A movie theater, a Thai restaurant, Chuck E. Cheese, a hospital and Cabela’s.

That’s what readers would like to see built on St. Joseph’s South Belt.

That’s right, the South End. The North Belt — with its Tar-jay and Olive Garden — is so three months ago.

The next up-and-coming place in St. Joseph is the South Belt. It’s got kitschy stores, local flavor and nice traffic access. Changing driving patterns inspired by $4 fuel and potential upgrades to the U.S. Highway 169 exit at I-29 give the area an even greater chance to expand.

The South Belt already has real estate waiting for renters: The strip mall near Wal-Mart, shops by DAV Thrift Store and The Commons development.

And boy, do people have some suggestions about what to build! The neat thing about www.stjoenews.net is that communication is no longer a one-way street. Readers can comment online and tell the newspaper just what they think about issues. A blog entry I posted recently asking for ideas for the South Belt has drawn nearly 70 comments.

A few people are hoping for Anne Taylor Loft and Banana Republic, upscale clothing stores. Not a chance.

Also not getting out of the starting gate are a vegetarian restaurant, Hen House supermarket or Thai restaurant.

The best recipe for success is to build things that complement the existing retail. One of the biggest South Belt draws is Menards, which has cut an impressive niche in the home improvement market. The UPCO pet and animal store is busy every time I go there. There’s also Harley Davidson, San Jose Steakhouse, Waffle House and Horizon Equipment, businesses that are, for the most part, unique with a sort of grassroots appeal to rural and working people.

I really like the idea of Chuck E. Cheese, a kid-crazed pizza parlor. Someone else suggested a laser tag or skate park or similar place for kids’ activities. East St. Joseph desperately needs a nice park and the South Belt may be just the place.

Another viable suggestion for the neighborhood was a sporting goods or outdoor store, such as Dick’s or Cabela’s. Okay, probably not those particular stores, but a regional or local store could make a splash.

You recommended a drive-in diner like the old Snow White, International House of Pancakes, White Castle, a cozy book store with a coffee bar and St. Luke’s Hospital.

And the most creative idea: a wormhole that instantly transports you to Kansas City. But if the South Belt gets half of these suggestions, who would need to go to KC any more?

Business editor Susan Mires writes a weekly column. She can be reached at susanm@npgco.com.