Hampton Branch Library
Designating Icons Is Nonsense
RECEIVED Sat., Dec. 2, 2006
Dear Editor,
Re: Iconic Business Commission ["Icon or Eyesore?," News, Nov. 24]: Our first location [Off the Wall] was in my father-in-law's garage. We've had at least eight or nine locations over the last 28 years and that doesn't include all the movings in and out of countless arts-and-crafts shows, seasonal mall events, selling on the Drag, and 19 years worth of the good ol' Armadillo Christmas Bazaar.
Does that make Ellen and I iconic? What nonsense.
Was the Night Hawk iconic? They would have as good a shot at that status as anyone I know, but they're not here anymore. Should they be? Who decides, the individual business through the series of decisions they make as they respond to market forces, or does a public commission have a better idea of how to run a business?
What about the Holiday House, 2 J's, Orange Bull, Tamale House, Dale Baker's BBQ, Shady Grove, Checkered Flag, Saxon Pub No. 1, Saxon Pub No. 2, or is it Saxon Pub No. 3?
One Nite, Gordo's, Alliance Wagonyard, Steamboat Springs, Threadgill's No. 1, Threadgill's No. 2, Threadgill's No. 3, Willie Kocurek, the Big O, Sharp's Locksmith, oh, I'm sorry, Liberty Lunch?
How long this list.
Should we put some city commission in charge of who stays in business, or is that decision better made by the free market?
I'll bet on the market making the most right choices.
Re: Iconic Business Commission ["Icon or Eyesore?," News, Nov. 24]: Our first location [Off the Wall] was in my father-in-law's garage. We've had at least eight or nine locations over the last 28 years and that doesn't include all the movings in and out of countless arts-and-crafts shows, seasonal mall events, selling on the Drag, and 19 years worth of the good ol' Armadillo Christmas Bazaar.
Does that make Ellen and I iconic? What nonsense.
Was the Night Hawk iconic? They would have as good a shot at that status as anyone I know, but they're not here anymore. Should they be? Who decides, the individual business through the series of decisions they make as they respond to market forces, or does a public commission have a better idea of how to run a business?
What about the Holiday House, 2 J's, Orange Bull, Tamale House, Dale Baker's BBQ, Shady Grove, Checkered Flag, Saxon Pub No. 1, Saxon Pub No. 2, or is it Saxon Pub No. 3?
One Nite, Gordo's, Alliance Wagonyard, Steamboat Springs, Threadgill's No. 1, Threadgill's No. 2, Threadgill's No. 3, Willie Kocurek, the Big O, Sharp's Locksmith, oh, I'm sorry, Liberty Lunch?
How long this list.
Should we put some city commission in charge of who stays in business, or is that decision better made by the free market?
I'll bet on the market making the most right choices.
Sincerely,
Gail B. Armstrong
Gail B. Armstrong