Business Failure Opens Up Opportunities

Change within the business sectors of our area communities is one constant that we can depend upon.  What was once a dirt lot will eventually become a building or an anticipated highest and best use.  If we wait long enough the building will go through a metamorphosis and possible other uses, and finally end up as rubble before being cleaned off by a front-loader.  The idle piece of property will be called inventory by Realtors and maybe an eyesore by others.  It will still look like an opportunity for visionaries.

In the City of Countryside, the location of a past car dealership is now functioning as a motocycle store.  Called BMW Motorcycle of Countryside, the sales location took over from the Amish Furniture retailing site that operated for two holiday seasons and prior to them was the Max Madsen Mitsubishi dealership.

Mitsubishi vehicles are now sold at Continental Motors just up the street from Joliet Road.  The flag brand replaced the Jeeps that went across the street to another car dealer.  If this sounds confusing - it can become so.

So, is failure all bad?  Not necessarily.  It does allow others to use the space or business location of another business that has gone out of business.  You see this occurring everywhere.  Restaurants open and cease operation.  Another group comes in, does remodeling and possibly fails.  A third entrepreneur or corporation gives it a try, and by working night and day for years, becomes an overnight success.  In business, it is called the American way.  It is competition with warts and scabs.

Let's never take failure lightly, though.  People lose life savings, retirement plan funds and often end deep in debt.  Corporations may be able to weather the loss as an expense of business.  If a business is successful, though, the rewards can become huge.

To ensure that most of the businesses we have in our area communites remain successful, your support is needed.  Try to spend locally as much as you can.  It will be serf-serving in a way, for those that serve your needs will be able to remain open.  Your village or city will also enjoy the tax revenue on the transactions.

Question:  What was the Pancake House on La Granger Road before it closed?  What will be the new business that is negotiating a lease on the building?  Maybe 'Frank's Bait and Taco' or another coffee purveyor?  If you find out - tell us.  Just for the record, I truly love tacos and fishing, so I am OK with the former.