"It's definitely got its ups and downs," says Lisa Bailey-Cedillo.
She has been running The Arrangement, a local boutique, for 14 years and says it is important for consumers to shop locally.
"You're supporting your neighbor and you're keeping your money in Abilene, which is really important to everyone," Cedillo explains.
Lynda Sharp owns Wild Ones, another local boutique and could not agree with Cedillo more.
"Shopping with a boutique or some of your other local stores, you're going to have the product and the value and the service," Sharp explains.
Which is apparently what customers are looking for.
"Sometimes you have to pay a little bit more but really it's worth it to keep our money in the local economy," says Peggy Wright, a small business shopper.
Sharp's store has been open for seven months in Abilene and she has come to an important realization in the business.
"There's really no way to compete with the chain stores," says Sharp.
Which is why smaller businesses turn to alternative methods of drawing in customers, like being personable.
"We're very friendly, we're not high pressured," says Sharp.
Cedillo explains, "They know what you like, they know who you are. You're not just a face in a crowd."
In having that relationship with their clientele, small businesses are able to provide certain things that big retail stores cannot, which is why customers like Wright frequent these shops.
"We need to be supportive of these businesses and keep them in business. We want them here, we need them here," says Wright.
It is a functional relationship; consumers want the merchants, and the merchants want the consumers.
Cedillo says, "It's just really important. It's how Abilene grows. When you take your money out of Abilene, you're not supporting your community."
She has been running The Arrangement, a local boutique, for 14 years and says it is important for consumers to shop locally.
"You're supporting your neighbor and you're keeping your money in Abilene, which is really important to everyone," Cedillo explains.
Lynda Sharp owns Wild Ones, another local boutique and could not agree with Cedillo more.
"Shopping with a boutique or some of your other local stores, you're going to have the product and the value and the service," Sharp explains.
Which is apparently what customers are looking for.
"Sometimes you have to pay a little bit more but really it's worth it to keep our money in the local economy," says Peggy Wright, a small business shopper.
Sharp's store has been open for seven months in Abilene and she has come to an important realization in the business.
"There's really no way to compete with the chain stores," says Sharp.
Which is why smaller businesses turn to alternative methods of drawing in customers, like being personable.
"We're very friendly, we're not high pressured," says Sharp.
Cedillo explains, "They know what you like, they know who you are. You're not just a face in a crowd."
In having that relationship with their clientele, small businesses are able to provide certain things that big retail stores cannot, which is why customers like Wright frequent these shops.
"We need to be supportive of these businesses and keep them in business. We want them here, we need them here," says Wright.
It is a functional relationship; consumers want the merchants, and the merchants want the consumers.
Cedillo says, "It's just really important. It's how Abilene grows. When you take your money out of Abilene, you're not supporting your community."
Comments
yes i recommend checking out the deals at MSJ inc. they are having sale on their "toys" on cyber monday.
Anonymous A.
November 27, 2011 at 5:32 pm
