Downtown Athen’s Sidewalks Pose Serious Hazards

Michelle Baker struggled to open her blood covered eyes. She wiped the blood away and opened her eyes wide. Terrified, she looked up and saw her college boyfriend racing to help her up. Her horrified friends screamed at the top of their lungs as her boyfriend, Daniel, picked her up and carried her to his car. Michelle was out to celebrate the end of another semester of school in downtown Athens. As she walked out of her favorite bar, she stumbled over a loose brick surrounding a tree in the middle of the sidewalk. Michelle fell forward and busted her head open on the hard pavement. Thanks to her quick-thinking friends getting her safely to the hospital, she got the help she needed and is doing great now.
The streets of the downtown Athens area are full of possible hazards for the pedestrians that walk them, especially for the ones just out of the bars. From piles and piles of trash, fold-out advertisements from the local business, cracked and uneven sidewalks, potholes, and the loose and wobbly gas meter lids. Many of these do not sound all that dangerous, but for a girl out on a night on the town wearing her brand new high heels, they ruin the night and cause some serious injuries. These injuries can be anything from a broken or twisted ankle to a trip and a hard face-plant into the sidewalk.
Leah Gardner lifted her head up, and with a bright-red face, took a long look in both directions. She looked down Broad Street and College Avenue to make sure no one saw her embarrassing mishap. After she came to the realization that no one had seen her stumble on one of the many loose and wobbly gas meter lids, she let out a sigh of relief followed by a small chuckle. Okay and unharmed, but things could have been much worse.
“It really scared me; I mean I could have been seriously injured if I had not caught my balance at the last second. I really think something needs to be done about those gas meter lids,” Leah said, when asked about her trip near Five Guy’s Burgers and Fry’s in downtown Athens.
Curtis Harrison came out of his favorite Athens bar, Sideways. He walked out of the bar, past a nearby bag of garbage, and he heard a small splash. He looked down and saw an “ugly brown substance” all over his favorite pair of Nike shoes. Curtis, another pedestrian who had a mishap downtown, complained about the huge amounts of leaky trash bags that are laid out on the sidewalks at night. According to reports, restaurants in the downtown area were told by the sanitation department to quit using trash cans to put their garbage out, and to just put the trash out in the bags. This was due to the stench of the trash cans, but seemed to only cause a new safety hazard on the sidewalks of downtown. These trash bags will tear and leak the grease and other unsavory things into the street. These leaks create the scare of a slip if somebody was to step on them wrong. “I come here from Tennessee sometimes to hang out with some old high school friends who go to the University of Georgia. We have some of the same problems in Knoxville when we go out, the government really needs to do something about these hazards in the inner cities,” Curtis said.
According to reports, many businesses downtown have begun to use fold-up advertisement signs in order to bring in customers and inform them of deals and locations of their businesses. Many citizens have complained of these signs and the growing number of them in Athens, GA. In response to these complaints it has been said that banning the fold-up street signs would be unconstitutional and therefore the companies who set them out have the right to continue to do so.
Most people downtown are aware and careful to avoid these hazards and are just out to have a good time. However, for people who go out and have a little too much fun, these hazards have the ability to become very dangerous and could easily cause serious physical harm to someone. The gas meter lids along with some others that many cities have to deal with, such as; speeding traffic, broken curbs, etc. The tax payer’s money is collected to keep the tax payer’s streets and community clean and safe, and this should be done.

Barbe benefits UGA, Athens music industry

David Barbe is many things: graduate of Grady College, past and present musician in various bands, co-founder of Chase Park Transduction Studio and most recently, he even stepped in to perform with the well-known band Drive-By Truckers. In addition to these accomplishments, Barbe is now serving his fourth term as the director of the Music Business Program at UGA.

It would not do justice to say his musical and professional versatility is a positive asset to UGA and the Athens community as a whole; Barbe is the driving force behind the music industry at UGA and in Athens.

Barbe graduated from UGA 25 years ago and has been involved with the music industry in Athens ever since. Coming from parents who were both professional musicians, Barbe started playing with bands when he was 12 years old. After coming to Athens for college, he was hooked. “Athens is the greatest place in the world. I do not want to leave here,” he said. This may come as relief to music lovers.

