The founder of the Habitat for Neighborhood Business, Douglas Brown, observed the absence of retail and service businesses in economically challenged neighborhoods when visiting cities throughout the country in his years with Enterprise Rent-a-Car. With assistance from Saint Louis University Doug spent two years meeting with people in the neighborhoods he believed most needed renewal. Armed with the information detailed below and a conviction that something must be done he gathered friends and others of a like mind with significant skill and patience and together they launched HNB.
Fifty years ago many urban neighborhoods were virtual cities within a City. Residents were able to live, work, pray and play within their own community. Major street corners were alive with a variety of service and retail businesses, with cafes and restaurants mixed in. Local youth found work and learned valuable lessons from caring owners who became role models and provided a stabilizing influence to these communities.
In the early 60’s as residents increasingly migrated to the suburbs, much of the commerce supporting the population followed, leaving the remaining residents few neighborhood shopping options. This out-migration created a lack of economic investment in the most challenged neighborhoods resulting in fewer jobs, less tax revenues, and fewer neighborhood role models. With each business closing the situation worsened.
Today many civic, charitable, and religious organizations are working with residents to restore vitality to the housing within these neighborhoods, but at Habitat for Neighborhood Business we believe that retail and service businesses must become more robust and play an increasing role in each neighborhoods fabric. It is this specific focus that drives us to become the support and guidance for the business role models of the future. It is these people we believe today’s youth will learn to respect, admire and emulate. Today’s children are our future!
