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I was stopped outside of my business last weekend by an Amish gentleman. He asked me what I thought about "all of the downtown redevelopment." He commented that he felt there were at least two different views and ideas circulating without much movement towards an agreement.
He was being very candid with me, which I truly appreciated. He said "You know why tourists come here, and we know why they come here, too." He said that people come to Kalona because we are a different community with an old fashioned look and feeling, and yes, to see and enjoy the Amish community.
Wow! This is a great candid discussion we are having. He went on to explain that whatever was decided, 2 way or 1 way streets, signs, etc. that we don't want to lose the old fashioned Kalona experience that sets us apart from other cities. This wise man added that without tourists, businesses would probably suffer. He is right in my opinion.
I asked what he would like to see downtown. So quickly he responded as if this was the point he wanted to make all along. "Put back the hitching posts downtown. People would come and see horses and buggies hitching up, going into the stores and getting supplies. They would go home and tell others about the unique city that they experienced in Kalona." Again, he was right. From a pure marketing aspect he hit the proverbial nail on the head! What quicker visual impact could you have than to have Kalona return back to its heritage and customs such as hitching posts? It is an immediate recognition without the need to spend great deals of time and money on elaborate and costly marketing plans.
I know what many of you are thinking, and I admit at first it gave me some cause for concerns about how our city could accommodate this return to the past. I recognize two concerns that deserve addressing. We may lose a parking place or two. But would the increased revenue and tourist draw outweigh that loss. I feel in the long run, yes. People will come and find parking. Parking is an adjustment that many small towns encounter. Fortunate for this small town that we can overcome such issues because we can draw visitors and customers, not all communities are as lucky. Next, cleaning up the manure. As far as I know, the City of Kalona has a street sweeper. Perhaps have it drive through B Avenue and Fifth Street in the late afternoon. Generally speaking, most of our Amish community have gone home by late afternoon. Yes, there would be some costs to the city for this service, but again the benefit to the downtown area would qualify this service to be provided 6 days each week.
I am a proponent of "dressing" up downtown Kalona. Trees, plants, benches, signage and the like that is being talked about, and the dialog is good. But I also agree with what I heard that morning from my Amish friend. Keep Kalona looking old fashioned. Bring back our early days. If we are not different, what reason is there for people to come and explore and experience this wonderful city?
Many Kalona businesses enjoy the patronage of our Amish community. Beyond their patronage my wife and I enjoy their friendship and their contributions to Kalona. What this man shared with me, so simple of an idea, opened my eyes anew . He described the Kalona that I really did want to see. It can happen again, and we can all enjoy and be even more proud to be a member of a community that remembers its past and wants to preserve its heritage.
All in all, I believe it to be one more aspect for our city, the development committees and all of us to at least consider this idea, a version of it or some compromise of a marketing idea that would be hard to pull off in any neighboring cities.
Dave Finley
Editor's Note: Dave Finley is the owner of the Kalona General Store.
