They were called GAY Marts. It was a smashing success in CA but bombed in Erie. Our store on State street was continually vandalized and my life partner Todd feared for his life every time we went dancing. I left Erie 18 years ago to work in Beaver County, Pennsylvania. I travel throughout western PA and eastern Ohio and truthfully the entire area is similar.
People can be judgemental.
People are proud of their heritage. The majority are blue collar workers. Their world is their town and community. No, new age business do not grow here. People move to warmer areas and college graduates do not stay.