(Image used with permission)
I think one of the things that I like so much about www.supportNBPT.org is the emphasis on “community.”
I was also astounded at the figures that local business “pour more than 50 percent of the revenue back into the local economy compared to 14 percent for national chains.” (Newburyport Current, December 21, 2006)
The detailed reports can be found on the www.supportNBPT.org website. These folks have done their homework.
And to quote Gene Volovich from the same Newburyport Current article, “A city like Newburyport, where most of downtown is in the hands of one owner, is particularly vulnerable to ‘manipulation’…”
Yes, that is most definitely the concern.
That locally owned businesses would have the City’s best interest at heart over “large corporations” and “national chains” and that it would be better to promote “community welfare” over “corporate welfare.” (Source www.supportNBPT.org website.)
Works for me.
And I certainly would want our local entrepreneurs to be supported and to flourish.
(Now I’m wondering out loud here, which has gotten me into trouble before, so if there’s any “Mary could be sued” stuff, please let me know, ASAP.)
This is what I wonder. Would the corporate folks at large corporations use our local banks, our local lawyers, our local insurance people?
If a very large landlord (of course I’m thinking of Mr. Karp here) has the choice between a “tried and true” establishment, that is guaranteed to pay the rent and possibly pay more, would the landlord take the “tried and true” business over a lesser-tried local entrepreneur?
If let’s say (and this is absolutely guaranteed hypothetical) a national chain store like a Barnes and Noble went in the yet to be developed Stephen Karp property, would our local (much loved, at least by me) book stores suffer? I would think the answer would be “yes,” but possibly I’ve been watching way too many movies.
Anyway, this new group, founded by Allyson Lawless and Gene Volovich, has created a decal for local business to put in their windows.
“Buy Local” decal
(Image used with permission)
And the decals are beginning to pop up all over downtown Newburyport, MA. Obviously there are local business out there in our downtown that would like to remind folks to “Buy Local.”
Mary Eaton
Newburyport