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Things have improved so much in Old Town Square that a planned meeting between merchants and teens was called off.

The Wednesday meeting was to have been the third in a series intended to smooth things out between the retailers and the teens and young adults who use the plaza at Seventh Street and Lincoln Avenue as a hangout.

"Overall, the kids have really responded to what we've had to say without any hassle," said Mike Killingsworth, owner of Mountain Juice Company.

Merchants in Old Town Square sell everything from CDs to sandwiches, and children's clothing to gifts. They had been increasingly frustrated with the behavior of some of the young people who frequented the plaza -- profanity, discarding of cigarette butts, and lounging across the stairs that lead to the shops on the lower level.

Now that the young people have heard the concerns of the merchants, they seem to be taking steps to correct the situation on their own.

"I saw an immediate improvement after the first meeting," said Shari Gleason of Felix and Fido, a gift shop for pets and their owners. "I think it was a real wake-up call for the kids. I think they were afraid they wouldn't be allowed to hang out there anymore. That was not the case at all, ever. We know they are among our customers. The bottom line was, we needed to see some respect."

Gleason credits Killingsworth and members of Main Street Steamboat for mediating the situation.

Killingsworth said it has been healthy for everyone to gather and exchange viewpoints. The young adults have heard members of an older generation back up their need for a gathering place. At the same time, they've received the message that they need to modify their behavior to avoid having a negative effect on the businesses.

"It has actually been easier than I thought," Killingsworth said. "They've really taken it on themselves to watch over themselves."

"Main Street has been a big help," Gleason said.

Main Street Executive Director Tracey Barnett sees some irony in the situation.

"The kids are doing what we want (other) people to do," Barnett said. "We need people to gather downtown."

-- To reach Tom Ross call 871-4205 or e-mail tross@steamboatpilot.com