Commerce: Chain vs. whole in the wall & family owned

Milton is a street for business. There are chains and privately owned businesses along this corridor. Most of the businesses pertain to locals, while a few pertain to tourists on this particular segment. However, if one walks or drives further South on Milton Avenue toward the I-17 and I-40 interchanges there is an abundance of chain fast food restaurants and chain businesses that pertain to a mixed audience.

Most of the businesses are stores for specific items, such as the gun store or Barnes and Noble Book Store. Having most of the businesses oriented toward the local people of the town exemplifies in planning that they may have been protecting the downtown. As well, downtown isn’t zoned for commercialized, business and along Milton they can advertise through flashy signs and oversized architecture.

Although Milton does have a few motels, many tourists would probably prefer to stay downtown or further along Route 66 to get an authentic small town experience, but the noise of the train often defers tourists away from this sector. Flagstaff might not have existed if it weren’t for the fact that the town sprung up during the building of the intercontinental railroad. While passenger train travel isn't what it used to be, freight trains and Amtrak still ride the rails that run through the middle of downtown at all hours. However, Milton Avenue is the one way in and out of town; therefore the motels located along this sector may be more likely to acquire business, because they are the first motels that they came to and the further from downtown it tends to be less expensive. Although, with the car being such an enabler to peruse the city this may also be a negative effect on businesses that appear closer to the freeway interchange.

The university can be seen from Milton as well, which draws attraction and leads toward the historic downtown. The city has recently changed around this sector specifically building the High-Country Conference Center and the Drury Inn. This will attract many tourists, because it is within walking distance of both downtown and the university. Milton Avenue is a gateway from the freeway to the city, with chain fast-food restaurants lining the road as you head toward the historic downtown; it gives Flagstaff and the surrounding areas a small town feel. The landscape along Milton is quite spontaneous and allows for many options for businesses. As the city and the economy changes, it will be interesting to see the transformation of this section of the city.