posted by Mike Madison at 3:58 PM /
Linda Mitchell, who runs the very cool Planet Art Gallery on Washington Road, tracked down a very old Pittsblog post of mine and commented, in effect, that Mt. Lebanon residents aren't doing as much as USC and Peters residents to keep her local business in, well, business.
A surprise? Not really. Mt. Lebanon can't plead poverty, but those folks in USC and Peters are clearly and significantly better off, on the whole.
From the 2000 census:
Mt. Lebanon -- median household income: $60,783. Median family income: $79,744.
Upper St. Clair -- median household income: $87,581. Median family income: $95,257.
Peters Township -- median household income: $77,442. Median family income: $86,661.
For comparison at the other end of the spectrum: Dormont -- median household income: $38,958. Median family income: $51,826.
A surprise? Not really. Mt. Lebanon can't plead poverty, but those folks in USC and Peters are clearly and significantly better off, on the whole.
From the 2000 census:
Mt. Lebanon -- median household income: $60,783. Median family income: $79,744.
Upper St. Clair -- median household income: $87,581. Median family income: $95,257.
Peters Township -- median household income: $77,442. Median family income: $86,661.
For comparison at the other end of the spectrum: Dormont -- median household income: $38,958. Median family income: $51,826.
7 Comments:
I know there is a point to this (seriously - not meant to be sarcastic) but I'm not getting it....I know where my family falls within the demographics and DESPITE that, we choose to shop at Rolliers and other local businesses. The reason we do is because we value them and want them to stay....
There is a difference between Rolliers and an art gallery. Anyone who owns a home will end up spending money in a hardware store; the question is where to spend your money. Rolliers isn't just a local business. As often as not, Rolliers is no more expensive than Home Depot, and it has an amazing service desk as well. I shop there a lot. On the other hand, I've never once bought anything in an art gallery. Ever. Anywhere. Unless I win the lottery, I don't plan to. Usually I don't have that kind of money; sometimes I'd rather spend money on other things.
In other words, I think that shopping for art isn't a question of supporting a local business; it's a question of discretionary income. If you have the discretionary income to spend, by all means, spend it at local businesses. Wealthier communities have more discretionary income, so it's no surprise to find that money in the art gallery.
But no one should be surprised that communities with less discretionary income spend less money at art galleries, local or otherwise. With hardware, you'll spend that money anyway, so it's a great thing to spend it locally.
My favorite example of this sort of thing is Asti's Pharmacy, on Mt. Lebanon Boulevard. I love Asti's. Unparalleled customer service. Local business. As long as my insurance works there, I'm never filling a prescription anywhere else.
Okay...now I follow you and understand better...you're right - I certainly don't have that kind of discretionary income and know more people who also don't have it than who do. It's interesting you bring this up as I was given the choice recently to get a gift card from an expensive, exclusive local merchant with few practical items vs. a larger chain which I knew the recipient would appreciate more. I had a strong internal debate but the chain won out. So do we encourage businesses that are more suitable to a diverse socio-economic status or.......developments such as......(should I dare say the "Z" word?)
:-)
I stand corrected about what PA sells, though I couldn't tell that from the website.
Actually, no, I'm not a big gift buyer, at least when "gift" means "object" (even "art object") rather than something functional. (I.e., you can wear it, read it, listen to it, watch it, use it.) Shopping for gifts -- even less expensive gifts -- still falls on the "discretionary" side of my personal line. And hardware is still on the "mandatory" side.
I fell upon this conversation through the Planet Art website. I live in Bethel Park and shop in Mt. Lebo often. I have to say that I was surprised at some of the comments. I do not have excessive discretionary funds, but I love to buy gifts for friends and family and when it is from a local business that sells super cool art in all sizes, shapes and prices...everyone wins. Most of my friends also don't have oodles of cash either, but they too purchase gifts and even art. I have been to Planet Art and am always impressed at the quality of art and the affordabiltiy of everything in the shop. If you havent already, you should check out Planet Art, and consider buying a piece of art.
Planet Art is a great store. I frequent it and the other shops Uptown for ”occasion” shopping.
Wife’s birthday, Mother’s Day, etc … You can find lots of things that are not available at the mall or a big box retailer.
And it can be an outing to shop Uptown – I have already talked with one daughter about going to the Celtic Cross for my wife’s birthday later this month. (Double bonus points here!)
I think the premise should be – if you are going spend $10 or $1,000, think about doing it Uptown or in one of the other local business districts.
aha... I see I missed Linda's point in the first read-thru.
So I guess I'll append my initial comments by summarizing that USC residents have noplace interesting to shop in their own town ;-)
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