In the past week we’ve heard (and confirmed) that multiple Chippewa Valley bars/restaurants have closed their doors. Haymarket Grill did so early last week, while we heard about the London Road El Patio and more. Bummers all around.

These closures will no doubt start conversations like “this area doesn’t have enough people to support this or that,” or “the economy claimed a few more.” Yada. Yada. And more yada.

What isn’t often reported when these things happen is the cyclical nature of business that, in this case, will be a net gain in a mere few weeks.

In October, Eau Claire’s downtown alone is supposed to see the openings of Smiling Moose Deli, The Fire House (a bar), Tempo (a café), Obsession Chocolates’ massive new operation, and a couple expansions. Not to mention we’ve seen Jeff Thompson Photography and Renata Marie (a boutique) open already in the past month.

In Menomonie the State Theatre Downtown Cinema is reopening and a Mexican restaurant is on its way. Oh yeah, and out by the mall we’re getting a HuHot. And these are just the ones we’ve heard about.

So while we all entertain a moment of silence for these closures (Haymarket is particularly a bummer, in my opinion), let's follow that with a quick raise-the-roof. Do people still raise the roof?