Comments on: Supporting Local Businesses http://www.blatzcave.com/errata/2009/07/18/supporting-local-businesses Milwaukee's Destination Liquor Store located in the Historic Blatz Brewery Building Mon, 23 Aug 2010 07:06:40 -0700 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0.1 By: Kay Collins http://www.blatzcave.com/errata/2009/07/18/supporting-local-businesses/comment-page-1#comment-190 Kay Collins Wed, 29 Jul 2009 16:00:56 +0000 http://www.blatzcave.com/?p=233#comment-190 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! 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!

]]> By: Simon McConico http://www.blatzcave.com/errata/2009/07/18/supporting-local-businesses/comment-page-1#comment-189 Simon McConico Wed, 29 Jul 2009 15:04:59 +0000 http://www.blatzcave.com/?p=233#comment-189 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. 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.

]]> By: Lisa Manna http://www.blatzcave.com/errata/2009/07/18/supporting-local-businesses/comment-page-1#comment-187 Lisa Manna Wed, 22 Jul 2009 11:38:21 +0000 http://www.blatzcave.com/?p=233#comment-187 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 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

]]> By: Bryan http://www.blatzcave.com/errata/2009/07/18/supporting-local-businesses/comment-page-1#comment-186 Bryan Tue, 21 Jul 2009 04:15:28 +0000 http://www.blatzcave.com/?p=233#comment-186 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 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

]]> By: Al Krueger http://www.blatzcave.com/errata/2009/07/18/supporting-local-businesses/comment-page-1#comment-184 Al Krueger Mon, 20 Jul 2009 01:25:23 +0000 http://www.blatzcave.com/?p=233#comment-184 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. 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.

]]> By: Tom Snyder http://www.blatzcave.com/errata/2009/07/18/supporting-local-businesses/comment-page-1#comment-183 Tom Snyder Sun, 19 Jul 2009 18:41:20 +0000 http://www.blatzcave.com/?p=233#comment-183 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! 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!

]]> By: Joe http://www.blatzcave.com/errata/2009/07/18/supporting-local-businesses/comment-page-1#comment-182 Joe Sun, 19 Jul 2009 18:25:28 +0000 http://www.blatzcave.com/?p=233#comment-182 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 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

]]> By: Phil Gerbyshak http://www.blatzcave.com/errata/2009/07/18/supporting-local-businesses/comment-page-1#comment-181 Phil Gerbyshak Sun, 19 Jul 2009 18:00:25 +0000 http://www.blatzcave.com/?p=233#comment-181 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! 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!

]]> By: Dave Reid http://www.blatzcave.com/errata/2009/07/18/supporting-local-businesses/comment-page-1#comment-180 Dave Reid Sun, 19 Jul 2009 17:31:05 +0000 http://www.blatzcave.com/?p=233#comment-180 Great post Joe. We all need to remember to do a better job of shopping at our local businesses. Great post Joe. We all need to remember to do a better job of shopping at our local businesses.

]]> By: Kim http://www.blatzcave.com/errata/2009/07/18/supporting-local-businesses/comment-page-1#comment-179 Kim Sun, 19 Jul 2009 12:50:22 +0000 http://www.blatzcave.com/?p=233#comment-179 Joe, 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 :) 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 :) Joe,
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 :) 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 :)

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