We can’t continue to neglect our downtowns

I was a kid in the old days, when the hub of Long Beach was downtown, Park Avenue. We called the area Town, and we never had to leave it.

Everything was there, from pizza for 25 cents a slice to record shops. There were four men’s stores practically next to each other. If you wanted a hot dog or a potato knish (also 25 cents), there were three kosher delis, all on the same block.

And it wasn’t just Long Beach. All of the communities on the South Shore had their own versions of Town — Freeport, Hempstead, Lynbrook, Valley Stream — all busy, thriving commercial destinations.

Flash forward 50 years, and it’s safe to say that downtown is no longer the hub of Long Beach, or any of those other communities. The mall at Roosevelt Field fired the first volley in the 1960s. Then all the big department stores grew branches on Long Island. Chain pharmacies, discount outlets and superstores began to take their toll on our fading downtowns.

But most of all, suburban life changed. Housewives became working women, and no longer had time to window-shop in Town anymore. Families bought second cars, and could shop for bargains out of Town. Competition for consumer dollars became fierce and unyielding; Town stores just couldn’t match the prices.

The Internet rained down yet another blow on downtowns everywhere. It was a silent, sneak attack. Amazon Prime closed up more local shops than high rents ever did. My grown-up kids rarely go to a store anymore. They buy everything online. And yes, the stuff really does get there the next day.

So maybe it’s over for suburban downtowns everywhere. Perhaps we should just say goodbye. Town may be like Tang and typewriters and telegrams. Good riddance. Who needs it?

Long Beach, that’s who. We need our Town back more than ever.

Yes. While, communities have radically changed economically, socially and culturally in the last 50 years, one truism has remained constant: A healthy downtown remains the key to a strong community. A commercial district is still the most visible indicator of a community’s political, economic and social health. It’s a matter of pride!