Comments on: Supporting Small Business

By: Kris

Kris — Thu, 27 Nov 2008 12:53:32 +0000

My bookstore that i go to is a small business, the mom opened it 20 years ago and now the daughter runs it. They do new and used so it is very convenient. I can get my new books there and also glom back lists while saving some money. :givethaks

By: cherylann

cherylann — Wed, 26 Nov 2008 23:20:21 +0000

:happythanks :gobbler: :jiveturkey: Everyone

I am alsothankful for the fun of the Plotmonkey blogs, the people that visit here and the books all of you write
Ladies

By: limecello

limecello — Wed, 26 Nov 2008 22:29:44 +0000

Julie – great post! I do frequent certain small/specialty shops – especially for ethnic foods. But here, it’s relatively hard to do. I do avoid WalMart – I generally only step foot into it 3 times a year (and two of those are because I’m with people who wanted to go there). And, when buying things, I’ll shell out some extra cash for a product made in the US rather than elsewhere.
And I love trying family owed vs. chain restaurants. They’re oftentimes SO delicious!

By: michele

michele — Wed, 26 Nov 2008 22:16:07 +0000

Hi Julie I grew up in a small town with small businesses everywhere our first “fast food restaraunt” was a dairy queen my freshman year of high school 1991. I myself have been and still is a small business owner from leasing my stylist chair as a hairstylist for 7 years till moving to Florida I decided to take a break from hair but needed something to do every now and then so I took my love for handbags and started Michele”s Arm Candy
I have purse parties with designered inspired hand bags (not the fakes) but cute affordable handbags. My newest addition has been the Key finders hot hot items. it keeps me busy and gives me time to workon my writing.

Happy Turkey Day :gobbler: :bigturk

By: Julie Leto

Julie Leto — Wed, 26 Nov 2008 21:16:28 +0000

Ardie! Thanks so much for letting me know! You’re the first report!

I hope you enjoy it and THANK YOU so much for buying a copy!!!

By: Ardie

Ardie — Wed, 26 Nov 2008 21:08:00 +0000

Just an FYI everyone.

Julie, Border’s has Phantom’s Touch on the shelves. I picked mine up at lunch.

By: Donna M

Donna M — Wed, 26 Nov 2008 20:05:30 +0000

Julie, what a good subject for the season and a thought to keeping those small businesses going.

I live in a small town in northern California Wine Country, it is very much a tourist destination. The square has lovely boutique shops that have pricey merchandise. I do shop here in town at the places that are affordable to me. One is a small organic grocery store that was owned by good friends of mine, they have sold so they can retire but I still go there for a lot of things. There are two wonderful local bakeries in town that I patronize for their delicious offerings–yum! I also am a big, big fan of our Farmer’s Market which has it’s last day on Saturday until May when all the spring veggies etc. are ready for sale. The produce that you buy there is so good, very fresh, very tasty and all the vendors are friendly and helpful. I try to patronize local coffee places but don’t buy coffee out much these days as my funds are limited! We have two local independent bookstores but neither carry romance or hardly any. You might find Nora Roberts or a few big names like that but there is not much hope that they will change. They have that rather snobby thought that romance is trashy and not worth reading. The one store has a wonderful selection of cook books. I’m going to stop in there over the weekend and see what they have now that they have been open a few months. The original owners sold out to a small local area chain. I think they have about 4 stores open now all here in this county. Safeway has the best store here & is the most conveinient so I do shop there a lot & I do go the Wal-Mart because of the prices. I do not condone there employee treatment.

What ever you are doing enjoy your Thanksgiving, eat lots of good food, enjoy the day and time with family and friends. :givethaks If you are traveling stay safe. Ev, enjoy the parade.

:jiveturkey: :gobbler: :happythanks :turk2 :fourturks

I am thankful for the fun of the Plotmonkey blog, the people that visit here and the books all of you write. :yumturk

By: Janelle

Janelle — Wed, 26 Nov 2008 19:30:23 +0000

Such a great topic, Julie (and reminder for all of us to support those small businesses!), especially in this economy!

:fourturks

By: Karin

Karin — Wed, 26 Nov 2008 19:16:12 +0000

Cher, I love the Tattered Cover. I don’t mind the LoDo store, but that could be because it’s the closest one to me and I never knew about the Cherry Creek location. Not that I would’ve gone there because I have a serious aversion to anything having to do with Cherry Creek.

As for small businesses, I try to use them as frequently as I can. My dad’s family used to run a book bindery but they ended up having to sell off the machines and close down due to economy problems in the late 80′s and early 90′s when I was still really young. I have fond memories of playing around and diving into big bins full of paper scraps. When my siblings and I were old enough, we all helped out doing hand work at the shop, like collating booklets and whatnot. After he started working where he works now, which is another small, family run print shop/bindery, I would go down as contract labor and run the shrink-wrapper to package jobs so they could be shipped out. There is a lot to be learned through small businesses.

I hope everyone has a fantastic Thanksgiving tomorrow! :jiveturkey:

By: Patricia

Patricia — Wed, 26 Nov 2008 18:16:41 +0000

Julie, I totally agree with your thoughts about small businesses. I won’t shop at WalMart because I’ve read how they treat their employees, working them to the breaking point, no OT, etc.–I don’t care about the cheaper prices.

In the greater L.A. area, it’s hard to find a small grocer. Yet, I have shopped at one in Burbank for the last 25 years. It has the best produce (& cheaper prices), its own fresh meat counter & pretty much any staples you’d want. Other than the staples the prices for the others are less than at the big markets. It’s stayed competitive by doing catering for the film/TV studios, &, on Saturdays, BBQing TriTip roasts (& also using them for sandwiches), as well as ribs & chickens on an large outside grill. The smell brings in a huge crowd. When it can, it buys produce from local individuals & farms. Just looking at the produce keeps you returning, & I try my best to buy ALL my items that it stocks. Even if the prices were a little more, I wouldn’t buy my produce anywhere else. It’s just the best.
Sometimes, keeping small businesses in business is more important than saving a small difference in $. JMHO.