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Written by Lauren Salem
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Friday, 14 November 2008 15:49 |
 In Support of Local Businesses
Local businesses fight a constant battle to survive in their own communities– a battle against intruding chain stores that will potentially crush them if they’re not stopped.Local merchants need to be supported because they offer more to the community than chain stores. Chains attempt to clone the entire country so that people can’t tell the difference between towns or cities, e.g., Kingston and Philadelphia. Local independents remind us why we like being unique.
“We’re just always available,” said Jim Gaudino, owner of Cook’s Pharmacy. “We have employees who have been with us for years, know their job and the industry, and are very knowledgeable about pharmacy.”
Cook’s Pharmacy has been in Kingston for more than 40 years and is well-known for its customer service and sponsorship of baseball teams. Gaudino is present at the pharmacy nearly every day to help customers with any problems, and has been known to come to work in the middle of the night if a customer needs something.
“I like that it’s local people who own the businesses and that you get more personal attention,” said customer Kim Valatka.
Cook’s Pharmacy also keeps its prices competitive with those of chain stores in order to give the customer the best deal possible. According to Gaudino, chains often promote misconceptions about pricing by claiming they have lower prices on certain items, which in turn makes customers believe they’re going to save money. He explained that those who shop at chains typically spend more money than they planned to.
“Small businesses try to have things that are a little more unique,” said Maria Mattern, owner of Mattern’s Floral and Design, on Market Street, in Kingston. “And, they get to know their customers a little bit better. I think a lot of people like that personal touch.”
Mattern’s is the combination of a full-service flower shop, home accessories store, and gift shop, where customers can find a variety of unique products in a serene atmosphere–much different from crowded chain store competitors. At Mattern’s, customers know the local artist who painted the artwork they purchased. They can buy a bouquet of fresh, hand-decorated roses that sparkle with glitter. They can even help save the environment by purchasing re-purposed furniture.
Mattern attends international gift shows to find suppliers for her store, but also uses trade magazines such as Home Décor Buyer. She supports other local shops like Sugar Plum, in Forty Fort, by selling its candy and also donates money to local schools, churches, and bazaars.
Table 247, a restaurant in Kingston, also helps out the community by providing food to local art shows and art walks.
“We are supporting local people,” said Annette Kindler, a server at Table 247. “All our supplies come from other local businesses, which supports the community during this economic hardship.”
Table 247 serves a mix of cuisines, including French and Italian, all made from scratch. Christal Kaucher, a customer, compared her meal to that of a chain restaurant and said that “the food has flavor and in chains everything is all the same.”
At chain restaurants, food is pre-packaged, but at Table 247, stocks are made from fresh foods like chicken and celery, which the chef then uses to make sauces.
Diane Brody, a customer at the same table, said that “chains don’t make it personal.”
“You are getting a high-quality, home-cooked meal on a fine dining level,” Kindler said. “The restaurant is a place where a lot of local people know each other and it provides a nice environment, and a little sense of community.”
Customer service, better prices, special products, fresher food, and donations back to the community are why we should all make chain stores the “missing link” in our local economy.
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