Dubuque had some business closures

[47of74]

As some of you may have heard yesterday, Econofoods in Dubuque is going to be closing at the end of this year. That place has been there since 1986, and in better times it expanded the store a couple times. But over the past couple years the store never seemed to be that busy, especially with Hy-Vee opening new locations. The closure will affect 70 people who are working there.

Then today it was announced that Bricktown had also closed down. They used to make some pretty good beer there, it's a shame that they closed down. They helped start a Main Street revival, got all sorts of businesses going down there.

[Bluzmann57]

1. There is a foundry closing in Davenport

Blackhawk foundry is closing early next year after being sold. This foundry has been around for about 100 years and obviously it is costing the city jobs. These are not great times.

[3waygeek]

2. I've eaten at Bricktown...

went there last time I was in Dubuque, about 18 months ago. The beer was quite good, as was the food; it's a shame it's gone. But even in good times, restaurants & bars are a chancy proposition. With IBM ramping up its Dubuque operations, I'd think the Bricktown site wouldn't be vacant too long.

[Cairycat]

3. I'm sorry to see any Iowa business close

Econofoods is a shame - they closed here some years ago. The grocery business is cut throat competitive, with razor-thin profit margins, especially with Wal Mart in the mix.

We've eaten at Bricktown several times. The food and the beer (and the root beer, when they had it) was good, but their service was always slow, ranging from "hey, well this isn't a fast-food place" to "Oh my god, it's taken them 45 minutes to make a sandwich". Fortunately you still have plenty of great eateries in Dubuque. A lovely town, and may I recommend the Richards House for out of towners. Nice owners, great food, great location and a real bargain. www.therichardshouse.com

[rurallib]

4. Groceries in Iowa now come down to Hy-Vee, Wally-world and Fareway

I expect soon to hear Fareway will be run out soon, leaving Hy-Vee and Wally. Ain't competition grand?
Luckily, I am old enough to remember real competition. It was quite a good deal.

BTW given a choice between HyVee and Wally world, I sometimes think I would rather starve.

[47of74]

5. Bettendorf has a Schnucks

When I'm down in the Quad Cities I often wind up going to Schuncks. It's easy to get to, being right off the interstate. They have a pretty good selection of food there.

[rurallib]

6. When I was young Iowa City had 6 chains and many Ma & Pa stores

now we have basically 2.5 choices. This is competition?
And the same is true across the country and across all industries. We have essentially on dominant group in each market, one lesser group and one that is sort of an afterthought.
About two steps from monopoly in every field.
And Repugs will tell you that is a good thing. Economy of scale and all that shit.
As I write this Comcast just made the entertainment world a little less competitive.

I just hope and pray those a-holes on the right never get their way with the internet.