LeClaire, IA is well known for its downtown shops and tourist attractions like the Buffalo Bill Museum and American Pickers. However, the town’s recent development has seen a shift to appealing to general convenience rather than catering to tourists.
River views and small downtown shops make LeClaire a fun destination for people to shop at and spend downtime in. The town has always had a nice, small town vibe and plenty of niche shops for people to check out.
Other locations such as the Buffalo Bill Museum and American Pickers original home base can draw in tourists looking for a unique place to explore. These locations offer something special that cannot be replicated in other towns.
“I enjoy shopping in the downtown area of LeClaire with my friends. It provides a unique experience you can’t quite find anywhere else,” said sophomore Maryl Meeboer.
Although the town has mainly relied on tourists being drawn in by the small town appeal and other events, development has pulled away from this tradition.
Notable recent additions to the town include large franchises like a Kwik Star and Starbucks. Both of these newly opened businesses have been conveniently placed close to I-80 in an attempt to attract passers-by from the interstate.
These large business chains are, for the most part, unfamiliar to LeClaire. Aside from the occasional gas station or fast food joint, LeClaire was previously filled with locally-owned businesses. The larger chains are targeted at ordinary drivers just passing through who wouldn’t have bothered to stop a few years ago.
Despite the complaints of citizens, the establishments were built and are performing well. It’s not uncommon to drive by the Kwik Star and see most of the pumps being used or the Starbucks and see a line in the drive-through.
“Everyday I drive past the Kwik Star on my way home from school and it always has business. I sometimes stop at it; the place is super convenient,” commented senior and LeClaire resident Clayton Miller.
This new business will continue to help LeClaire develop and might inspire similar establishments in the area. Some residents worry that this may take business away from the local downtown shops. “The shops downtown are essential to LeClaire’s economy. These new larger brands might take customers away from the local shops downtown,” stated resident Clark Lechtenberg
Many anticipate the future direction of the town’s focusses. LeClaire’s small businesses can only hope the town cuts away from this trend of convenience.
