Tradition Equals Success

       Visiting a local establishment on campus, I had the chance to step back and observe the scene.  I was the designated driver for a few friends as we were visiting a campus favorite, Harry's Chocolate Shop.  Located on a college campus this bar has it made.  Unlike a big city, consumers do not have to worry about driving home or (in most cases) finding public transportation to get home (like a cab or train).  By eliminating this extra worry consumers feel that they could have those few extra drinks that they normally would have to responsibly turn down.  These same consumers are surrounded by others in a similar age group, and if they are not, they all have the same mind set which is to drink and have fun.  The atmosphere not only screams fun but also encompasses the Purdue University tradition.  The bar has been around almost longer than my grandparents, opening in 1919.  To my knowledge, this is the only bar that can successfully and continuously draw in crowds ranging so drastically in age.  On any given night you could find consumers of the age 21 or 51 drinking together harmoniously.  Any other bar I've been to would almost visably shun (or look at in disgust) an older person coming into a bar for young adults.  Besides alcohol, the thing that ties a majority of consumers together in this establishment is their love for Purdue and its traditions.  If all this wasn't enough they throw in the popcorn.  I don't know what it is about this popcorn, but for some reason everytime I have it, I get this constant thought that there is no other popcorn in the world that could taste this great.  Nonetheless, the popcorn is something that all Purdue students relate to Harry's.  To prove how great their customer loyalty is, they don't have drink specials. Ever.  All patrons are aware of this fact, and yet they still have a steady flow of customers who are perfectly fine with this.  Every other bar must offer specials in order to stay competitive, but Harry's maintains this, almost, star status.  Whatever it is, this is place has figured it out and are successful at it.