Suggestion Box; Supporting Small Shopping

Small Business Saturday right?

That is the crux of what one needs to know about doings this weekend.

After all if you decided to venture out on Black Friday (or even ‘Greyish Thursday’ once known as Thanksgiving) toward Alpine or to the malls or  the Big box stores in search of those gotta-have-it gifts or scoring some new devices from TVs to tablets there could just be a little bit of exhaustion setting in. First there’s the crush of humanity involved. People, lots and lots of people, picking their way through the traffic, the parking lot and finally the store . Then there are the varied personalities one encounters during such shopping sieges. The masses  seem akin to a post-disaster, looting kind of crowd where rules are changed and manners take a serious sabbatical..

Now for the rest of the weekend it's time to slow things down. Get past the hurried frenzy rife in such settings and taken advantage of Small Business Saturday a day to celebrate the unique, eclectic and altogether fun and functional local establishments that can only flourish with the help of the citizenry.

Any shops you recall that once dotted the landscape of the Near North that you miss having around? Maybe a store that stocked an item or two you loved picking up on occasion? A place that knew you and know what you were looking for and actually cared about making you happy with your purchase?

Wonder why they’re gone?
Simple. Lack of traffic meaing lack of sales., meaning lack of resources meaning closed doors.
Now look at what we have around us.

Just consider Newaygo
How would we look without Sui Generis the store that put the fun back into furnishings? The gem known a Gala Gourmet would be sorely missed by foodies, oenophiles and people who like really good coffee and baked goods, The intriguing meat items at the Jerky store,the browsing opportunities at the bookstore, the General Store filled with surprises, the needlework nook known as the New Ewe and the hop heaven known simply as ‘The Brewery’ each add to what has become a thriving downtown district.
What is desired is to not only keep these and the other local treasures thriving but to create an atmosphere that draws even more shops of uniquity and purpose to each of our towns.

So whether you find yourself frolicking  in Fremont, winding up in White Cloud, going through, Grant, cruising around Croton, hunkering over to Howard City or nestling into Newaygo this weekend spend a little cash at one of the shops we are so fortunate to have filling our storefronts.

In this spirit we will be resurrecting the Shopping With Ken series that drew literally dozens of readers to its pages in past years to learn about the gifting opportunities that abound in these parts Yes, beginning Monday (or Tuesday if the protagonist finds himself wrapped up in a hot news story or a compelling Netflix show requiring a bit of binge watching) we will showcase an array of  options as we pursue potential presenting propositions.

As always we invite your suggestions and will strive to follow up on any tips. Just contact i[email protected]

And remember….
Buy Local
Be Local
Embrace The Mitten

Suggestion Box is sponsored by our festive friends at Newaygo Brewing Co.