Barbe’s familiarity and connections to so many people within the local music industry benefits his students as well as Athenians interested in music.

“He literally knows everyone related to music in Athens. He has definitely impacted the music business program on campus through these connections,” Jordan Anderson, a junior in the music business program, said.

Barbe relies on the Music Business Program to not only lead students into various aspects of the music industry, but to enhance the music industry in Athens as a whole. “I think the program makes UGA a center for the music industry. It’s a reliable source of manpower,” Barbe said.

One of the ways Barbe utilizes his connections and manpower is through his externship program.  Barbe helps place each student in a music industry-related externship, which benefits both the students as well as the externship host. Partners with the externship include 40 Watt, Georgia Theater, Nuci’s Space and many more, according to the Music Business Program’s website.

The students are able to gain experience in different aspects of the field, and in return the externship hosts are able to increase employment without having to pay more salaries. The externship program also helps the hosts and the students to form connections and relationships with those who share their interest in music.

Tom Lewis, associate director of the Music Business Program, believes the externship to be a vital part of completing the program. “The bottom line is we can talk about anything we wish, but if we’re not engaged in it then we are just talking,” he said. “We can talk about details, but the real work is in the doing. If we can put them in the right spot… then we’re cooking!”

With the recent re-opening of the Georgia Theater and the expansion of the Classic Center, Athens’ music industry is thriving more than ever. Even in the fist year of it’s opening, the Theater is bringing a multitude of music fans to downtown Athens.

“People trust Barbe’s taste. He can convince bands to come and also convince people what bands we want,” Rachel Martz, an employee at the Georgia Theater, said. “And I know he is responsible for bringing bands and performers to us in the past!”

“He knows when a talented up-and-comer can step up to the plate and drive it home,” said Lewis. “I don’t second guess him.  He is a visionary.”

For Barbe, the program is all about the students. “I teach them to focus on quality, to care more than others, think on their feet, and to under-promise and over-deliver,” he said.

It is also Barbe’s teaching style that makes him such as asset.  “When we are talking about an unfamiliar subject, he uses examples we know and can relate to,” Anderson said. “His lectures are easy to follow and you can tell he has so much passion about music. That really encourages me.”

Barbe does the teaching, but leaves the learning up to the students.  “He knows it doesn’t matter what we think so much for the future. It’s what they think because it is they that will do,” Lewis said.

Barbe agrees his teaching style is unusual. “I’m unorthodox in my teaching style. It’s true I don’t have a career in academia, but I describe my teaching style as intense but positive, jovial and ferocious.”

Barbe is easy to describe, no matter who you ask. He is, “outspoken, hilarious and sarcastic,” according to Anderson.

Lewis added, “he is phenomenal at what he does. He is personable, forceful, funny, sometimes extremely-long-winded, but this is never without an important point.”

Martz, who completed the program, said, “he loves to make students get involved. There is only so much he can teach inside the classroom, which is why he works so hard to immerse everyone in the industry.”

But, placing students in jobs within the music industry upon graduation is not Barbe’s only goal. “I want students to go from ‘who am I?’ to ‘who I am,’” he said. “I want them to realize what they want to do. To find a way to answer the question that is burning in their minds.”

Students contribute more to panhandlers, study shows

Vision Video still successful despite widespread change

It’s Friday night, and several people form a line outside of a local Kroger. Some look impatient as they wait for their turn at the big, red machine in front of them. A few years ago, these people might have been in line to buy a Coke.

But this machine dispenses movies, not soda, and only takes credit cards. Meet Redbox, one of the newest members of the movie rental industry.

Across town, there are also people looking for the evening’s perfect film, but these people aren’t in a single-file line; they are walking up and down rows lined with hundreds of movies.

Welcome to Vision Video, the only local video rental store still in business, and it’s doing quite well, says co-owner Charles Seward.

The movie rental industry has changed dramatically over the past few years in reaction to a proliferation of new competition fueled by technological developments, such as streaming video, reports the Entertainment Merchants Association (EMA), the trade association for anything related to home entertainment.

Consumers haven’t stopped renting movies, but the number of places they get them has increased, said Grace Lee, manager of public relations and marketing for EMA. These include subscription services, streaming through cable and satellite companies, and the growing number of kiosks.

