Callie:
The problem as i understand it is that the sight of a group of lounging youth at a storefront scares away business. Now that storekeepers, etc, would want to move these youth doesn't surprise me...that people are so intimidated by teens that they'll avoid shopping somewhere surrounded by them...that bugs me. Like you said, there aren't many other places for youth to go.
On the other hand, in my hometown we've had complaints about teens loitering for a long time...a couple of years ago my driving instructer (an awesome guy by the name of Dave)decided to give the teens a place to go...he sunk most of his savings into a youth club, with pool tables, dance floor, video games, etc....a teen's dream. It was a huge success....until a bunch of the regulars trashed the joint. Eventually it had to be closed down, and now the teens are on the streets again.
I gotta say tho, I like the idea of clearing storefronts with classical music...a lot friendlier way of doing it then passing anti-loitering bylaws. :-)
pax,
Ceit