Shop Lakewood This Christmas

[Jim O'Bryan]

Going to try this one more time...

This week I got calls from 3 new businesses that should be opening in the next couple weeks. Like all new businesses they were filled with hopes, dreams, and ideas. It was refreshing at it always is to hear why people has chosen Lakewood as the place to launch their dream.

But this was offset with the news as reported in the Lakewood Observer that the Collector's Warehouse was closing after a good long run. I have heard from another handful of small businesses that they are really counting on a good Christmas season to keep them going. This is never a good sign.

If you get a chance, stop in a Lakewood store you have always wanted to stop in. Go back to the little gift shop you haven't been in for a while. Shop Lakewood when you can. It is these small businesses, that keep Lakewood's business districts looking alive. Most are owned by neighbors, or residents.

Let's pull together to make this a good Christmas for everyone.

peace.



.

[Gary Rice]

Thanks, and a deep tip of the hat, to Jim O'Bryan- for a poignant reminder of the struggles facing quality inner ring retailers as they strive to compete for our discretionary dollars against the shopping malls and big box stores.

Lakewood, like any other cooperative effort, takes cooperation in order to survive and prosper. With the price of gas lately, shopping close to home makes sense.

We have a unique community spirit here in our town, and a cornucopia of outstanding retailers to select from.

Let's go shopping!

[Jennifer hooper]

There should be an article in this week's LO regarding "America Unchained". This is a national program of the American Independent Business Alliance and is basically a campaign to encourage and promote shopping at locally owned businesses this Saturday, November 18th.

Julie Hutchison, owner of the Lakewood Phoenix Coffee shop and I have been working together to bring this campaign to Lakewood. One of the goals of Main Street Lakewood is to promote Lakewood’s unique business mix. On Saturday only, the Phoenix is offering its regular customers a free bag of coffee when they bring in a friend who would have otherwise shopped at a national chain. For trying a Phoenix beverage the friend gets a free bag of coffee as well. Other Lakewood independent businesses offering specials for America Unchained Day are Local Girl Gallery, Lion & Blue and Bela Dubby.

Numerous nationwide studies have shown that supporting locally owned businesses can have a significant impact on the local economy. Here are a few compelling reasons why YOU should shop local:
• It keeps your money local. For every $100 spent at a locally owned business, $45 goes back into the community, strengthening the tax base. For every $100 spent at a chain store, only $14 comes back.
• Better service. Local businesses often hire people who have a better understanding of the products and services they’re selling and who take more time to get to know customers.
• Support community investment. Local businesses are owned by people who live here, work here and care about Lakewood’s future.
• Support community groups. Neighborhood businesses generously support local nonprofits – an average of 350% more than non-locally owned businesses.
• It’s unique. Independent retailers select products based on their own customers, not that of a national corporate sales headquarters. Locally owned stores can quickly respond to the needs of their customers.
• The personal touch. In an increasingly homogenized national culture, chain stores are the same no matter where you go. Local retailers add personal service and familiarity.

As the holiday season approaches, the hope is that America Unchained will encourage Lakewood residents to do more of their holiday shopping at locally owned businesses. This could result in a big impact on our local economy this holiday season. To that end, America Unchained will be followed by Light Up Lakewood from November 30- December 3. Light Up Lakewood is a series of holiday community events and a promotion of unique Lakewood retail and eateries.

America Unchained! and Light Up Lakewood promote what makes Lakewood unique. Competition from well-funded national chains can be very aggressive and our local merchants can’t survive without our support. If you wanted to live in Anytown, USA full of chain stores and restaurants, you wouldn’t have chosen to live in Lakewood. So on Saturday, November 18th and throughout the holiday season (and everyday for that matter!); support Lakewood’s independent, locally owned businesses!

For more information on America Unchained Day in Lakewood contact Jennifer Hooper at 521-0655 or Julie Hutchison at 226-4401. For more information on the national America Unchained Day, see the website of the American Independent Business Alliance: AMIBA.net

[Shawn Juris]

Great post. Can I get some suggestions for locally owned businesses to shop at during the holiday season. Just want to be sure that I'm going to the right shops and not the corporate owned ones that are posing as local.

[David Anderson]

Regarding the concept behind "America Unchained" -

We had some family from Canada spend a couple of nights at our house early last summer. There were four in all, two married couples in their upper 20's and all younger than my wife and I.

We warn folks before they come to stay at our house that we don't have coffee. Most bring their own and that's okay. I'm a coffee smeller, not drinker.

I'm out in the yard doing chores when the four of them stumbled their way out of our house to the car half awake to embark on a search for Starbucks. I tried to impart the virtues of local coffee houses and suggested the Phoenix.

Well, they looked at me as if I was insane and insisted that only their double something something with frothy something something would do the trick.

There seems to be an image issue that the small, non chain shops don't have what people want and that folks aren't willing to step out of their pattern to try something new.

How can (or has) our local Chamber dealt with this?

I like this thread.

[Shawn Juris]

David,
I think that your suggestion was the best that can be hoped for in most cases. Some are just comfortable with what's familiar and happy to stick to it. Not everyone is going to be an adventurous consumer.

