Another "tool" local governments should consider giving their downtown businesses is the ability to move part of their business onto the sidewalk. Ordinances should not (without good reason) prohibit businesses from moving their displays (or samples) from the sidewalk in front of their business.
Even the most casual shopper can be lured in if their interest is peaked simply by passing by on the sidewalk. Here are a few examples (again) from downtown Naperville, Illinois. (Sorry folks, it's hard to find good examples in March, in Illinois)...
