Spending holiday dollars at local stores means vote for Washtenaw County's retailers
Holiday shopping and all of the hype, sales and attempts to induce spending frenzies among shoppers seems to emanate from online retailers and shopping centers filled with national stores.
But the hopes pinned on fourth quarter sales — driving by holiday gifting in December — also exist among our region’s downtowns and independent retailers.
Without fail, as I talk to these store owners and hear the conversations other writers for AnnArbor.com are having, two themes emerge.
The first is their optimism. They’re proud of their inventory and feel a rise in confidence among the general population. The nation and Washtenaw County appears to be recovering from the recession, and while it’s a slow process, the black cloud over spending seems to have lifted.
The second theme is their perilous position in this economy. None feels confident enough of sales trends to say with certainty that they’re going to see sustained sales, much less growth, over the coming year.
These are generalizations for a reason. They also don’t want to admit publicly that some stores are struggling in ways that we don’t yet see.
But, amid the heavy foot traffic in Ann Arbor and the vibrant nightlife, they also want the public to know: Ann Arbor hasn’t yet saved its retail sector.
Many have talked over the past decade about how fragile downtown retail can be.
That’s still true, despite signs of vitality coming from various places — like South State Street, which is garnering a heightened wave of attention and lease rates as more students are concentrated near that shopping district.
It’s also true for many stores outside of downtown, many of whom are fighting against chain and online bombardment of the holiday shopper with special deals and extreme marketing.
In the month before Christmas, you’ll find me in many chain stores. I also make a point of shopping downtown, in Kerrytown, in Westgate and in stores that I know have a commitment to Ann Arbor.
All of these stores don’t fit my taste or budget. But when they do carry what I want to buy, I think it’s important to invest in their success.
I also won’t mourn some attrition among local retailers, since that’s a part of a healthy, evolving retail community, too. But knowing that the types of stores that I value here could be in a perilous position makes me nervous.
The words of Vicki Honeyman stayed with me after I talked to her for a story last year.
“What makes the city cool is its small, independently owned businesses,” Honeyman said. “That’s not chain stores. They don’t make a city cool. What people would lose is what people love about Ann Arbor. The cool businesses, the unique businesses that you can’t find anywhere else.”
And she made this point about how the holidays affect her store, Heavenly Metal on East Ann Street, and many other businesses: “The last five weeks of the year, it’s do or die for all of us.”
For the rest of us, we know that forecasts expect us to generate at least hundreds more in per person spending that during the rest of the year.
So, in honor of our local retailers who work so hard and take so many risks, I’d like to urge this of our community: While we’re looking for the perfect gift and the best values, let’s also consider that how we spend that money over the next month also is a vote for the future of our retail landscape.
Paula Gardner is Business News Director of AnnArbor.com. Contact her at 734-623-2586 or paulagardner@annarbor.com.
Comments
russellr
Thu, Dec 2, 2010 : 1:43 p.m.
Thank you to all the people that commited on buying American made cars, the profits stay here in America. I'm sorry to say but alot of owners in downtown A2 are driving around in there foreign made car with the profits going back to China and Japan. Don't you remember Pearl Harbour??? Please keep buying American (Ford, GM, Crysler)and please keep in mind GM is paying back there loan. Thank you
Dog Guy
Mon, Nov 29, 2010 : 10:53 a.m.
So where do I buy Christmas decorations locally? Bronners is probably the closest--but not close enough. Disney and dancing deer do not get me in the Christmas spirit: to hell with presents and shopping! Local (as well as national) retailers have killed the goose which laid the golden eggs.
Cash
Mon, Nov 29, 2010 : 5:54 a.m.
I spent some time and bucks at The Rocket on Saturday....what fun!! Not only do they have items you can't find anywhere else but the laughing in that store is contagious. I found myself smiling the entire time I was in there....fun, fun. fun! And great gift giving ideas as well. If anyone wonders The Rocket is in Downtown Ypsi on Michigan Avenue between Washington and Huron.
Monica
Sun, Nov 28, 2010 : 8:49 p.m.
We need to support local business all over Washtenaw County, especially in Downtown Ypsilanti/Ann Arbor AND within our communities. Many business owners are doing all that is possible to stay afloat during these difficult economic times. In addition, it is very helpful to these owners and employers to keep your dollars local. It would be a nice feature for A2News.com to do a weekly feature of local businesses, artists, musicians, writers, etc...so, our residents could learn about entrepreneurs of this nature and support their ventures.
Bridget Bly
Sun, Nov 28, 2010 : 4:09 p.m.
I'd like to know how to tell if a service person (a landscaper, say, or a plumber) pays local taxes (because I'd like to hire only local labor). Do all businesses with a local address pay local taxes? I've noticed that a lot of doctors' offices are located just outside AA city limits. I'm assuming they don't pay local taxes, but where are the tax boundaries drawn?
David Briegel
Sun, Nov 28, 2010 : 3:24 p.m.
The price of buying local will always be higher. The price of buying "cheap imports" means supporting child labor, slave labor, prison labor, plundering the natural resources and polluting the environment. You know, American Corporate "Values"!
Josh T
Sun, Nov 28, 2010 : 11:59 a.m.
Dec 3rd is MIDNIGHT MADNESS in the S. State St. area!!! Great sales and shopping. Everyone from Bivouac to Orbit Hair Design is participating. Its a great time to support downtown business!
stunhsif
Sun, Nov 28, 2010 : 11 a.m.
@Rita, Well said, I agree completely. Buying local is in, unless of course you are talking about auto purchases. GM,Ford and Chrysler are all HQ'd in Michigan and the profits come back to Michigan. Just looking at Milan Michigan and one can see how this town has been decimated over the past 20 years by the closure of Federal Mogul on Redman Road and other smaller suppliers like Milan Screw Products. Next to close will be the ACH Milan plant which got sold recently. That will be another 300 jobs lost. I know a lady who owned a retail establishhment in Milan that went belly up after a fairly long run. She drove a KIA which came from Korea, wonder if she gets it? I buy local whenever possible as long as the price is competitive with buying non local.
Snaarf
Sun, Nov 28, 2010 : 10:09 a.m.
Too much redundancy and over priced. Go to google maps and search for art along main street between Williams and Huron. These shops are overpriced and there are too many for a town this size. I go by these shops often, and I rarely see anyone in them. I have no clue how they stay in business unless a hobby for someone with ample cash. The rent along main st is so out of whack the Subway went out of business, and they had plenty of foot traffic. I see no reason to go to a local shop and overpay for what I can get online where they do ot have to pay for the unrealistic rent. Most of my spending goes to Pittsfield Township businesses where the local government isn't working against efficient businesses to keep afloat the unneeded local shops. I can't wait for Costco.
kay
Sun, Nov 28, 2010 : 9:39 a.m.
I want to support local businesses. Where can I get a list so i know which ones are really locally owned?
SonnyDog09
Sun, Nov 28, 2010 : 9:33 a.m.
I support local businesses that actually act like they want my business. I stopped Christmas shopping downtown after I arrived at a local shop only to discover that they closed at 5:30 pm. Not all of us can walk to your shop between lectures.
Rita
Sun, Nov 28, 2010 : 9 a.m.
The people of Ann Arbor who ask that residents to support local businesses need to look at their automotive purchases. A purchase of a GM, Ford or Chrysler brings jobs to Michigan, adding to an increased tax base to improve the crumbling infrastructure in this state. "Buy local" also means supporting your state's automotive industry.