From Altona to downtown Galesburg

Business worth the drive

By Klayr Valentine-Fossum

Jane Anderson and her daughter Amy Anderson live in Altona a brief drive from Galesburg.

The Anderson’s do not come downtown often, once or twice a month. Saturday was Amy’s prom, and so they had made the drive to have her hair done at Hair Etc. Spa and Salon at 74 S. Seminary St., where her sister works.

Jane Anderson grew up in the area, visiting the downtown with her family years back. “I remember, when I was young, shopping in the snow and the Christmas parade,” said Jane Anderson.

Jane Anderson wants more retail business in downtown, particularly large department stores. “I’ve seen it go from really big and busy to dead, but I think it’s coming back. It’s better than in the late ’70s.”

Amy agreed that though she has not seen the downtown change as her mother has, adding more retail business to the downtown would increase traffic, including possible customers that do not live in Galesburg. In particularly she would like to see a Maple City Candy Co. come to downtown, as the one in Monmouth, Ill. is closing. “That was a really neat place,” she said.

Rosenberry would like more things for kids

Consider the younger generation in downtown development

by Klayr Valentine-Fossum

Elizabeth Rosenberry, owner of Creative Photos by Elizabeth at 311 East Main St., Suite #602, headed downtown. With two kids in tow, she walked down Seminary St. to do some Mother’s Day shopping.

Rosenberry has lived in Galesburg for 20 years, operating the store since 2005. Before she had her business she would only visit downtown one to two times a year.

Rosenberry would like to see more spaces created with the youth of Galesburg in mind. She is not the only one to think this; many agree that there are not enough spaces for minors, particularly safe spaces. Red Johnson of Fins, Feathers and Fur Pets works with teenage volunteers, and finds they don’t have anywhere to just “hang out.”

Particularly Rosenberry would like to see an ice-skating rink. The nearest rink is in Peoria. “I would like it so hockey teams don’t have to travel as far.”

Within walking distance of disheartenment

By Klayr Valentine-Fossum

David Stewart, 77, and Joseph P. O’Neal, 62, both live within walking distance of the downtown area. Stewart has regularly come down to visit the post office, as well as the businesses in the area for the past 30 years. O’Neal visits his girlfriend who works downtown, as well as purchasing cosmetics, music, and DVDs.

Both men have become disheartened with the state of the downtown businesses. Stewart’s son-in-law owns 12 businesses, with four on Main St. His son-in-law is currently worried about how he will pay taxes on them. This also worries Stewart, who depends on his son-in-law’s income for part of his expenses, the other coming from his veteran’s pay.

Stewart believes the downtown area is “going down the drain,” due to the poor economy for the past 20 years. To Stewart, the shock to the economy came after Maytag and Butler manufacturing left, leaving many without a job.

O’Neal finds the problem not in external forces on downtown, but the difficulties of maintaining a business in the area. Someone may “try to make a business of their own, but the business does not make enough money,” said O’Neal. “What I’d like is success,” said O’Neal, for the downtown to “grow and grow”.

Downtown crime perceptions

By Andrew Polk

Downtown Galesburg can be a great place to shop and dine, but for city residents, the perception of being a center for crime can also be present. Some take an active stance to combat this perception.

“I have confidence in my abilities to protect myself,” Cornucopia clerk Laura Jorgenson said. “I also don’t put myself in danger.”

Jorgenson’s job brings her into the heart of downtown every day of the week, but she doesn’t have any problems with the location. In fact, she feels comfortable walking down Main Street by herself at most hours during the day.

“I walk around at all times, really.” Jorgenson said. “Dawn, mid-day, late evening even. I don’t usually walk around late at night, but that’s because I’m usually in bed by eleven.”

Others find themselves hesitant to go downtown.

“I get catcalled a lot,” Knox College Junior Tasha Coryell said. “I feel uncomfortable with the people there, and how they sometimes approach me.”

In a series of interviews done on Knox College and around downtown, seven men and four women responded that they did feel safe in Downtown Galesburg, with two women and one man stating that they did not.

Crimes of chief concern were loitering, harassment and theft. But most believed downtown to be safe.

“It doesn’t seem like there is much to be concerned about,” Knox alumnus Patrick Cogar said.

Galesburg Police Chief David Christensen agrees.

“I wouldn’t be the slightest bit afraid of crime,” if he were an ordinary citizen, Christensen said. “Personally, I would be more worried about a natural disaster, like a flood or tornado.”

Even given their assurances and statistics, Chief Christensen knows that how the public feels is the most important factor.

