Local businesses closing down has sadly been the recent trend. Eating is more than just basic need; it is a social activity. With every aspect of Americans’ lives being affected by the economy, eating out sometimes must be sacrificed.

CNN recently reported how one business in Kettering, Ohio is keeping up with the economy in a creative way. The business, the Java Street Café owned by Sam Lippert, took all the prices off the menu and asked the customers to pay the price they thought was fair. Surprisingly, this method didn’t flop like the food on the grill. It actually helped improve Lippert’s business.

Michael K. Fitzgerald, owner of DeKalb’s own Java 101 (not to be confused as a franchise), at 901 Luncinda Ave. Suite I, thinks this method isn’t fit for DeKalb, because most of the customers are college students. He says even if his business were not located on a college campus, he would still not agree with the methods, because it is the customer’s right to know what the prices are.

To keep up with the economy, Fitzgerald has used a more traditional method.

“I cut back on employees, I’m going to have to raise prices because taxes are going up…I offer a ‘buy 10 get one free’ deal, I try to get live entertainment to attract people, and I use posters to advertise my latte prices, which is $2.35, the best prices in town.”

Freshman psychology major Sam Berta said she eats out less, because everything gets expensive and being a college kid, she is short on money.

She says she would pay a fair price because, “I would feel so guilty, that you’re basically robbing them, because obviously you’re going to say a cheap price. I’d feel bad.”

Freshman undecided major Bridget Parlich disagrees. She thinks she would pay less than what she thought was fair, but says she would probably offer a more fair sum if she had to look the person in the eye and say her total.

This creative business tactic was a success in Ohio, but would it work on NIU’s campus? Local businesses should test the strategies, for instance, by making it a Monday special. However, some businesses may be leery to do so.

“It wouldn’t work here because we’re all poor college students and we’d only pay 10 cents if we had the choice to … It would be a good strategy in a different area for people who had more money.”

Needless to say, this clever strategy worked out for Lippert in Ohio. Let’s hope more local businesses work out so we can stop losing the restaurants we enjoy going to. Specials that lure are great perks for consumers and help save businesses in a weak economy.