Localization "Breathing New Life Into Neighborhoods"

So says an August 31st article in the OPEN Book: Trends, by American Express OPEN. The entire quote reads, "Localization breathing new life into neighborhoods and offering a better way of life in the process. Local businesses are perfectly positioned to participate." I couldn't agree more. If you've been reading along with this blog, you know I've been advocating buying local and telling you of the benefits to your community when you do for a couple years now. I've also been espousing community involvement, hence our partnering with The Quality of Life Center, Five Acres and our current involvement with the Altadena Arts Coalition and The 3/50 Project.

More and more, people are realizing that shopping at their local, independently owned businesses helps keep their communities not only unique but economically viable, as well. Many factors are instrumental this localization movement: the spotlight on natural foods and farmers markets, the realization of our ecological impact and the drive toward sustainability all come into play. Most of all, though, is the fact that most of us consumers prefer to do business with someone we know.
Couple this with the growing evidence that buying locally supports the community. You've heard me recite the figures before, but once again couldn't hurt. A study commissioned by the Andersonville Development Corporation indicates that $100.00 spent at an independent neighborhood business creates an additional $68.00 of local economic activity, compared to a benefit of only $43.00 if the $100.00 were spent at a chain or franchise. And we all know that business success attracts further business, the process fuels itself - revitalizing local commercial operations and leading to further growth.

Future growth....that's such a nice thing to think about. I imagine the North Lake Business District as a bustling commerce and retail center - hopefully one day that will be true. But it's very much in jeopardy at the current moment. As you've probably already heard, Karen's Hallmark is going out of business. That will leave Webster's center with one less business paying rent to the Corporation. It's a sad, sad state of affairs that a once vibrant shopping complex is reduced to just the Pharmacy, Liquor and Webster's Fine Stationers. Half the customers still don't realize that WFS is a separately owned business. Whether Hallmark's closing is a result of the Corporation's lack of communication with their customers or is just a general reflection of today's lousy economy is a tough call, but it is something that I warned about in my blogpost "Can Webster's Be Saved?".

While I'm encouraged by the information cited above in the American Express OPEN article and others of the same nature, it means nothing if it's not happening here in Altadena. If residents here don't undertand or care that shopping locally can improve your community's economy, which can only result in good things for all of us, then God help us. As of December 1st, there will be no Hallmark to shop at. That's harsh, but it's reality. It's also reality that the employees there will be out of work and adding to the unemployment statistics.

I'd like to take this opportunity to assure you that Webster's Fine Stationers will be doing everything in our power to stay viable, to stay relevant and most of all, to stay open. We promise to remain in communication with you via this blog, Facebook, Twitter and our newsletters. We promise to listen to you and your suggestions. Many of our customers are already aware of our desire to form a customer advisory board and we'll be moving forward with that plan soon. In fact, anyone who's interested on sitting on the board is welcome to contact me. I have two customers willing but I do need 3 more.

Above all things, WFS wants to thank all of you who've been so supportive of us. Please know that we appreciate you so much!