Supporting Local Businesses
I actually wrote this a few months ago and never published it. A conversation with @lanora of Next Chapter Book Store sparked me to put it out there…
I’m going to take a moment and deviate from my normal light-hearted quick and easy blog posts to try to bring to light the power of YOU in YOUR community. Now before I go off on a big tangent here I’m not saying you don’t support your community if you shop at Target or Wal-Mart, obviously companies like those employee several people within the community. Anyway, I’ll get on with my actual point now!
Since I have been in business for myself I have taken on a much greater appreciation for where I shop and where the money I spend is actually going. The gas station up the block from my South Milwaukee store is never the least expensive, but I have met the owner, he lives locally and works at his station trying to make a living. Same with the guy who owns the Subway just up the block. Same as me.
Sometimes I feel like I’m the only person who knows what I’m going through and as I lock up the doors and go grab a beer at a bar that one of my friends owns, he is standing behind the bar I realize I’m not alone. Also I realize without each other we wouldn’t survive. Theres no way he can compete with the corporate bar giants the likes of “Bar Louie” and “Buckheads” and I can’t compete against Metro Mart/Pick ‘n’ Save. I never opened my store at “The Blatz” thinking “I’m going to bury the Metro Mart” or any other place that carries beer, wine or liquor. All of these businesses have their place, there will always be people that just want to grab a six pack while getting some groceries and people that want to go to a bar with impersonal or downright rude bartenders and pay $9 for a drink. I don’t fault people for that, in fact I myself participate in such activities every now and then. I just want people to think twice before they spend their hard earned buck.
I know several people that will tell me about buying beer or wine or liquor some where else and I ask them why and the response is typically the same, “I was there and it was only $10″. Now I can’t fault them for the “I was there..” part of the argument. I have not forbidden my friends or customers from ever shopping anywhere else. I’m not unreasonable, I would like to get as much business that I can from everyone, but I also know there are times I need gas and am nowhere near my typical gas station. Its the “it was only $10″ part of the argument that makes me want to jump up and scream! I feel like people don’t understand the impact and power of EVERY dollar they spend. Between Facebook, Twitter and my blog there is close to 1000 people that here me plug my store daily. If Half of those people came in once a week and spent their $10 at my store it would pay my rent. Those “only $10″ add up and mean a great deal to us little guys.
I don’t expect everyone to now only spend their money at locally owned stores. I just urge you to take a moment, get to know some of the local small business owners, if you have the 2 extra minutes it takes to go to their place do it. After you have made your purchase you can feel good about that dollar staying local and going on to be spent again locally.
Joe
Joe,
My downfall is it is not always convenient in a busy world to make seperate trips for everything I need to buy. I am going to make a real effort to stop in to Blatz Liquor at least once this month though. Maybe if I stop thinking things are too inconvenient I will see that they really are easy and I will get more warm fuzzy feelings. That can’t be a bad thing 
Thanks for the reminder. Buying local is one of those things that I know in my heart is the right thing to do and when I do it I do get that warm fuzzy feeling
Great post Joe. We all need to remember to do a better job of shopping at our local businesses.
I completely agree with you on this Joe. $10 is $10, and it adds up quickly. I love to buy local, I love to live local, and I avoid chains whenever I can. It’s why when I get beer I go to Blatz Liquor, and why I tell all my friends about Blatz Liquor.
Another great place to go local is with restaurants. Sure, IHOP is fast (last time I went there, I was in and out in under 37 minutes). But for flavor, and for sustainability, I go to Hotch-A-Do and Beans & Barley ALL DAY!
Rock on Blatz Liquor!
Joe, well written post. One of the best aspects of doing business in Milwaukee is the tendency that midwesterners have to favor local privately owned businesses over corporately owned businesses. I share many of your thoughts and certainly appreciate your support of our businesses throughout the years as well.
We need to do more together!
Joe
@ajbombers
Cheering for you, Joe…and all the other local small business owners who put their own personal fortune on the line every day when they open up their own businesses. We’ve made the personal decision to frequent only the restaurants where we can develop a relationship with the owner. Chili’s and Applebee’s won’t miss us. If it’s been a couple weeks since we’ve been to Amici’s, or Jailhouse, or Sloppy Joes, or Riverside Brewery, the owners notice it…mostly because they truly like to see us, and often even pull up a seat and chat…but also because they count on our business.
Being 35 miles away makes it hard for us to do business with you as often as we’d like, but whenever we’re in your neck of the woods we buy a couple bottles of wine, cuz we want you to succeed… it’s not just just a purchase it’s support. And with the occasion exception of a buy we can’t pass up at Sam’s, we get our liquor from a local place up here in the northern outpost where we know each other’s names.
The big guys adjust their staff to compensate for ups and downs in sales without blinking. Small Businesses run lean, many of them living constantly on the brink. A bunch of casual decisions by their regulars to do business with a larger competitor without thinking can have a huge impact on their very survival. We’ve been saddened to see some of our favorite small businesses close up shop. Yeah it’s survival of the fittest, but many who offer spectacular service and customer care fall victim to customers who fail to hold up their end of the deal.
Thank God for local owners like Joe!
Great post Joe. Buying local keeps money local and it makes a difference. Whether it’s beer (brewed here and sold here) or other stuff. It’s a great message. Stand up a be proud.
I agree to an extent but there are too many problems that come by generalizing that “shop local”
This may be abit controversial but just as some big business doesent “get” customer service and deserve my business so do some local businesses.
Its probably true that a local entrepreneur is more Likely to be an engaged member of his community, and more likely to be innovative and deeply committed to his business with a passion. But sadly there are too many times when an old school local business defies evolution to keep pace with their customers, almost resents their customers changing needs and demands and subsequently that business stuck in its past, dies away like a mastodon stuck in a tar pit.
Like here in madison, after the city enacted the smoking ban in taverns, my preganat wife and I were pleased to finally be able to head out for a fish fry friday.
The bartenders and bar owners didnt greet their new demographic but almost seemed to resent us for liking it smoke free. Though we tolerated the smoke as customers before, now they were almost bitter and hostile in hearing our praise and appreciation of the new healthier environment.
they went under.
While (most of) the rest of Madison grew and sold more liquor and approved more liquor licenses in the coming years.
Local is most often and most likely money better spent, but a business with a passion for great customer experience should win every time regardless of origin.
Thanks and take care
Bry
Great blog Joe! My parents owned small businesses when I was growing up (I guess that’s why I started working at 11!) and I really relate to your article. While I do shop at Target and the mall, my husband and I make a concerted effort to go to local restaurants and local stores, even if it is more expensive. He always says, “I like to support the little guy.” That makes me smile. Anyway, wish your stores were closer! You’d be our local guy for adult beverage supplies! (we do support another “local” guy though so it’s not all bad
.
Keep writing!
Lisa
Love the post Joe. As a business person myself I agree that every $10 counts. It is awesome when you can connect with a person running a business and support what they do.
Amen Joe! We have a lot of great independent business owners in Milwaukee and I am proud to talk about the entrepreneurial spirit here. It adds to the flavor of Milwaukee and not only great experiences for locals but visitors alike. Many visitors comment about how helpful and friendly people are here and it usually is because the owner of the establishment/business is the one they are dealing with. Cheers!