I Don’t Think We’re in Kansas Anymore

   

6th & WashingtonOriginally uploaded by LML Video Services.

According to todays Herald-Times, downtown Bloomington is about to lose some of it’s small town charm.¬† The interesting part is a former mayor, John Fernandez is playing a key role.

The properties pictured, and another which is at a location directly south of this picture have been sold to Walnut Street Development.¬† John Fernandez is written as stating that, “ideas being discussed include using the site for a new office building for Finelight Strategic Marketing Communications.”

It is fine for a business to expand their current facilities, but is destroying a Bloomington landmark really worth it?  The landmark in question is Ladymans Cafe.

Ladymans has been operating in the same location since 1957, almost 50 years.  A big celebration was in the works.  Sadly the owner of Ladymans cannot afford to change locations.

As a teenager I frequented Ladymans often, especially for breakfast.¬† Ladymans is a dying breed in the restarant biz, the family run diner.¬† These diners take you away from the hustle and bustle of life, and make you feel welcome.¬† Something you don’t get from McDonalds, Wendys, you name it.

I will be sad to see it go.  I will try to stop in some more.

This town doesn’t feel anywhere near the same as it did even a decade ago.¬† It’s starting to make me wonder about how long other landmark parts of the city have.¬† There are currently¬†2 roundabouts in the city, with 1 more in the works.

It seems more like the UK than the good old US of A anymore.

UPDATE:¬† In the 6/23/06 HT it has been written that Ladymans may be able to stay!¬† The new owners plan to remodel the building, after that is complete they want¬†Ladymans to come back!¬†Plus the city is willing to help this Bloomington tradition stay alive.¬† I didn’t want to see this one go.¬† It¬†still could, but there still¬†is a chance it will stay.¬†