We should make the effort to support local merchants
It’s no secret the national economy has been less than perky over the last year. What was already shaky ground was intensified by the tragic events of Sept. 11.
Among the worst hit has been the airline industry, which has been forced to ask for a federal bailout and still remains in a financial crisis. Now a number of airlines are slashing workers as the only way to make ends meet.
Corporate corruption hasn’t done the economy any favors either. Faced with dishonesty and faulty bookkeeping, investors have become easily suspicious of misdoings in big business and have been keeping their money in their pockets as a result.
On the local level, we don’t have to worry about billion dollar corporate scandals or commercial airline flights, but the economy is very much a concern. Local industries have left, major retailers have gone out of business and existing merchants are certainly not enjoying glory days when it comes to sales.
The business at Three Star Mall has taken a perceptible dip and that was to be expected with the departure of its largest store, Kmart. Not only was Kmart a draw for local consumers, but it was also a draw for Smithville and Sparta residents, to name a few.
Those consumers who once flocked to Three Star Mall to shop at Kmart no longer have their business spill over to other stores. That money is now being spent elsewhere.
It’s like that at several places around town. The downtown area has lost such anchors as Fraley’s, Touch ‘O Klas and Western Auto. Those stores all gave shoppers a reason to visit downtown.
As a result, other downtown merchants have felt their business suffer. Less people on Main Street logically means there are less opportunities to make sales.
What can be done during these undesirable economic times? The best thing we can do for the Warren County economy is spend our money right here at home.
Do business with the people who do business with you. Stay at home and shop at stores owned by friends and neighbors.
The economy will gain steam eventually. It has shown signs of emerging from the tough times and it has slipped back again.
More than anything, we are stuck in what many experts and analysts term a normal economic cycle. There will be periods of brisk sales and there will also be slowdowns.
That’s why it’s important during these times of struggle to patronize our local merchants as much as possible. These are people who are trying to make a living and in many cases trying to support a family. We should all make the effort to give our homegrown businesses much-needed support.