I live in Uptown, and unfortunately, work in the suburbs where driving to the office is the only option.

I drive down Broadway frequently, yet because I am in a car, moving fast and fatigued from the long commute, I don't really notice businesses on that street.

Aside from driving to work, almost all of my other shopping and errands are done on bike or on foot (which is not soul-destroying like my car commute).  I almost never bike down Broadway, because it's unpleasant with the fast car traffic and car-centric businesses with large parking lots, spaced far apart.  Instead, I normally ride or walk to Andersonville.  I spend a LOT of money on Clark St.!  Because I bike, I can stop anytime and shop, and I notice all the businesses (which for the most part do not have parking lots and are closely spaced) and make mental notes of the ones I'd like to check out (that's how I started being a regular customer at Pie Hole on Clark and Argyle...).  And it seems also that I spend most of my money at businesses near bike corrals.

In short - businesses that want my money need to be in bikeable, walkable neighborhoods.

Maybe it's just me and other people who are already regular walkers/bikers that will reward businesses that make themselves accessible to transit other than cars.  Or maybe...people who only drive now will be attracted to a more pleasant shopping experience?

Long ago, when smoking was allowed in restaurants, a lot of business owners feared that smoking bans would hurt their business.  What they found was the opposite (maybe due to people like me who started eating out more as the experience became more pleasant).  Could the same thing be true for businesses that support biking/walking?  Maybe losing a car parking spot and adding a bike corral could really be a smart business move.

Any business people out there care to comment?