Columbia economy doesn't rely on student spending
Local support means businesses can remain open in summer months.
Published Aug. 25, 2009
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Barber and shop owner Brad Holt trims the beard of a customer at the Tiger Barber Shop at Ninth Street on Friday morning. Businesses in downtown Columbia, such as Tiger Barber Shop, were not negatively affected by the absence of students during the summer.
The annual exodus of college students every summer from Columbia has a minimal effect on area businesses, which even during a nation-wide recession, carry on after students have packed up their belongings and headed home.
Special Business District Director Carrie Gartner said only a small portion of stores and restaurants see a decrease in sales and in the number of customers during the summer months.
"Businesses that normally see a decrease are those that tailor to students, but even with this decrease no one ever closes down for the summer," Gartner said.
SBD is a group that helps foster economic growth in The District, a 43 square block area of downtown with more than 150 businesses.
Gartner said the reason Columbia doesn't see a decrease in business is because people take advantage of students being gone to eat out at restaurants more often and browse shops downtown.
"It certainly is easier to find parking," she said.
Columbia Chamber of Commerce President Don Laird also said the absence of college students during the summer has a minimal impact on the local economy. He said sales tax revenue has decreased, but the economy was to blame for this more than the lack of students. But he said the impact of college students on Columbia's economy could not be ignored.
"Obviously, there is a real jump in fall," Laird said. "Thirty thousand more bodies make a real difference."
Several businesses in Columbia said they see business increase greatly in the fall and spring.
Jack Crump, manager of the Starbucks located on Ninth Street, said business nearly doubles when students come back. Britches Clothing manager Shena Doerr, who employs students and depends on them as a customer base, said she also sees greatly increased business once the fall semester begins.
"I go from four to five employees in the summer to seven or eight in the fall and spring," Doerr said.
There are some businesses downtown that aren't as student-reliant as Starbucks and Britches clothing. Tiger Barber Shop owner Brad Holt said business slightly slows down, but other people replace most of his student customers during the summer.
Gartner and Laird both said many businesses thrive during the summer because they cater to wide range of customers, not just students.
