Macomb is missing out on a lucrative business
Jake Desalvo
Issue date: 5/4/09 Section: Opinion
A recent conversation among several of my friends revealed that I am one of few who has not been to a strip club. Such an elaborate and distinguished business as this hasn't graced an area I've lived in, and I haven't had the opportunity to frequent one. I thought, "Well, I can't be missing out on that much, can I?" According to my friends, I am. Between the crowd, the drinks and the entertainment, a gentlemen's club is apparently the place to be. This got me thinking: what if Macomb had a strip club?
The obvious entertainment value aside, the answer came down to "a lot." Think about it. A bar staffed entirely by young people looking for a short-term job is the perfect candidate for a college community. Outside of the numerous job openings involved, it would provide a brand new establishment for the (of-age, of course) Western Illinois University community to frequent. Female students would have one more place to go for a source of income, and the turnover rate would allow new talent to flow in yearly as others graduate or move on. Take into account bartenders, wait staff and maintenance crew, and you have a great place of opportunity for those in need of a job.
Bars, and to a much greater extent, gentlemen's clubs are also a heavily taxed business. Most of the girls will be making money in cash, making wages easier to manage. The more money the establishment makes, the more taxes they will have to pay. Imagine that, your money at a bar may actually go to helping the community. A night's worth of lap dances may actually pay to clean up some of those awful potholes on Adams Street.
Don't forget to take into account the ease to which the bar will make money. With several of the bars farther from campus closing down, many patrons will be looking for a new venue to frequent. A new bar with a new scene is exactly the kind of place the in and out-of-towners could find a medium at in a town full of stereotyped bars. Don't like the scene at the Pace? Not a fan of the live music at the Café? How about a brand new venue? Alcohol sales go up during an economic depression as well, making this a perfect opportunity to start a business in the nightlife industry near campus.
This town is no stranger to bars or a rowdy college scene. The college student base alone would make the revenue and taxing worth the hassle. The economic slump is basically begging for any job that will open itself up to the younger crowd. The only negatives would come from a conservative viewpoint that doesn't want that kind of crowd near their kids. Unfortunately, any Friday in Macomb will show that this town is adult enough already. I can't think of a single reason such an establishment wouldn't be able to profit and benefit the citizens at the same time.
The obvious entertainment value aside, the answer came down to "a lot." Think about it. A bar staffed entirely by young people looking for a short-term job is the perfect candidate for a college community. Outside of the numerous job openings involved, it would provide a brand new establishment for the (of-age, of course) Western Illinois University community to frequent. Female students would have one more place to go for a source of income, and the turnover rate would allow new talent to flow in yearly as others graduate or move on. Take into account bartenders, wait staff and maintenance crew, and you have a great place of opportunity for those in need of a job.
Bars, and to a much greater extent, gentlemen's clubs are also a heavily taxed business. Most of the girls will be making money in cash, making wages easier to manage. The more money the establishment makes, the more taxes they will have to pay. Imagine that, your money at a bar may actually go to helping the community. A night's worth of lap dances may actually pay to clean up some of those awful potholes on Adams Street.
Don't forget to take into account the ease to which the bar will make money. With several of the bars farther from campus closing down, many patrons will be looking for a new venue to frequent. A new bar with a new scene is exactly the kind of place the in and out-of-towners could find a medium at in a town full of stereotyped bars. Don't like the scene at the Pace? Not a fan of the live music at the Café? How about a brand new venue? Alcohol sales go up during an economic depression as well, making this a perfect opportunity to start a business in the nightlife industry near campus.
This town is no stranger to bars or a rowdy college scene. The college student base alone would make the revenue and taxing worth the hassle. The economic slump is basically begging for any job that will open itself up to the younger crowd. The only negatives would come from a conservative viewpoint that doesn't want that kind of crowd near their kids. Unfortunately, any Friday in Macomb will show that this town is adult enough already. I can't think of a single reason such an establishment wouldn't be able to profit and benefit the citizens at the same time.
Viewing Comments 1 - 4 of 4
Niles Fleege
posted 5/04/09 @ 11:02 AM CST
HI Jake:
Great article... and logic I might add.
Interesting point that conservative Macomb would not want such a extablishment to pollute the young students minds and experiences. (Continued…)
Erin
posted 5/04/09 @ 1:12 PM CST
Good one, Jake. You managed to write this article without making me want to hit you... Aspiring columnists should take your example.
appalled at the idea
posted 5/04/09 @ 5:22 PM CST
Okay, first.. there was logic here, sure. I am just hoping that no one takes this article seriously enough to actually think that would be a good idea. (Continued…)
college dad
posted 7/23/09 @ 1:21 AM CST
well im a student dad coming in from outta town and quite honestly that was the first thing i looked for every town should have a strip club!! college towns for sure bring on the boobies!!!! what are ya waiting for Macomb ready to take my money? I come visit every weekend!!!
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