The Omnibus

Issue date: 3/2/07 Section: Forum

Starbucks is a businesses geared towards people of all ages, including college students. So, why is it missing in Bolivar? This and many other much needed business names are missing from this community causing SBU students to travel to Springfield often to meet their needs.

For over three and half years, I have attended Southwest Baptist University and lived in Bolivar. I have lived in Bolivar during one summer and two Jan-terms. What I have noticed is a lack of local business development targeting SBU students.
For starters, there aren't many businesses in Bolivar that students know about. I can state this with confidence because I didn't even know some of these businesses existed until I started working as the advertising sales manager for the Omnibus. As I began to interact with some of these business owners, I came to realize not many students actually take part in the community or local businesses. Think about it: at what places do we spend our money at in Bolivar? Fast food? El Rodeo? Wal-Mart?
Now, I'm not trying to get onto SBU students because we don't spend our hard-earned work-study money at the local gun supply. What I am saying is Bolivar should seriously consider developing the town to facilitate more business targeting the college-aged demographic. Why is it that the only places open after midnight are Wal-Mart, fast food places, Goodson Student Union, gas stations, the late Daily Grind, the Billiards and Time-Out?
Why don't we have a Starbucks in this town? I know, I know, someone is probably going to be angry at me for mentioning an allegedly child labor-based business. Or how about a restaurant open after 10 p.m.? Why don't we have a late-night diner for us terrible, after 9 p.m. snackers? I can't count the hundreds of times that I know people have gone to IHOP or Steak-n-Shake in Springfield because they were hungry after midnight and wanted to do something spontaneous.
How about a record store or a locally owned trendy bookstore? Bolivar might not be big enough for a Barnes & Noble, but, wouldn't it be cool to be able to go a local bookstore where you could trade in books for new ones, pick up a new CD release and drink a Jones Soda?

Continued...

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