In the city of Clintonville, many restaurants, shops, and public spaces are available for residents as well as visitors. Along High Street between Cooke Road and Westwood Road, there are many food options making it accessible on foot or other forms of transportation like bus routes or car. Behind the food buildings, there are plenty of parking spaces available and wide sidewalks for foot traffic.
Most of the food accessible in this 7 block area are along the busy streets and so that people can have easier access to these restaurants. In some cases, the foods are near the residential homes for easier access but are limited. Outside of this 7 block area there are more food alternatives mostly closer to the corporation stores such as Target and Petco.
Unfortunately, within a 7-block radius, there are no accessible grocery stores which provides fresh produce, and healthier options. Most of the food options available are take-out and from their names like Hot Chicken, one can assume the food is not of a healthier option. Residents would consider their neighborhood to be a food desert for the reason of not having a nearby grocery store among the many residential streets and even a high school. The grocery stores for the residents within this 7 block radius is a driving distance away and can be easily accessible for people with a car, not as accessible for people who do not have one. Within a 5 min driving distance, grocery stores are accessible and available for those who have the means to afford the expense of a vehicle.
Small shops and restaurants are great for cities and towns to encourage small business to thrive but if there are not as many grocery stores nearby within suburban neighborhoods, there needs to be healthier food options for residents. By encouraging healthier options within a city, more restaurants can be more willing to offer healthier alternatives through the city. Instead of relying on the availability of grocery stores, planners and government officials can encourage businesses to provide healthier food options.
The demographics of Clintonville reveal that the distance between stores and residential neighborhoods are not a concern for the residents primarily because of their income as well as their primary mode of transportation. The majority of residents living in Clintonville have white collar jobs and have an average income of $81, 918.71. Since the majority of residents earn a higher average income, they can afford to invest in a car to drive the miles to purchase food at farther grocery locations.
