Seeking Culture

That which is excellent in the arts, manners, etc.

Moving from Detroit to suburban Daytona has been a bit of a culture shock. And by that I mean I am shocked at the lack of culture in my new city. Detroit was/is erupting with the type of growth that is specific to the area. New restaurants, shops, collaborative settings, and various scenes have created a unique feel that runs counter to the what I fear is the norm elsewhere. Not that Detroit is the only city with exciting new things popping up daily, but Daytona is not one of those cities. And that is the point.

I understand that in the name of progress, the sprawl is either coming to a city near you, or has already arrived in full-force. It would be silly to assume that reversing this trend is foreseeable if even possible. What I do propose is bringing some culture to the big-box universe. Colorful unique cities don’t sprout overnight. Step by step culture should permeate the existing landscape, eroding the mold, attracting inventive creative minds.

If the establishment is totally established, as it appears to be in Daytona, is there recourse? I think so.

National brands that transform every town to look like every town should get on the leading edge of this thing. A live music night inside a Chipotle, a pop-up art gallery in your local Buffalo Wild Wings, a used book sale at your neighborhood Publix, locally grown vegetables sold to customers at CVS.

This idea would bring burgeoning entrepreneurs to the people. At little to no cost to the organizations that have plenty to spend, a unique environment can be created instantaneously. Meanwhile, the risk to the start-up is eliminated. Instead of opening a used book store in a conventional brick and mortar set-up, a simple pop-up reduces cost and maximizes exposure. If all the people go to Anywhere USA, take it to the people.

I have doubts about the viability of such an idea taking flight. In the convoluted environment of corporate America decisions aren’t usually left to the local manager, although local managers understand his/her area to a much greater degree than those pulling the strings. It would take a forward thinking entity to implement such moves, one I’m not sure exists.

Individuals must drive this push. If action is requested, most businesses will acquiesce. If you live in Daytona, apply some pressure. If you live elsewhere, apply some pressure. This is not a unique concern, but the transformation can be universal.