“[The Galesburg Police Department] wants to be responsive to community concerns,” Chief Christensen said. “We are in the business of relieving fears. If we can help, we would like to.”

Searching for the center

By Klayr Valentine-Fossum

Where is the center of downtown Galesburg? If you asked me about my hometown, Portland Oregon, it would be easy, Pioneer Courthouse Square, or “the square.” At the square family and friends meet up then head off to shop, catch a film, or grab something to eat. Additionally, in Barcelona, there are many plazas that offer space for people to gather as they enjoy the attractions of the city. But where can I find that in Galesburg?

One of the benefits of such a place is it allows people to head downtown and then decide with their party what to do while down there. Such a place acts as a catalyst for sustaining a downtown economy. Though the location itself does not produce a profit, a central meeting place draws shoppers before they even make plans to go shopping, diners before they are even hungry. By opening up a large and clean space, Galesburg can create a central location that will draw residents of all ages, encouraging them to spend time and money downtown.

One of the facets that has allowed such a place to develop in Portland and Barcelona is the public transportation system. The buses and the light rail have stops right next to the square coming from all directions of the city. In Portland’s downtown proper, the system even offers free transportation. This is the kind of thing Galesburg needs to implement. The Galesburg public transportation system is lacking, there are few buses and they stop running too early for anyone desiring a night out on the town, to rely on. By creating more efficient public transportation, and creating a route that stops near the new central location, the city can encourage traffic to the site.

Lastly, you want to draw the right crowd. Shoppers of all ages feel safe meeting up at these city centers because they are kept clean, comfortable and safe. To make the space actually work, and draw a group that is interested in spending money downtown, the space needs to be kept under tight security, especially in the beginning stages to make sure the space is not over-run with crime or drug use.

While such a space requires an initial investment, the after-effects will pay off. By investing funds into this project, rather than in simpler aesthetic modifications, the city can create a clean open atmosphere, that encourages travel to downtown Galesburg.

Destination Shopping

By Andrew Polk

Downtown Galesburg, like many central business districts in the Midwest, has experienced a slow but seemingly unavoidable drain of both business presence and customer interest over the years.

Many factors can be pointed to as local causes of this: the construction of Sandburg mall (which is in turn having similar issues), the Henderson Street business boom, and most recently, the opening of mega-stores such as Wal-Mart on the north side of Galesburg. Essentially, the city now has three separate concentrations of business all competing with each other for the day-to-day shopper.

Except for the fairly unlikely possibility of a mass voluntary move by local businesses into the empty storefronts there, downtown won’t be able to compete as a whole in this type of situation. The deck is stacked against it. Downtown businesses can, however, change the game. Instead of seeking to fulfill the everyday necessities, the idea has occurred to some shop owners to aim for the so-called ‘destination shopper.’ This type of customer can hail from anywhere in or beyond the Galesburg area, but comes in search of the unique and unusual. The things that people need, such as groceries and gas, can be found near where they live, but stores with specialty items like antiques, custom clothing or vintage guitars are what could draw them here. Entertainment venues and dining choices are what make them spend the day, and possibly more.

Downtown Galesburg is already well on its way to being more or less perfectly suited for such a goal. Both Cherry and Seminary Streets have a variety of stores (such as Cornucopia, Coney Island, and Cherry Street Guitar Co.) that can provide regional draws. What remains to be done isn’t insurmountable, either. Shops like Creations by Carolina and the Antique Mall on Main Street are the beginnings of what could be one coherent business area that attracts and keeps shoppers downtown. Efforts should be made to entice other such businesses to either start up or move into downtown storefronts. Support from the community is there. It just needs to be tapped.

Minor Devotion

Downtown Galesburg lacks in attractions for a younger generation

By Klayr Valentine-Fossum

Walk down Main St. and you’ll notice a distinct scarcity of spaces where youth can hang out. There is the plaza, which some use for BMXing, or the boxing school in the arcade, but otherwise the streets are filled with service oriented businesses or those that cater to an adult audience.

Nicole Taylor, who works at the Discovery Depot Children’s Museum, 128 S. Chambers St. says the Museum is busy, attracts kids younger than 10. The museum is especially popular for birthdays and field trips, but finds the whole of Galesburg downtown lacks youth-oriented businesses.

When Taylor was growing up, the Park Plaza used to be the place for break-dancing, before teens now were using it for biking. Taylor said her daughters just go around driving, rather than having a specific place to hang out.

