"When you choose to support a local business, it's more than just a decision about which building to walk into. It's about the people and relationships, the familiar faces and iconic places that make your town worth visiting."
Thursday, December 17, 2015
Think Before You Walk Into Another Big Box Retailer this Holiday Season
Small businesses are the heart and soul of our towns, neighborhoods and cities. They are more than "just" a building, or a shop, they are someone's life who loves where they live. Most owners don't do it for the money - they do it because they ARE the community and part of the community is in them. Don't wait - invest in your independents now.
Choosing a Locally-owned Business "Why I'm Standing in a Tribles Appliance Parts Store"
I'm standing at the counter of a the local appliance parts/repair piece/fix it place. I'd ordered the part a few days ago and just picked it up, which for us IS well out of our comfort zone but some reckless voice inside our collective heads apparently spoke and we listened. Following a sort of breakdown in communication with an appliance repair guy, and knowing this shop was here, we have courageously (or was it drunkenly), opted to try and replace part of the dryer on our own.
Sunday, December 6, 2015
Small Business Casualties: Is One-Stop Shopping Killing Us?
I first wrote a rough draft of this back in 2009 as I began to observe the attraction of the big box stores for consumers. Worried that the independents may be fading in popularity by seeing a shift towards the “get it all under one roof” mentality, it appeared there were changes ahead for our small businesses.
Tuesday, October 27, 2015
Small Business vs. Town Politics: Water's Edge Cafe in Crisfield, Maryland
It's happening again folks....one more small business is up against their town over an issue that should be and is fixable. I'm sick over this. Waters Edge Cafe is in the same town that our cover photo on facebook is from - there are many more pictures just like it of vacant buildings, "for rent" signs and empty streets.
Back in September the owners had been very kind to me with a community project we were doing. As one of the only people who welcomed us to set up for the afternoon to connect with people, it really struck me that in town of forgotten buildings and departed businesses, that so many folks were coming to their restaurant that day. In the middle of the week, during the day. Because they are worth it.
When will community leaders "get it"? These laws and zoning restrictions and parking issues ARE fixable. Rulings can be changed and properties can be rezoned - but many small towns are already losing the things that matter - and yet when they have something wonderful come in, they don't seek to retain it. I'm floored. Here is the facebook post from the local newspaper, Crisfield-Somerset Times
Some of the comments on this topic show clearly how people feel.
"Why would the city REALLY want to deny the waiver?? Common sense. Please use common sense. Please waive this OR convert your picnic area to a parking lot. Closing this restaurant would be ONE more dagger in the back for this town! IS that what you really want??"
"I am completely dumbfounded by this. Why would "town leaders" want to give a thriving business such trouble? Common sense should prevail.... I support the restaurant...."
"This is ridiculous. Given the current economic status of the city it would be more prudent to grant a waiver. Preserving the existence of a thriving business that is loved and desired by the community should be enough to support a waiver. In addition perhaps it's time to review existing ordinances for their relevance in today's environment."
UPDATE 10/28/15: "Crisfield's parking problems to be addressed" - post from the Crisfield-Somerset County Times https://www.facebook.com/CSCountyTimes/posts/1160786617279592
UPDATE 12/3/15: Cash registers stolen from Crisfield cafe
http://www.csctimes.com/courts-cops/police-investigating-burglary-at-waters-edge-cafe
http://www.delmarvanow.com/story/news/local/maryland/2015/12/03/cash-registers-stolen-crisfield/76737168/
Water's Edge Cafe is located in downtown Crisfield, Maryland.
https://www.facebook.com/Waters-Edge-Cafe-617616871655711/
Back in September the owners had been very kind to me with a community project we were doing. As one of the only people who welcomed us to set up for the afternoon to connect with people, it really struck me that in town of forgotten buildings and departed businesses, that so many folks were coming to their restaurant that day. In the middle of the week, during the day. Because they are worth it.
When will community leaders "get it"? These laws and zoning restrictions and parking issues ARE fixable. Rulings can be changed and properties can be rezoned - but many small towns are already losing the things that matter - and yet when they have something wonderful come in, they don't seek to retain it. I'm floored. Here is the facebook post from the local newspaper, Crisfield-Somerset Times
Some of the comments on this topic show clearly how people feel.
"Why would the city REALLY want to deny the waiver?? Common sense. Please use common sense. Please waive this OR convert your picnic area to a parking lot. Closing this restaurant would be ONE more dagger in the back for this town! IS that what you really want??"
"I am completely dumbfounded by this. Why would "town leaders" want to give a thriving business such trouble? Common sense should prevail.... I support the restaurant...."
"This is ridiculous. Given the current economic status of the city it would be more prudent to grant a waiver. Preserving the existence of a thriving business that is loved and desired by the community should be enough to support a waiver. In addition perhaps it's time to review existing ordinances for their relevance in today's environment."
UPDATE 10/28/15: "Crisfield's parking problems to be addressed" - post from the Crisfield-Somerset County Times https://www.facebook.com/CSCountyTimes/posts/1160786617279592
UPDATE 12/3/15: Cash registers stolen from Crisfield cafe
http://www.csctimes.com/courts-cops/police-investigating-burglary-at-waters-edge-cafe
http://www.delmarvanow.com/story/news/local/maryland/2015/12/03/cash-registers-stolen-crisfield/76737168/
Water's Edge Cafe is located in downtown Crisfield, Maryland.
https://www.facebook.com/Waters-Edge-Cafe-617616871655711/
Tuesday, October 20, 2015
Support Small Business Saturday Where You Live
Small business owners have so many options to promote and celebrate Small Business Saturday. Create an event, offer goodies to your customers or consider partnering up with other indie retailers in the area. When everyone works together to promote one another, your town, main street or local community can market itself as a destination and family attraction for the day! A multi-layered marketing campaign which works to attract visitors across a wider platform, say for example geared towards the whole family, is a win win for any community. Pair up the specials and rewards so that while mom is buying for her sisters, the kids are enjoying pizza at the arcade and dad is kicking back with a personalized shopping assistant in another store.
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