Taking out the Trash: Green Bay-itis
Time for another edition of Taking out the Trash, the semi-regular posts that may or may not have something to do with saving money but are not specific deals. I have a lot on my mind so I’m cleaning out the “garbage” in my head by Taking out the Trash.
This week’s Fire Over the Fox celebration in downtown Green Bay had me trading emails with my Wingman, Steph. You see, Steph grew up on the east side of Green Bay and went to the fireworks displays that were held at Bay Beach Amusement Park.
However, I grew up on the west side and my family went to the Shopko-sponsored fireworks held at Lambeau Field. In fact, I was about 10 years old before I even knew about the “other” fireworks. A fireworks show for each side of the the city! (I know that’s not the only reason for two shows, but just go with me on this… )
This reminds me of something I call “Green Bay-itis”. That inability of some of the Green Bay population to cross that darn Fox River!
Another friend of mine, not a native of Green Bay but who lived here for several years, always thought it was funny that Green Bay had at least two of most big-name stores: one for the east side and one for the west. I’ve also talked to many people who do not shop at stores like Woodmans or Big Lots because they live on one side of the town and there’s only one store, “way over on the other side of town”.
It’s not just the river, either. It’s the outlying communities. De Pere to Howard is sooo far away for some people. Or Scott to Bellevue. Yet many people like my husband commute every day from Green Bay to Appleton or vice versa.
Ashwaubenon/Howard/West Siders, how many times have you had a conversation with someone from East Green Bay/Bellevue/De Pere, and the other person says, “I’m not going to go way over there!”
When we moved back to Green Bay following several years in Damn Near Dykesville, we picked a house in an excellent location so we didn’t have to go far for anything. It’s probably because of this I found myself falling into the Green Bay-itis trap.
About three years ago, I saw a fantastic deal for something at the Piggly Wiggly stores, a place I hadn’t bother to shop because it seemed so far away.
Know what I found out after I went waaaay out to Suamico? Olsen’s Piggly Wiggly is only 6 miles from my house. Larry’s in De Pere–7. That’s not far at all! After that discovery, The Pig became another store that I shop.
Green Bay-itis has been around since I can remember, even when gas was cheap! Somehow it didn’t take hold of me as much as others because besides that minor blip I mentioned above, I’ve never let a few miles deter me from a fabulous deal!
All kidding aside, I think Green Bay-itis is part of the reason Green Bay seems to retain that small-town feel even as the population grows.
Do you suffer from Green Bay-itis? Remember, admitting it is the first step to recovery! 
Have a fabulous weekend everyone!
Comments
7 Comments on Taking out the Trash: Green Bay-itis
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Joseph Prosser on
Fri, 6th Jul 2012 12:59 pm
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The Bargain Sleuth on
Fri, 6th Jul 2012 1:07 pm
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Kathi on
Fri, 6th Jul 2012 1:23 pm
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Amanda on
Fri, 6th Jul 2012 1:35 pm
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Manddi on
Fri, 6th Jul 2012 3:10 pm
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Sarah on
Fri, 6th Jul 2012 3:58 pm
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Joy on
Fri, 6th Jul 2012 4:40 pm
If you think Green Bay-itis is bad, talk to someone who grew up in De Pere!!! They still have two school districts.
Very true! I know we’re not the only city that suffers from the malady. But I thought De Pere finally combined them to the Unified School District?
I’m definitely of the “east side, west side” mentality. When I first moved here, I found it kind of funny how people wouldn’t go to the other side of town for anything. Now I follow right along with the everybody else! I figure if a merchant really wanted me to shop at their store, they’d build one on my side of town!!
My husband and I have noticed this, too. I have friends that have lived here all their lives that really don’t know anything about the east side because they grew up on the west side. I find it kind of funny, but at the same time I have caught myself falling into the trap as well.
We live in Neenah and I hate that I have to drive to Grand Chute or Darboy to go to Target or Festival even though its like 7 miles.
The Unified School District is all schools in De Pere. There is De Pere and West De Pere (kind of like Virginia and West Virginia). Those of us who grew up in De Per have to refer to De Pere as “East De Pere” when talking with outsiders, otherwise they ask, “Which side, east or west?” It is easier to just say east and go about the day. I think the sign in front of De Pere High School actually says, “East De Pere High School” now. To answer your question, the USDDP is all schools on the east-side of De Pere. West De Pere School District is its own entity.
Now for the original question – the only reason I don’t travel to the west-side more often (all the way from East Green Bay) is so that my children won’t fall asleep on the way home. If that happens, they only sleep for that 10 minutes and don’t take a nap. That’s not good for any of us 
Since I grew up in Allouez, but had to go “all the way over” to Southwest for Highschool – that alleviated some of the “Green Bay-itis” for me, but I totally know what you mean!
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