Isn't it amazing? All the more amazing because it's true....based on years of research. I agree, you can blab-blab-blab about it all you want, but until you see it simply broken down like this, it's just information. This personalizes it and makes you think what you can do to help save the American Dream.
Just a short example of what's happening in our area:
Yesterday a fellow retailer and Facebook buddy of mine updated her status to say she'd just returned from a trip to Target and the nearby mall. She exclaimed "What recession? The mall was packed and I had to fight to find a space to park!" It's the big-box chain stores luring people in with their dramatic sales...meanwhile, there were less than 30 people in my store all day long. It's very, very scary and I'm not ashamed to admit that unless the mind-set changes out there, we're not going to survive.
I appreciate how easy it is to go to Webster's and get the things I need. Last month I had a plant and basket (gift to give) that needed ... something extra -- it was too blah. So at Karen's Hallmark, there's this big, long table with chairs around. I plunked down the plant basket and roamed the aisles; found ribbons & tissue, and jazzed up the gift. It was just so natural and relaxing to be there and work on the whole thing for 30 min. or so. The plant basket looked beautiful by the time I left (I spent only $6 at your store that day) but the best part of it was how much fun it was to put it together at your place. In early March I needed a gift for 11-year-old nephew. The stationery store staff counseled me and I left with just the right gift (sukoku set, book with attached pencil), and bought the perfect (preteen boy) b-day card (and matching wrappings) at Karen's. I love Webster's and hope you are always in Altadena.
Thank you and I'm so glad to hear that you were able to design such a nice gift yourself using items found at Karen's Hallmark. I'm also glad that we could give you great service at our store, Webster's Fine Stationers.
I hope you don't mind, but I note that there's still some confusion about the now separated stores and who owns what. My step-sister-in-law and her husband own Karen's Hallmark. Scott and I own Webster's Fine Stationers. We're each different stores, it's true, but even though you have to walk outside and into another store, the same family is still running things....as we've done since 1923.
I've seen this on a couple of blogs and/or websites. As a store owner in a small, rural, touristy area, I can certainly relate and agree with this! I would love to post this on my blog. Dee
I really don't like the idea of picking the three you'd want to survive at the expense of all the others. Should we shop at Webster's Fine Stationery, eat at Foxes, catch a show or two at The Coffee Gallery Backstage to the tune of $50 each per month, but then stop shopping at Webster's Pharmacy, Bulgarini Gelato, and Steve's Pets because we've fulfilled our local independent quota?
Dee, I'm sure it's fine to use this flyer. In fact, Cynda Baxter created this with all of us in mind. Read the small print at the bottom of the flyer and follow the link to the 3/50 Project's website.
That's a wonderfully informative article you linked to in the Wall Street Journal! It explains the emotional attachment many of us have to a certain store, service company or person. And I love how they explain that it's not a bad thing to lend a hand supporting them in tough times.
Now, we all know that the 3/50 Project was set up for independent retailers to use to help educate their customers about how spending locally strengthens your community. Read what the first responder said...that's the reaction we're going for. We're not suggesting that you take this literally and lend your support to only three stores. I'm sure your support of any local business in any denomination monthly will help. The "Spend $50.00, save three stores" premise is strictly an example they've used to illustrate the cause & effect of a great idea. Maybe our responder here will understand that now.
So whether you shop at the store that is the most fun and has it's own unique perspective or you shop at the store that has a positive impact in the community seems to me you end up in the same place - Websters!
10 comments:
It really brings home the point when you see it broken down like that. Wow.
Isn't it amazing? All the more amazing because it's true....based on years of research. I agree, you can blab-blab-blab about it all you want, but until you see it simply broken down like this, it's just information. This personalizes it and makes you think what you can do to help save the American Dream.
Just a short example of what's happening in our area:
Yesterday a fellow retailer and Facebook buddy of mine updated her status to say she'd just returned from a trip to Target and the nearby mall. She exclaimed "What recession? The mall was packed and I had to fight to find a space to park!" It's the big-box chain stores luring people in with their dramatic sales...meanwhile, there were less than 30 people in my store all day long. It's very, very scary and I'm not ashamed to admit that unless the mind-set changes out there, we're not going to survive.
I appreciate how easy it is to go to Webster's and get the things I need. Last month I had a plant and basket (gift to give) that needed ... something extra -- it was too blah. So at Karen's Hallmark, there's this big, long table with chairs around. I plunked down the plant basket and roamed the aisles; found ribbons & tissue, and jazzed up the gift. It was just so natural and relaxing to be there and work on the whole thing for 30 min. or so. The plant basket looked beautiful by the time I left (I spent only $6 at your store that day) but the best part of it was how much fun it was to put it together at your place. In early March I needed a gift for 11-year-old nephew. The stationery store staff counseled me and I left with just the right gift (sukoku set, book with attached pencil), and bought the perfect (preteen boy) b-day card (and matching wrappings) at Karen's. I love Webster's and hope you are always in Altadena.
Thank you and I'm so glad to hear that you were able to design such a nice gift yourself using items found at Karen's Hallmark. I'm also glad that we could give you great service at our store, Webster's Fine Stationers.
I hope you don't mind, but I note that there's still some confusion about the now separated stores and who owns what. My step-sister-in-law and her husband own Karen's Hallmark. Scott and I own Webster's Fine Stationers. We're each different stores, it's true, but even though you have to walk outside and into another store, the same family is still running things....as we've done since 1923.
I've seen this on a couple of blogs and/or websites. As a store owner in a small, rural, touristy area, I can certainly relate and agree with this! I would love to post this on my blog. Dee
I really don't like the idea of picking the three you'd want to survive at the expense of all the others. Should we shop at Webster's Fine Stationery, eat at Foxes, catch a show or two at The Coffee Gallery Backstage to the tune of $50 each per month, but then stop shopping at Webster's Pharmacy, Bulgarini Gelato, and Steve's Pets because we've fulfilled our local independent quota?
Good column on "Empathy Spending" in the Wall Street Journal: http://online.wsj.com/article/SB123742176376778763-email.html
Thank you all for your comments!
Dee, I'm sure it's fine to use this flyer. In fact, Cynda Baxter created this with all of us in mind. Read the small print at the bottom of the flyer and follow the link to the 3/50 Project's website.
That's a wonderfully informative article you linked to in the Wall Street Journal! It explains the emotional attachment many of us have to a certain store, service company or person. And I love how they explain that it's not a bad thing to lend a hand supporting them in tough times.
Now, we all know that the 3/50 Project was set up for independent retailers to use to help educate their customers about how spending locally strengthens your community. Read what the first responder said...that's the reaction we're going for. We're not suggesting that you take this literally and lend your support to only three stores. I'm sure your support of any local business in any denomination monthly will help. The "Spend $50.00, save three stores" premise is strictly an example they've used to illustrate the cause & effect of a great idea. Maybe our responder here will understand that now.
So whether you shop at the store that is the most fun and has it's own unique perspective or you shop at the store that has a positive impact in the community seems to me you end up in the same place - Websters!
What a sweet thing to say, Bonnie....thank you!
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