General Store

In the same way a general store would be run, Lucknow needs to run its downtown as a unified traditional retailer carrying a broad selection of merchandise packed into a relatively small area where travelers and people from the town and surrounding rural areas can come to purchase all their general goods. The bones of this concept exist today, with friendly personalities and essential products that range from fresh local food to all you need to build a house.  People do travel out of town for some specialized items (i.e. electronics), the same way you had to order specialty items into the general store or from catalogues. However, there is plenty of opportunity for Lucknow to meet the community’s everyday needs. 

Additionally, Lucknow has the potential to cater to a growing consumer trend related to the small, localized shopping experience.  People want to know where their products are coming from and build a relationship with those that are serving them.  People want to buy their meat from the butcher, apples from the local orchard, and buttertarts from the bakery.   Lucknow has all the makings of the local general store with unparalleled customer service.  With some ingenuity and dedication to developing this identity and targeting the traveling visitor market, the downtown can return to a bustling commercial area.