Dear Source:
How wonderful to have friends and family enjoying the festivities downtown during "Miracle on Main St." Holiday fun and spirit were in the air. Music playing, people talking and having fun. Unfortunately, this Destination Downtown committee event only occurs one day a year. What about the other 364?
Seventeen years ago, I was a member of the Retail Committee of the Chamber of Commerce. One goal was to help revitalize downtown by developing four events a year since stores, bars and restaurants were suffering due to crime (which we thought was bad then!). Beautiful, charming, historic Charlotte Amalie – once an exciting, fun, town of night clubs, live music, entertainment, restaurants, etc. – has turned into a frightening ghost town. These four events (remember "Christmas in July?") were to grow to 6 then 8 and, hopefully, to awaken this town at night once again – year round. The opposite has occurred. Now there is only one downtown "shopping" night. And most of the stores are closed. Bars and restaurants also get little to no business these past years since tents, booths and vendors are lined up everywhere selling drinks and food. The original intent of Destination Downtown has been lost: Miracle on Main St. is really Carnival in December.
I can’t believe 17 years have passed, crime is worse than ever, and people are afraid to come to town – except for Carnival time and Miracle on Main St when residents are having fun but few sales in stores and eating/drinking establishments. What is the goal of the Chamber of Commerce? How many Chamber members had a busy night Friday? Does the Destination Downtown Committee have other events planned?
The Real Miracle on Main St. is the fact that local residents were on Main St. at night. A miracle.
Paulette Keffas-Chassin
St. Thomas
