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Idea for: Other
Shop locally Small towns will not survive into the future unless people living there decide to start shopping in their local stores and ban all WALMARTS. This megacorporation is a killer of small towns. They do little to improve the local economy, except provide some low-paying jobs. The largest amount of money from the store flows out of the community and the state to the headquarters. They are purveyors of cheap goods, produced for the main part in China. So for all those patriotic Americans, who so love our flag and country, the best thing they can do for their small towns and country is to buy locally--at their small hardware, grocery and gift stores. From Kate Crowley of Willow River, MN on 05/20/05
Rating:  The stores that will survive the competition from the big box stores are the business that offers something that the Boxes do not. These things are special services such as high school sports items, jackets, shirts etc., unique services such as art preservation and framing, and local items, special groceries, meats, local cheeses. Or a store with quick in and out. Some segments of our community must shop price, some can shop speciality items. We must market to the speciality item people From Sally Carpenter of Three Rivers, MI on 11/02/07 Rating: I agree that the small town citizens should shop their home town merchants first. But changing America's taste for cheap and easy shopping in large department stores will be as easy as sweeping back the ocean. From marlena hodson of carney, OK on 05/15/07 Rating: It is difficult to imagine creating real change in this area. For rural communities, "shopping trips" are part of the social culture. Why not assist local businesses in expanding beyond the local market? Perhaps a niche to supplement current business, partnerships with other rural businesses, etc. There is incredible strength, and success, in numbers! From Barb Owen-Boerger of Int'l. Falls, MN on 11/06/06 Rating:  My wife and I have owned a small department store in Pine River Minnesota for 28 years. The store was started by her parents in 1947. We are one of only a few of our kind left. Thanks to the "big box" syndrome. We have opened early, stayed late, delivered to sick and shut-ins, crawled on the floor fitting a kid's shoes and donated to about every cause a small town can come up with. We would like to retire someday, but unless buying habits change, we may be forced to close this area asset. From John Wetrosky of Pine River, MN on 08/06/05 Rating:  Big box retailing can have a huge impact on rural America, sometimes positive and and often negative. Isn't it time for Minnesota to follow the lead of other more progressive states and mandate an economic impact study for any big boxer? From Al Kruger of Grand Rapids, MN on 06/02/05 Rating: I agree that in an ideal world, we would all but our goods and services from the local shopkeeper. The fact is that that is simply not possible. Let's say I want to buy a book. My town doesn't have it. Well, they could order it, & it would be here in a few weeks, or I can go on Amazon and have it here tomorrow for less than the local guy charges. Same for shoes, shirts, tires...nearly everything. WalMart isn't the problem - To survive, small towns must diversify to non-staple items. From Michael Corbin of Medford, MN on 06/02/05 Rating: Chris - Your idea on campaigning on "QUALITY over quantity" is brilliant. I think a lot of people would be able to easily relate to this. And it's not just the quality of the purchased item(s), but the overall shopping experience, e.g., store enviroment, customer service. The problem now is finding a way to get this and all of this discussions great ideas across to people in great number -- an soon! From Adam Olson of Minneapolis, MN on 06/01/05 Rating: From Marta Ljungkull of Cumberland, WI on 05/29/05 Rating: Yes if we don't shop locally, the stores close & we end up driving 20-30 miles for our needs. From Richard McCargar of North Branch, MN on 05/28/05 Rating: If small town residents want to maintain their unique commerece areas, community members must sacrifice the low cost of a WalMart or Menards and shop at local hardware stores, lumber yards, drug stores, etc. I know I pay slightly more, but I always feel good about supporting small local business rather than saving a few bucks at a big box chain. From David Mucha of Northfield, MN on 05/28/05 Rating: If we can keep going a little longer trying to get the local businesses to survive, I think a lot of people are going to backlash against the Wal-mart culture of hyperconsumerism. Once that happens, shopping locally will be the trendy thing to do because people will value not only the product they're buying but the support they're giving the business and the town in general. People need to be more informed about what their money does--every dollar is a vote for what stores you want to survive. From LeAnna Lesmeister of Moorhead, MN on 05/27/05 Rating: Walmart is not the problem, folks. We are. If all we care about is low price, then we are destined to have a Walmart or other big-box clones in every small town in America. Low price generally equals low quality. We need to be emphasizing local QUALITY over quantity and not just mindlessly going shopping for junk day after day. The key to small town vitality is to keep the dollars circulating repeatedly within the town, NOT circulating back to some mega-corporation's headquarters. From Chris Norbury of Owatonna, MN on 05/27/05 Rating: Unless the budget is really tight there's no better way to keep the local guy around. You rely on them when the weather is bad or when you just need a couple of things. Think before you drive to the big box store with your shopping list. Lotsa stuff can be purchased locally at a competive price or at better quality. Look close at that list and split the stuff out that you can by locally. From Don Larson of Crosslake, MN on 05/26/05 Rating: When you shop at a locally-owned business you not only support that business, but also local accountants, printers, attorneys, etc. who have business customers. The world is getting smaller, but place-based economics has never been more important. From John Hamerlinck of St. Cloud, MN on 05/25/05 Rating: Yes, it is a great idea to shop locally, but we need to work with local business owners on that. We need to pledge to shop locally IF they will keep prices a little more competitive. It seems local businesses could sell more if they would just sell for less, but they need assurance people will shop there. We need better communication and cooperation between the local stores and local people. It is a Catch-22 but communication can be place to start. From Leland Rueb of Onamia, MN on 05/25/05 Rating: From VIctoria Ford of Saint Paul, MN on 05/23/05 Rating: Supporting local business also helps preserve the character and individuality of small towns, which can attract new residents and tourists looking for somewhere unique amid all the cookie-cutter, chain-store-dominated suburban and urban centers. From Lena Ranieri of St. Paul, MN on 05/21/05
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