Spring Break
A day without Western
Ben Snowden
Issue date: 4/16/07 Section: News
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Whether college students are buying cookies and chips at HyVee or purchasing 30-packs of beer from House of Bottles Liquors, they stimulate Macomb's economy.
Without question, this small town benefits fiscally from Western Illinois University. If the college suddenly disappeared, local businesses would lose a large portion of their customers and employees. This change would force bars to downsize staff, liquor stores to relocate and sell groceries and other establishments to completely change their marketing strategies.
In Macomb, the college crowd may benefit local bars more than any other kind of businesses. During the night, Western students relax and drink at the Ritz or check out local bands at The Café. Other bars, like The Forum/Two Dogs and the Change of Pace, provide a dance-friendly atmosphere.
At several of these establishments, students make up the majority of customers and employees. According to Abe Olson, the Pace's general manager, an estimated 85 percent of his employees attend Western.
"If the college wasn't here, I'd have to downsize the staff," Olson said. "We wouldn't be as successful, and we wouldn't have as many people working during nights."
During Western's seasonal breaks, Olson stays in Macomb. He said business at his bar is slower during these periods, but the Pace usually reaches 80 percent capacity.
Before the college kids hit the bar scene, they often drink, or "pre-game," at their apartments and residence hall rooms.
There are several alcohol-friendly businesses in Macomb, from the House of Bottles to West Pierce Liquors to H&H Package Liquors. Even stores like HyVee, CVS Pharmacy and Niemann's County Market sell booze to students 21 and older.
Pierce Liquors Manager Gwynne Mangieri said students account for 90 percent of the store's business and 85 percent of its employees. She said the college crowd frequents the liquor store because of its laid-back atmosphere, proximity to campus and supply of popular items.
Without question, this small town benefits fiscally from Western Illinois University. If the college suddenly disappeared, local businesses would lose a large portion of their customers and employees. This change would force bars to downsize staff, liquor stores to relocate and sell groceries and other establishments to completely change their marketing strategies.
In Macomb, the college crowd may benefit local bars more than any other kind of businesses. During the night, Western students relax and drink at the Ritz or check out local bands at The Café. Other bars, like The Forum/Two Dogs and the Change of Pace, provide a dance-friendly atmosphere.
At several of these establishments, students make up the majority of customers and employees. According to Abe Olson, the Pace's general manager, an estimated 85 percent of his employees attend Western.
"If the college wasn't here, I'd have to downsize the staff," Olson said. "We wouldn't be as successful, and we wouldn't have as many people working during nights."
During Western's seasonal breaks, Olson stays in Macomb. He said business at his bar is slower during these periods, but the Pace usually reaches 80 percent capacity.
Before the college kids hit the bar scene, they often drink, or "pre-game," at their apartments and residence hall rooms.
There are several alcohol-friendly businesses in Macomb, from the House of Bottles to West Pierce Liquors to H&H Package Liquors. Even stores like HyVee, CVS Pharmacy and Niemann's County Market sell booze to students 21 and older.
Pierce Liquors Manager Gwynne Mangieri said students account for 90 percent of the store's business and 85 percent of its employees. She said the college crowd frequents the liquor store because of its laid-back atmosphere, proximity to campus and supply of popular items.
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