Rising prices may shift nature of local business

With summer underway, it will be no surprise to business owners and officials of Bloomington if gas prices around $4 a gallon will take a toll on local businesses.\nBloomington does not seem to have suffered too badly so far. According to the City of Bloomington Convention and Visitors Bureau, the city’s tax revenues are actually up 8 percent from last year.\nNevertheless, some local businesses are not feeling so lucky.\n“With the economy (as it is), there are a lot less people buying art,” said Marcy Neiditz, gallery director at Prima Gallery. She said the past year has been exceptionally difficult for the business. “Some months it was so slow,” she said.\n“I think the economy was already difficult, and gas prices made it worse,” she said. “Personally I’ve been on a budget since last year.” That was when gas topped $3 a gallon, but this year, people are really taking notice. “It’s scary, it really is,” she said of the general economic situation.\nAmericans may also be dining out less with the present \neconomic situation. Local restaurants like Bombay House are feeling an impact. This could be partially due to the seasonal ebb in IU students, but this year things are looking especially bleak.\n“This has been the worst few weeks we’ve had,” said Vijay Rajput, owner of Bombay House. Summer is about survival, he said, and July is typically a tough month for the restaurant.\n“It slows down in the summer anyway, but it was slower this year than last year,” he said about recent weeks.\nDespite concerns, Bloomington may benefit from the situation. Economic demands may provide further incentive for locals to stay close to home, explore the region, and support local businesses and art. Thus the price of gas may actually foster a tighter-knit community. \nPam Feeney, hospitality director at Oliver Winery, said this could be a great opportunity for locals to appreciate what is around the area. \n“People are more willing to explore what’s in their own backyards,” she said. “That’s really exciting.” \nThe winery plans to market more to the local community, to let them know that they are “just down the street.”\n“There is a silver lining to all of it,” Feeney said.\nJaime Sweany, owner of Wandering Turtle Art Gallery and Gifts, said via e-mail that the increasing prices ought to make locally produced goods more attractive to consumers. She said that shipping costs have “skyrocketed” during the past couple of years.\n“However, this fact is a very good reason for shoppers to consider buying locally made art and merchandise (as well as food). This not only keeps their money and purchase impact within the local economy but they are not paying the hidden costs of having their purchases shipped to our town. They are also supporting their friends and neighbors who are making a living in the arts during tough economic times,” she said.\n“It’s a very good time for consumers to be very cognizant of who they are supporting through their consumer choices.”