Can you tell a book by its cover? How about a city by the types of businesses it attracts? As we look at what is happening not only to our downtown Long Beach but also throughout some parts of our city, we should be alarmed. I will grant that the “under a dollar” retailing store concept has proven to be successful and in many cases an opportunity for some citizens to reap the benefits of a good deal, but let’s take a closer look at those that trumpet the “way under a buck” concept and couple that store with a check cashing neighbor. Now it is time to draw the line.

I believe it is fair to say that check cashing stores may, in some instances, be a convenience; however, a shadow economy could also be the expected outcome from many of these locations, especially since they locate around some of our more economically disadvantaged areas. Typically these specialized operations also settle in parts of our city that unfortunately generate the highest crime rate statistics.

Long Beach is now a city that has joined the big leagues of urban centers. Our city has been the beneficiary of hundreds of millions of dollars in development that created a transformation especially along Ocean Blvd and up the Pine Avenue corridor. Should the shadow of check cashing stores and lower end retailing that specializes in cheap imports become part of the upscale neighborhoods that are fast becoming home to a new generation of Long Beach citizens?

It’s time for strong elected leadership to step in and curtail these less than complimentary establishments gaining a foothold in areas that deserve better. With the resurgence of many of our neighborhoods, the possibility of gaining the interest of high end retailing could not be any better. We’ve always struggled to define ourselves as a city by the sea that deserves and can support the likes of stores that seek out safe and attractive retailing corridors. This will never be the outcome our city’s residents deserve when city hall looks the other way and considers these questionable operations as something of blessing to our neighborhoods.