In the coming weeks, thousands of students will be leaving Bloomington as the spring semester ends. These people are not just students, but participants in the city's local economy, which has a thriving business community centered near the IU campus.
Christopher Emge, director of advocacy and public policy for the Bloomington Chamber of Commerce, said business is definitely down during the summer. Many downtown homes will be vacant, and fewer students will be staying in Bloomington for summer classes.meanwhile Summer 2023 semesterJust under 4,000 students are enrolled in at least one on-campus class, compared to more than 8,800 students taking classes entirely online.
In addition to purchasing products from local businesses, students are employed by local businesses and work off-campus. But declines in both business and staffing could work in some companies' favor, Emge said.
“We know from just talking to some companies that some employees left over the summer, but we need to reduce our workforce,” Emge said. “So, it kind of worked out. If you need a little less help, there's less help available to fit your schedule.”
Businesses located in downtown Bloomington and near campuses face threats beyond significant population loss. For the first time since 2019, some sections of Kirkwood Avenue will not be closed to motor vehicle traffic during the summer.
of Expanding outdoor dining programThe system, which was implemented in 2020, was created to combat capacity restrictions due to the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19), but has remained in place since then. The 2023 Kirkwood closure included blocks between Grant Street and Dunn Street, Dunn Street and Indiana Avenue, and Washington Street and Walnut Street.
The city won't continue to close Kirkwood in 2024 because: hidden river path project, which would result in a portion of Indiana Street being closed for construction. Kirkwood Avenue must remain open for redirected traffic. Emge said the reaction from chamber members has been largely positive.
“I think businesses are always looking forward to whether they are open or closed in order to plan ahead,” Emge said.
Even when students leave Bloomington, college camps, summer programs, and new student orientation keep visitors coming to Bloomington during the summer. Kylie Dorantes, manager of clothing store Pitaya, said that although business has been slow, shipments have not decreased and the store will not lose many staff members.
Even if students leave Bloomington, other programs bring visitors to Bloomington during the summer.
“We're definitely slower,” Dorantes said. “But there are random camps that IU does that keep us busy on random weeks.”
Austin Albin, assistant manager at Parlor Donuts on Kirkwood Avenue, said the store will see reduced revenue over the summer. Staff schedules will be reduced and fewer supplies ordered. Weekends can be busy, Alvin said, but weekdays are slow.
“We will be ordering less fabric,” Alvin said. “Coffee still sells pretty regularly because we still have summer school, but people still come here to drink coffee and sometimes study, but the dough has definitely decreased. Donuts. The number of sales has decreased.”
Alvin said he doesn't know how the cancellation of the expanded outdoor dining program will affect business, but he imagines Kirkwood's increased walkability over the past summer may have been a plus. .
Alvin said, “We're a little hard to see. You might not notice us if you were driving by, but if you happen to see a donut shop while walking, why not take a look?'' Ta.