“There have been several changes in the home entertainment industry the past few years that paved the way for new types of delivery channels,” Lee said. “Each channel of video rental business offers consumers an attractive combination of convenience and value, and the consumer can choose which combination best meets their needs.”

Many of these new channels are thriving. EMA reports that Redbox now has over 24,000 locations across the country, compared to 15,000 in 2010.

“Traditional video retailers will no doubt experience even more competition in the coming year,” said Ross Crupnick, Senior Industry Analyst for the NPD Group, a leading market research firm, in EMA’s annual report.

Former industry leader Blockbuster filed for bankruptcy in September 2010 and was bought by DISH Network, reports EMA. Movie Gallery, the second largest rental chain, went out of business earlier that year. Additionally, the number of independently operated stores continues to shrink in towns and cities across the country.

These traditional “brick-and-mortar” stores are closing at a rapid pace, Lee said, but they aren’t going to disappear altogether anytime soon.

“Video rental stores are not going to go away any time soon,” Lee said. “Many consumers appreciate the large selection, numerous copies, customer service, and ease of browsing that are available at their local video store.

“We anticipate that they will continue to adapt their business models to meet customer demands,” Lee said.

It probably won’t be long before another competitor enters the business, but Vision Video has proven that it can adapt to changes in technology and competition.

“It keeps us on our toes,” Seward said.

Seward and his brother started offering movies for rent as part of their pizza delivery business, and when the movie rentals became more popular than the pizza, they opened the first Vision Video downtown in 1986. Today, there are four Vision Video locations—three in Athens, one in Watkinsville—that employ 31 full-time employees, Seward said.

Vision Video continues to operate successfully, and Seward is confident that the business is here to stay. The two other movie rental stores in Athens, Blockbuster and Video Link, recently went out of business, but this doesn’t worry Seward. He said his stores would adapt if necessary in order to keep up with the onslaught of new competition, but that there are features that make all of his stores unique—and keep customers coming back.

His employees share the same attitude. Jeremy Long, manager of the downtown location for the past 15 years, said the overall atmosphere of the store “definitely” contributes to its success. It is hard to miss the old-school vibe upon walking into the store downtown.

The large selection of movies reflects the mix of people that frequent the business, Long said, and many of them are “regulars.”

“We get a lot of everybody,” Long said. “The best part of my job is seeing people all the time. It’s like a club of some kind.”

Long compared the store to a library, where people browse, talk to each other, and can ask for help from employees.

“We try to make it a place where people want to be,” said Long

Customers enjoy the service provided by Long and other employees, as well as the overall feeling of being in a traditional movie store.
“It’s cool that there’s actually still a movie store in town,” said customer Sarah Bruker. “They have a great selection and the staff is always willing to help you pick out something good, whether it’s old or new.”

The staff is carefully hired, said Seward, and all employees love movies. They help stock Vision Video with a wide variety of movies, and enjoy helping customers discover new movies.

Customer Stephen Mulherin says the “tranquil setting” and “helpful service” found at Vision Video is unrivaled.

“The staff is always willing to go out of their way to help you find whatever you’re looking for,” said Mulherin.

And although there may be more places to rent movies than before, there are things in Vision Video’s extensive library that can’t be found elsewhere.

“We make a point of stocking the best movies from not only the United States, but the world,” Seward said.

“They have stuff that no one else does,” Bruker said. “I can’t find a lot of the TV shows and movies I watch anywhere else.”

Customer Taylor Critz compared using NetFlix or RedBox to playing the lottery.

“I use them all for different purposes, but so often I leave the RedBox feeling disappointed,” Critz said. “Here, I’ve never had a bad experience.”

Some local experts attribute the success of local businesses like Vision Video to the diverse cultural make-up of the town.

Dr. Marcus Cunha, Associate Professor of marketing at the University, says that Athens’ “artsy” cultural identity contributes to the success of locally owned and operated businesses like Vision Video, Jittery Joe’s, and the dozens of restaurants and boutiques downtown.

“Artists appreciate uniqueness and these types of stores provide it,” said Cunha. “This could also explain why people in Athens want to keep the city’s character, rather than being overtaken by chains.”