Gil Leath, music instructor at Music Makers at 346 E Main St, sees youth traffic through the store for lessons, but believes there is nothing for the adolescents to do. “And they wonder why the youngsters get in trouble,” he said. “They have nothing to do.”

Leath would like to see a “secure place for kids to go have fun, to study.” He recommends there be a place for kids to study after school when they’re parents can’t help them, possibly staffed with college tutors.

Leath is from San Diego California, when he grew up there was a place called “the center.” It had a pool, was a secure place, and there was a psychologist available. “Kids haven’t changed, times have changed,” he said.

Sally Scott teaches knitting and other crafts at Creations by Carolina at 108 E Main St. She has not seen many minors enrolled in the classes, her pupils age average age is 35. Scott though would like to see more Galesburg youth involved in the classes. She is considering offering summer courses to young children.

5 things for teens to do downtown

1. Music Makers
   Regardless of your age or skill level, head to music makers for music lessons, only $12 for a half hour.
2. Fins, Feathers and Fur Pets
   Looking to volunteer this summer? This pet store encourages teenage volunteers and has a cheerful atmosphere.
3. Box
   A new art studio featuring student art, as well as visiting artists. Check it out.
4. Coney Island
   Hungry? Grab a cold drink, a classic style hot dog, (vegetarian options available), and kick back to gaze at the amazing complexity of the decoration.
5. Galesburg Youth Athletic Club
   Want a great way to build strength, self-confidence, and skill sin self defense? Check out the GYAC at 64 S Prairie St # 4 for boxing classes, starting at $35 for year long membership. Boxing classes are offered Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, from 5:30 to 7:30.

Photo Montage: Back Alley Beauty

Take a rest from the businesses of downtown with a slip down some of Galesburg’s beautiful alleys.
By Klayr Valentine-Fossum

Downtown’s first department stores

By Matthew Wheaton

No trip to downtown Galesburg circa 1890 would be complete without a stop by O.T. Johnson’s or Kellogg, Drake & Company. Those locally owned department stores led the way for the Crandell’s, Ward’s and Bergner’s stores that would come and go after them.

Galesburg resident Julie Kellogg laments the passing of the downtown department stores. “I would like to see some bigger department stores downtown. Something to mimic the Shoppes of Grand Prairie but on a smaller scale,” she said.

Galesburg’s first downtown department store survived 118 years, bearing the name of a founder who left town before the turn of the 20th century.

In 1860, O.T. Johnson moved to town from Altona, Ill. Shortly after, he bought out his employers, Sage and Reed, and started a small general store, located at 125 East Main Street, which he named after himself.

Johnson’s store grew gradually, while he planned to move to California. So in 1890, he let Robert Chappell take over the day-to-day operations.

O.T. Johnson’s could “claim the distinction of being the largest general department store in the country, to be located in a city the size of Galesburg,” according to a December 11, 1903 article published in the Daily Republican-Register.

In 1909, Chappell released plans to build a new store in the same location as the old one. The new building was erected in two phases so O.T.’s could stay open during construction. The total cost of the project was $50,000 and J. Grant Beadle was the architect. O.T. Johnson’s remained a staple of downtown until 1978.

“O.T. Johnson’s was the place to go downtown,” local historian Tom Wilson said. “It was one of the first department stores downtown. Others started picking up after the turn of the century. Every type of thing you could imagine was sold inside O.T’s. They sold everything but cars.”

Just before Chappell took over O.T.’s, the store acquired some competition.

On October 12, 1889, Kellogg, Drake & Company, owned by Harvey E. Kellogg, E.R. Drake, Alfred Olson and a man by the last name of Nelson, opened for business in a small storeroom in the Union Hotel.

Kellogg, Drake & Company moved from the small storeroom to 227, 229 and 231 East Main, where the Main Street Mall is today, on January 1, 1890. The new location provided three floors for the businessmen to sell their goods.

In the new locations Kellogg, Drake & Company carried “not only a large stock of dry goods and cloaks, but also one of the largest stocks of carpets in the region,” according to an October 7, 1899 article published in the Daily Republican-Register.

In January 1966, a $250,000 going out of business sale took place at Kellogg, Drake & Company, because the owners decided to retire.

Kellogg, Drake & Company along with O.T. Johnson’s seem to be the only two department stores in downtown Galesburg before the turn of the century. However, many came after.

Video: Business Profile, Creations by Carolina

Owner Carolina Ramsell talks about her unique store on Main Street in Downtown Galesburg.

Creations by Carolina, 108 E Main St Galesburg, Ill. 61401. (309) 343-9998