PLATTSMOUTH, NEBRASKA (October 10, 2023) – Plattsmouth’s residents recently bared their hearts on a Facebook thread, illuminating aspirations reminiscent of countless American small towns. By drawing parallels with towns like Bisbee (Arizona) Braddock (Pennsylvania), and Picher (Oklahoma), Plattsmouth can find direction, inspiration, and cautionary tales while echoing the sentiments of its own community.
The conversation sparked a number of themes for Plattsmouth leaders to consider:
- Retail and Shopping:
- Desire for major retailers (e.g., Walmart, Target)
- Need for diverse grocery options (e.g., Aldi, Faraway, another store to compete with HyVee)
- Mention of past local stores (e.g., ShopKo, no-frills)
- Pharmacy and general goods (e.g., Walgreens/CVS)
- Entertainment and Recreation:
- Bowling and recreational facilities
- Past recreational venues (e.g., CR Lanes)
- Bookstore (and the shift to digital reading)
- Desire for venues for kids and teens
- Dining and Food:
- Varied dining options (e.g., non-Mexican restaurant, steakhouse)
- Fast food and chain options (e.g., Whataburger, McDonald’s, Chipotle, Panera Bread)
- Infrastructure and Basic Amenities:
- Need for improved infrastructure (e.g., water pipes, paved streets)
- Essential services like laundromats and dry cleaners
- Importance of having a hospital with an emergency room
- Local car wash improvements
- Business and Employment:
- Desire for venues offering decent livelihood opportunities
- Discussions on opening businesses (e.g., laundromat’s overhead costs)
- Humorous and Unique Suggestions:
- Combining seemingly opposing venues (e.g., a church and a strip club)
- Specific food chains (e.g., Popeyes, Church’s Chicken)
- Mention of an adult store
- Community Spaces and Services:
- Daycare services
- Importance of well-maintained parks
- A new or competing grocery store
- Desire for specialized stores (e.g., beauty products, medicine and bandages)
- Feedback and Community Interactions:
- Various levels of agreement and disagreement with suggestions
- Emphasis on personal preferences and respect for differing opinions
- Nostalgia for past businesses and venues in Plattsmouth
- Broad and Miscellaneous Suggestions:
- Pawn shop
- Shooting range and Home Depot
- Race track and casino
- Mention of a potential Aldi store and feedback from Aldi’s real estate director
Considering the diverse desires of Plattsmouth’s community, it’s beneficial to examine other towns with similar aspirations and challenges. One such example is Bisbee, Arizona. The town transformed from a mining center into an artist’s haven and tourist attraction.
Bisbee, Arizona’s Renaissance: Bisbee transformed from a mining epicenter to an artist’s haven and a thriving tourist spot. The key was embracing unique characteristics. As C.B. from Plattsmouth passionately stated, “it would be nice to have a place other than Hyvee to go shopping…it’s like what happened to the ShopKo…what happened to the no-frills?” This reflection underscores Plattsmouth’s potential to reinvent by tapping into its distinctive charm or history.
Braddock, Pennsylvania’s Tenacity: Braddock’s story of facing economic challenges only to rally around local businesses resonates with Plattsmouth’s desires. N.P.G. wished for “another restaurant that serves breakfast and lunch,” and L.P.B. hoped for a non-Mexican eatery, emphasizing Plattsmouth’s appetite for diverse experiences. Echoing Braddock’s story, Plattsmouth could turn these vocal desires into community-backed ventures, catalyzing economic rejuvenation.
Picher, Oklahoma’s Cautionary Tale: Picher’s environmental challenges led to almost complete abandonment, but before the exodus, there was hope. Plattsmouth, while not facing the same challenges, can glean the lesson of proactive action. T.M.’s urgent voice rings out, “Water pipes, paved streets, all new police, street maintenance, sewer plant… The list is endless,” emphasizing the importance of infrastructure, both man-made and natural.
Returning to the Plattsmouth discussion, J.G. expressed nostalgia for a “recreational/bowling facility” and lamented the closure of CR Lanes. His sentiment echoed by M.D. underscores the community’s hunger for shared spaces and experiences. Meanwhile, R.A.Jr. spoke to the town’s practical needs, highlighting the inconvenience of driving to Bellevue for basic amenities like a laundromat.
The conversation revealed not just desires but a sense of loss. D.N.R.S. wished for an “affordable grocery store,” echoing sentiments from other towns that experienced economic downturns. L.P.F. highlighted the lack of places “to buy beauty products, or medicine and bandages, besides a dollar tree and a dollar store,” hinting at the broader theme of needing diverse, local businesses.
Taking a cue from Bisbee, Braddock, and Picher, Plattsmouth’s journey ahead is clear. K.D.T.‘s succinct comment, “book store or pawn shop,” and T.P.‘s broader reflection on the need for “some entertainment other than bars, particularly family oriented” can serve as a compass.
The voices of Plattsmouth have spoken. As history has shown, towns that thrive are those that evolve with their community’s heartbeat. Business and community leaders of Plattsmouth have a golden opportunity before them—to listen, to collaborate, and to transform these voices into a symphony of progress and prosperity. The future of Plattsmouth hinges on this shared vision; it’s time to listen, engage, and act with purpose. We hope the business leaders and community organizers in Plattsmouth are listening.
A lot of these things have been pursued and a lot of these things are outside of what the city itself can do.