Airee Hong, owner of Agora, a downtown boutique, says that it is these small, independent stores that keep visitors coming back to Athens.

“The whole reason why people come to Athens is because you get these really cool, unique, eclectic mom-and-pop stores that you don’t see anywhere else,” Hong said.

Seward says that his staff, the wide selection of movies, and the affordable prices are the main reasons why customers return to Vision Video.

However, he says that these things wouldn’t be possible if not for the sense of community exhibited by Athens residents.

Much of Vision Video’s continued success is due to the community’s support.

“Athens has really fostered a sense of community where the citizens have a real sense of local flavor,” Seward said.

Sifting Through Downtown Athens

       A vintage Lacoste sweater; $13, two pairs of gently used designer jeans; $22, A Louis Vuitton wallet; $25, spending your Saturday sifting through the never ending shelves and booths of a consignment shop with your best friend; priceless.

     More and more shoppers in Athens and around the nation choose to shop at consignment shops and gently used shops such as Goodwill, Plato’s Closet, and various smaller consignment shops in the downtown area instead of buying clothes new.

     Consignment shops are places where the owner meets with different buyers and looks through their pieces to decide what they want to use to sell. Some consignment shops allow everyday people to come in and sell their clothes to the store for cash or store credit.

     In the downtown Athens area there are five staple consignment shops: Agora, Minx, Community, Dynamite, and Cellies. They each have their own unique feel and their own clientele.

     Some of the stores have secret buyers that the public is not allowed to know about like Dynamite. When asked about their seller’s employee Benjamin Garratt said, “If I was allowed to know, perhaps you would be allowed to know.”

     The owner of Community, another staple vintage consignment shop was not in her usual corner of her shop sewing because she was traveling to some of her buyers to acquire new clothes for the coming months.

     “We pretty much take anything that looks cool. said Hannah Hall, who works at Minx. “We don’t really have anything that sells particularly more than others because we don’t just sell what’s popular, we sell it all.”

     Agora employee Beth Weigle is one of the 40 booth owners who reside inside the consignment shop.

     “There’s about 40 vendors that rent space from the owner and they fill their booths so it’s like their own little store within the store. Each with their own aesthetic and look.”

     This allows the owner and the venders to get a cut of the purchase.

     At Cellies clothing store, however, they not only take clothes from local sellers but they also buy wholesale online and import some new clothes into the store as well.

     When the economy started to take a turn for the worse these stores were still managing to stay afloat.

      “In 2008 is when things started to get really bad.” Said Lindsay Haddadd, Cellies employee. “Its cheaper to buy used clothes, sometimes, depending on what clothes they are, but we stay open and doing well because of the simple fact that in 2008 people couldn’t afford new clothes.”

      Along with people not able to afford new clothes some employees think that the Green movement has to do with the booming business. “Green washing has occurred, everything is green, your water bottle is green, your printer paper is green, your building collects water and has solar power so it’s green.” Said Emily Newdow, a Community employee.

     According to National Geographic Americans throw away 68 pounds of clothing a year while buying 10 pounds of recycled clothes.

     “In the sense of fashion being green, your outfits not being made in China in a sweatshop by a child. Its vintage, it was made a long time ago, and it was probably made here, its green in that aspect.” Newdow said.

     Buying recycled clothes not only is good for the environment but its good for your wallet. These consignment shops are priced up to 50 percent cheaper than buying new clothes. Some shops will pay you for your other clothes and put money into your own pocket.

     “We have stuff in here from 50 cents to $1000 dollars, anything from rubber chickens to vintage condom machines.”

     These stores are growing in popularity amongst people in Athens and in the rest of Georgia. “I can only afford to shop at these stores.” Toni Sulmers, a schoolteacher from Atlanta said. “But I always do find nice things there, sometimes that haven’t even been worn before.”

     These stores have been around for a long time and have shown a lot of staying power. “Dynamite’s been around for at least 10 years now, Agora came after us, and then Minx.” Garratt said.

     If these stores have anything truly in common it would be their staying power. “Agora isn’t going anywhere anytime soon.” Weigle said, “These stores are ‘in’ Newdow said. “We’ll be here for a while,” Garratt said. They promise to be a presence in the downtown area for a long time and show no sign of leaving.