Businesses react to parking meters

Parking meters were recently implemented in the entire downtown area of Bloomington. Since the parking meters have gone into effect, local business owners, employees and customers have expressed strong opinions about the recent changes.

John McGuigan, an employee at Caveat Emptor Used Books said the new parking meters are a “disaster.”

“We and other businesses have already seen a significant drop-off in sales,” he said. “Customers have been coming in and complaining about it.”

Jamis Starcs, owner and manager of Caveat Emptor Used Books said he feels more concerned than ever.

“We’re really worried that this may hurt the downtown businesses in a way that no one anticipated,” he said.

McGuigan said he was strongly opposed to the idea from the start. As a member of the Bloomington Coalition Against Parking Meters, he will remain against the meters until the next election cycle.

“We’re going to keep fighting this and hopefully do what we can to get a slated candidate who will get rid of the parking meters,” McGuigan said.

John Bailey, managing partner at Malibu Grill, who was originally a strong supporter of the plan, said he feels there are changes that need to be made.

“I still agree that we had to do it,” he said. “However, they, in my opinion, overreached.”
Bailey said he believes there is an overabundance of high-cost parking meters that puts a burden on the little guy.

“They’re charging too much right out of the box,” Bailey said, referring to the $1 per hour rate for the meters. “If I were the city, I would reduce the rates in less desirable spots.”

He also said he thinks they should change the escalation clock, because it is currently active until 10 p.m., Monday through Saturday.

“It’s incumbent on the city to make those changes as soon as they possibly can,” he said. “I’m pro-meter as so long as you absolutely don’t punish people.”

Margarete Disque-Nowak, owner of Mardon Salon, has found a way to offset the cost of parking.

The salon is now offering a 3-sample gift to its guests who feel discouraged by the parking. Disque-Nowak, who was originally opposed to the meters, said she no longer thinks they are a bad idea.  She said some businesses are actually beginning to really accept the parking meters.

“You knew it was going to happen anyway, so what are you going to do as a business owner?” Disque-Nowak asked. “It’s something that Bloomington really needs to embrace.”