Letter to the Editor

We are a family owned business since 1909 in Austin — 104 years, same family name.

In the last couple of weeks we are very upset. We are all trying to get business in our beautiful downtown, and at 10 a.m. a few days ago, a community service person is marking the tires on all the cars parked on First Avenue Northwest because there are too many cars.

Really, we had three customers in our business at the time; each had a car. We have catered to customers for 104 years, and we love too many cars downtown!

Also, in the same month, an advertising person was parked on Main Street, and snow was on the curbside and onto the street. This person was giving a ticket for being too far from the curb. They did fight it, only after having the store owner come out to verify they were selling ads.

But the CSO said, “What are you doing downtown anyway?”

We think this is going a little too far as the business climate is trying enough in this economy. People should not have to pay a fine to shop. We all pay excessively for property tax on Main Street in historic downtown.

We love being in business in the original courthouse building.

“Come one, come all.”

Jean Hastings

owner, Hastings Shoe & Repair.