If you did not watch 60 minutes Hallowe’en night, you did not see the citizens of Newton, Iowa desperately grasping for any straw of hope in an local economy that is drying up. Newton, IA is just 29 miles east of Des Moines, with a population of just over 15,000. Delavan is not so different from this community. It really hit me that we here in Delavan are very fortunate to have the industries we do, especially in light of the recent Lake Lawn news. Our employed population is supported by a variety of light industry that feeds into businesses that have not been as seriously impacted by the recession. Has it still been a struggle? Absolutely! And, I have personal experience with the struggle.
I am the face of downtown Delavan, and of entrepreneurship in America. I opened my business 2 years ago in the historic blocks of downtown. I started my career working in banking, 5 days a week and having my weekends off. You can stop in any time for my full story, but my path was always leading me to the July 4 2008 date on which I opened my business here. What I have found to be true since I opened is that my initial desire to join your other downtown business members in their small club has proven to be one of camaderie, friendship, and a daily joy at meeting each customer who choses to honor us with their choice to purchase services or goods at our stores. Local Store owners are committed to your community!
We know that you have many choices for where to spend your family dollar. Do you know how much positive impact you truly have in the success of your local independent business owner? I became aware of a not- for- profit organization earlier this year that puts this all in perspective. The organization is the 350project.net, and you can look them up online. You may have heard of this endeavor as they have received some national press. It is an organization begun by a former retailer consultant, Cinda Baxter. She has worked very hard to find successful strategies for indepenent businesses. Here are some interesting numbers I found on their website:
If half the employed population in the U.S. spent just $50 each month in 3 independent businesses (that’s only $16 per month in each of the 3, folks), $42.6 billion in revenues would be generated. By spending that money in a locally owned business, you will see $68 of every $100 stay in your community. If you spend your dollars in a national chain, just $43 stays in your community, and if you spend it online, none of that money stays in your community. I realize it is not realistic to expect our modern population to completely forgo buying online, or looking for the best deals to be had at that big box store. I am only asking that you consider saving out $50 each month and spreading it around to your local independent retailers! We need you and your beautiful downtown district needs you in order to stay vibrant, attractive, and alive!
Laura Jacobs-Welch, owner
Brick Street Market
