Downtown Clinton is becoming more "shoppable".
Community Improvement Coordinator Angela Smith says as part of their Shoppability Project which was designed to make the Clinton downtown more "shoppable" and easier to access, they have installed automatic door openers and grab bars and door bells for people who need assistance.
Smith says the next step is to give each business that requires it, a ramp. Smith says she's received some grant funding.
"So each store that has a step will be provided with a Stop Gap ramp and that will be a portable ramp that may be inside or outside of the store, depending on the weather. But anyone who would like to use the ramp and it isn't visible is asked to please just ring the door bell. Smith says the merchants will be more than happy to come and move the ramp outside for them," Smith explained.
Fifteen ramps have been ordered. And Smith says one of the things they learned from this project is how many barriers there can be that go unnoticed by people who don't have a particular challenge. She says she went back to visit one store that had recently installed an automatic door opener and they were very surprised by how much that increased the traffic in their store.
"They were just over the moon about how much business had increased in the young mom's market. She said we always have young mothers and fathers pushing strollers in here and we never saw that before. She said there are always strollers in our store now because it's easy for them to get in," added Smith.
Ultimately, Smith says that is what makes the downtown more "shoppable" for everyone. It isn't just about a disability. It's for everyone.