Stop counting ribbon cuttings. Start counting survivors | Opinion

Every time a local business closes in Avondale, the neighborhood loses more than a storefront. It loses jobs, services, and crucial pieces of generational wealth. For too long, our focus has been on ribbon cuttings. It is time we start looking at the ribbon closings and the reasons behind them.

The list of shuttered businesses is sobering. From childcare centers to local eateries, these closures represent lost dreams and vacant spaces. When these disappear across sectors, they are not isolated failures. They are symptoms of a systemic problem. Many businesses on Reading Road struggle because the corridor functions as a pass-through for commuters rather than a destination for shoppers.

Economic development requires a shift in how we measure success. True progress is not found in how many businesses open, but in how many are still thriving a decade later. We need to move beyond neighborhood boundaries and individual short-term thinking. While some organizations continue to fight for survival, the goal must be prosperity. We need a strategy that fosters longevity, profitability, and local ownership.

We have the plans and the upcoming transit investments. What we lack is a unified approach. By establishing a Reading Road Improvement District, we can connect existing efforts through shared leadership and accountability. This district could focus on business retention, access to capital, and public safety. These are the foundational elements that make success possible for entrepreneurs.

This is not a new idea. It is an unfinished one written across multiple neighborhood plans. We must act to create an environment where businesses prosper and families build wealth. The next chapter for this corridor will be determined by the decisions we make today. It is time to connect these investments and prioritize the people who live and work here.