I have seen that also.
And so many other acts of kindness.
But the cause is really basic.
As we age... and the industry suggests about 55 years old is the start... we begin seriously preparing for retirement. For the 55 to retirement crowd, this may be a second home in our area that will either turn into their retirement final home... or a seasonal primary/second home. For the retired, they have at least partially completed the transition and the home becomes the primary... with it possible to become a seasonal primary/secondary home if they purchase a home ''down south''.
For a business... the parking is hard facility. It generally can't grow... it is as was designed during its construction; and the layout is serious planning board input.
So as we age, our area sees more seasonal and weekend traffic. The parking, that worked perfect before this phenomena reaches its peak in the coming years, is not enough cannot handle the surge.
Those of us that live here, either permanent or retired seasonal, must adapt our schedules to allow for the pre-retiree/second home weekenders to shop on Friday afternoon, Saturday morning, and Sunday afternoon as they enter our marketplace - thus improving customer efficiency and flow.
Our whole Meredith location was rebuilt not too many years ago around this phenomena. We changed the entire layout... moved the electric grid to underground to increase parking options.. and changed our schedule from half day Saturdays to full day adding Sunday. We openly discussed expanding hours Friday night and adding delivery on Saturdays... but decided against it.
Businesses are trying to adapt to the current norm... as we expect it to happen for quite a while... but something like hard facility is impossible to overcome. So as much as we can increase our customers' efficient use... the better experience we can deliver.
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