To spin off of your last question, it's interesting at times to see how Chamber gets used in the same way that government does at times. At the local level whether it's the chamber or city hall, really we're expecting our neighbors to do something for us. While I'm still relatively new to this stage in life, I'm getting a clear picture that there is no "man behind the curtain". Sure we should expect employed individuals to perform their duties. The job description often gets muddy for these entities though, doesn't it? The Chamber for instance is a membership based organization and I've found it to be very supportive and open to suggestions. I think it gets unclear when we begin to ask questions that go beyond their objectives like; what they are doing to bolster the economy on a whole or attract new jobs. Sure it would be nice, but is it reasonable? They are supported by their members and don't have unlimited resources. Should there be a shift, maybe but are our neighbors thinking that much differently than the majority of us are? Or is it more likely that we have the luxury of not being bound in the same ways that their decisionmakers are. Again, some interesting parallels between the Chamber and City Hall. Neither can fix everything and as this is a forum which often aims to increase understanding or at least offer different perspectives, I think it's fair to discuss what we expect from our entities "behind the curtain".

At any rate you did your part to help local business by advertising for those that may not have the big budget. Word of mouth is still the most cost effective form of advertising. The law of numbers still applies whether it's commercials or suggestions from friends. It's rare that a consumer will respond after just one exposure. Hopefully, when your friends come back they'll consider a local coffee shop.

[Laurie Rhodes]

Here is a link to the list of local retailers and restaurants that was put together by Lakewood Alive:

http://www.lakewoodalive.com/pdffiles/r ... ne2006.pdf

I hope this helps someone find new places to shop and dine in Lakewood!

[Jim O'Bryan]

I would like to remind everyone that the Lakewood Observer has a full directory available to ALL Lakewood businesses, FREE off the front page.

The Lakewood Shopping Experience at:
http://lakewoodexperience.com/home.php

These FREE listings are completely editable by ANY Lakewood business.

It works as a directory and listing by what they do, food, etc.

If the business is not listed tell them to sign up it is FREE!

Businesses can also distribute the Lakewood Observer and be listed for FREE in the Newstand, off Lakewood Observer's front page, where you can also purchase subscriptions, which make great gifts!




.

[David Anderson]

Shawn and everyone -

I'm not exactly sure what the Lakewood Chamber can do other than provide services to its dues paying members companies. It's likely safe to assume that some if these members are Detroit and Madison retailers.

What's the best way to get Lakewood residents to understand what Lakewood shops have to offer?

Here I am suggesting an idea but have little time, talent and ability to help make it happen - a Lakewood Detroit/Madison Christmas Shopping Guide. Perhaps a special LO edition or insert co-sponsored by the Chamber and City.

Other ideas?

[David Anderson]

Jim -

How can word about the LO directory effectively reach Lakewood businesses?

I just navigated towards these categories and found ZERO Lakewood stores listed:

Candy
Party Supplies
Record Stores
Computer Games
Sports

[Jim O'Bryan]

Jim -

How can word about the LO directory effectively reach Lakewood businesses?

I just navigated towards these categories and found ZERO Lakewood stores listed:

David

Tell them. We are doing a couple stories in an upcoming issue about how the city can take full advatnage of the many programs we have brought online. To be honest many things have been going through serious beta testing, as we prepare to kick the Observer up another knotch.

We have had one story sitting in the well for a couple issues. As the paper gets laid out, my stuff is always the first cut.

If you know a business, and it is not listed, tell them. LISTINGS ARE FREE and will always be FREE. The business must register themselves, you cannot do it for them for legal reasons.

It is staggering the power that has been designed into it.

It is the portal, to a whole new era in Lakewood.

Bought to you by our advertisers and members.

.

[David Anderson]

Jim -

I will tell all local merchants I frequent about the registry. Perhaps all of the OD's 556 registered observers can as well.

I'm sure you realize, though, that the effort of individual Observers is hardly a comprehensive strategy to educate Lakewood's 50,000 residents about Lakewood retail shops.

Is there a marketing/communication strategy offered by the retailers/Chamber/City?

[Jim O'Bryan]

Jim -

I will tell all local merchants I frequent about the registry. Perhaps all of the OD's 556 registered observers can as well.

I'm sure you realize, though, that the effort of individual Observers is hardly a comprehensive strategy to educate Lakewood's 50,000 residents about Lakewood retail shops.

Is there a marketing/communication strategy offered by the retailers/Chamber/City?

David

Does the term brick wall mean anything?

We have started a policy going store to store ourselves. It is hard to describe online, but I think we have put together a package, that blows away what any other city group can offer. It has been done with minimal support from the Chamber and now others are seeing the light.

Not to sound foolish but the depth of the programs are one of the problems. How to describe so much of what is available, most of it FREE or even putting money back in their pockets! Using a store like Lion-n-Blue, the LO Project can provide enough incentives to pay their rent. Think about it. Yet, the owners are busy because money is tight!!!

The next roll out of our updates, will be really something. Not little tweaks but some cutting edge stuff and thought processes. While other cities, hustle to cover their asses, Lakewood will take a big step forward. While the city looks for a store to anchor mainstreet, we have found many to anchor our digital mainstreet.

For almost four years now a small handful of Lakewoodites have worked almost around the clock building this tool. While many think it is a discussion board, and others a paper, as I have mentioned before those outside the city look at it as an ultimate ecnomic development tool. So while we build, and pump money back into the ever growing project all I can say is I can lead a horse to water, but to make them drink! That is a whole different matter.

2007 will be the year to cut the wheat from the chaff.

.

[David Anderson]

Brick wall, eh. Funny.

Jim, keep up the good work. I, and I assume hundreds of other Lakewoodians, would love a real directory to help us buy in Lakewood.

Thanks for the exchange.

[Jim O'Bryan]

Brick wall, eh. Funny.

Jim, keep up the good work. I, and I assume hundreds of other Lakewoodians, would love a real directory to help us buy in Lakewood.

Thanks for the exchange.

David

We will also be printing a hard copy of the directory once a year and will be inserted into the paper.

Jim