In the heart of the city

This business has been locally owned and operated in downtown Tucson since 1945.
Lots of things have changed in that time. Not just in the world at large, but downtown. This is the last remaining jewelry store here. In fact, it's one of a very few shops. We are not really in the little bit of a shopping district there is. This is the financial district, we are surrounded by banks and government offices.
But, none of that is too interesting. Last night at a Local First meeting I heard someone bemoan the fact that Sheraton is building a hotel next to the Convention Center. That's a corporate hotel that will change the face and feel of downtown, presumably for the worse. I realized when this comment was made that a Walmart could be built downtown and lots of people would be happy. That says a lot about the state of annoyance and frustration over the lack of progress on the downtown revitalization track, sadly.
Tucson has always had great civic pride, but something else has taken over the downtown area. Or, more accurately, something has left the downtown area: commerce. Blame city politics or urban sprawl or archaic building codes or rich out of town building owners. Or Pima County.
None of that matters much. Where we go from here is the important thing. Yet, we need to know what we are fighting. Other than public perception. That's changeble. What's happening behind the scenes? Who's in charge here that is getting in the way of small business start ups and success?
All I can do is this. Talk and keep the doors open and support other local businesses. And pray.
-Deanna, employee