Today is Small Business Saturday and Seehafer News talked with two local business owners about its importance.
We spoke with Rick Couron of the Hearty Olive in downtown Manitowoc and Pam Duveneck from The Read Apple Toy Shoppe in downtown Two Rivers. Duveneck feels one of the advantages of small business is “how they can work with their customers.” Saying, “We do a lot of what we’re doing right now, talking . What are you looking for, what age group are you looking for and helping you find the gift that’s just right. Our companies that we order from will often give us a lot of demos, so we can pull it out on the table in front of us so you can see what you’re getting before you purchase that item”.
Duveneck mentioned another of the advantages for shopping in locally owned stores: many of the companies she deals with will stand behind their product.
“If there are any issues and once in awhile there’s going to be, they will help fix it and make it right. So you’re getting a good quality product.”
Rick Couron of the Hearty Olive talked about the national recognition of small business. “That’s the time people are starting to do their Christmas shopping. So, we get a lot more people coming in looking for local products. So, they browse and see what we have here, the olive oils, and the balsamic vinegars and then of course Wisconsin products. So, we get a lot of foot traffic, we are busy all day long.”
Couron said “they take time with their customers.” Adding, “If there are new people coming in, I do a thing called my 25 cent tour at my expense. So, I take a couple minutes to explain the differences between the olive oils and the balsamics. But, then people come in and say hey, we’re cooking brussel sprouts, any ideas? Sure, we’ll come up with something they could cook with or try something new. So, we’re always adding that little personal touch”.
Also, when you shop at small businesses, each dollar spent returns 3 times more money to your local economy than one spent at a chain store.
