Struggling on Main Street
It has been almost five years since the Community Development took over ownership of the Gackle Cafe. The cafe has had many struggles during this time to keep the doors open. Currently, the cafe is being leased to Carolyn Zacher. She took over running the cafe last fall and really enjoys being apart of our community and wants to stay. So what’s the problem? Hard to pinpoint one thing so lets just get to the point. The lease has been changed so that Carolyn will be paying a monthly rent for the building and the community will be in charge of the rest. The rest (water, propane, electricity, insurance) is estimated to cost $1200.00 per month. I urge the community of Gackle to take ownership in this. If you want the cafe to remain open, we all need to support it in any way we can (donating, volunteering, eating, etc.). The cafe board, consisting of Mary Jo Fries, Barb Schmidt, and Sandi Rivinius, have been working hard to generate ideas to raise money. In addition to local fundraising efforts, the board has received grants from the North Dakota Community Foundation to help support the cafe.
A Pancake, French Toast, and Sausage buffet is scheduled to be held on April 20, 2008. There is a list of items that can be donated for this, which includes: syrup, eggs, butter, and orange juice. Any donations can be taken to the cafe. A raffle drawing will also be held on this day. Items on the raffle include a $150 Reister Meats bundle, $100 savings bond, $50 gift certificate for the Gackle Coop, and gift certificates for the cafe. Tickets can be purchased from any board member, at the bank, or the cafe for $1 per ticket or 6 for $5. Our main street needs a cafe!
April 11th, 2008 at 9:01 am
I have a few ideas on how you guys can save the little town of Gackle. Have some street dances with an entry fee to make some extra money to keep things in town going. The town of Gackle is mostly elderly. In order for Gackle to grow you need to find ways to get a younger generation interested in moving to Gackle. Try coming up with ideas that suit better to the younger generation, or try to collaborate and get both generations involved more. Have some dances, or do a big July 4th Blow-out again like you had in 2004 for your Cenntenial. Think of way back when. What made Gackle a successful town 20, 30, 40 years ago.
April 29th, 2008 at 5:14 pm
I think street dances, perhaps combined with the farmer’s market would be pretty neat too. Gackle is a charming town and it has the potential to draw in folks who don’t want to spend the fuel money to go elsewhere.
May 15th, 2008 at 6:33 pm
I have seem many small towns that have kept their economy thriving. What is it that draw people to them? Charm , they have kept the old buildings as they were 50+ years ago. It is the desire of tourists and visitors to go back to the past. The shops are small with a specialty to sale. The Haut building could be such a place with small shops inside that are not modern but have the charm of the past. I remember the bank as it was 40 years ago with its brick exterior and entrance at the corner. Most of the other charming old buildings are gone. The movie theater is one of the interesting buildings and keep it that way. They could offer old classic movies once a month. If advertised, it could draw old movie enthusiasts from other towns.
Matinee movies with free popcorn is fun for all.
For the park:
Add a bocce court where the over 60 citizens can play and gather at least twice a week.
Benches, place strategically, can encourage people to just sit and enjoy the outdoors.
A walking path in the park with mile posts will encourage people to walk or jog.
Start walking groups which meet in the park.
Have checkers boards painted on tables with checkers available to check out.
June 21st, 2008 at 5:55 am
Joe Davis & Anon: Thanks for all the great suggestions. Your perspectives are appreciated.