actively involved with the McCook Chamber of Commerce and the McCook Economic Development Corp. in the pursuit of new businesses.

Combine that with individuals who want to pursue business ideas and McCook's downtown business district will continue to move forward.