EDITORIAL: Shopping small can make a big difference in Powell community

Posted 11/25/16

But as with any true Hollywood classic, there are some obstacles this small town must overcome.

Sadly, an increasing number of local businesses have closed their doors.

One of the largest storefronts on Bent Street has remained vacant since …

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EDITORIAL: Shopping small can make a big difference in Powell community

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During Sample the Season last week, scores of residents went from store to store, enjoying free food and drinks from local businesses. With Christmas lights aglow, festive music in the air and shoppers crowding the sidewalks, the bustling downtown scene was reminiscent of a holiday film.

But as with any true Hollywood classic, there are some obstacles this small town must overcome.

Sadly, an increasing number of local businesses have closed their doors.

One of the largest storefronts on Bent Street has remained vacant since The Merc, a community-owned clothing store, closed in May.

Just next door, Powell Office Supply shut down last week; the store was a staple in downtown Powell for decades. Right next to that, True Colors closed its doors earlier this month, bringing an end to the unique shop. Across the street, the downtown toy store Buffalo Billies is in the process of closing.

Another longtime business, Dan’s Boot & Saddle, is ending its retail store, but will still do repairs and custom work. “We have made many friends over the years, but all good things must end,” owner Dan Hadden wrote in a Facebook post.

The wave of closures is a sobering reminder of how important it is to support local businesses, especially during the holidays.

We encourage residents to shop locally first, before heading out of town or online. Of course, there are some items you can’t buy in our rural area — but it’s worth checking out what’s available here before going elsewhere.

Just consider all of the ways local businesses support and enrich our community. Their generosity isn’t only at Christmastime — it’s all through the year.

One of the best examples is the Junior Livestock Sale at the Park County Fair. Every July, businesses and other organizations reward the hard work of 4-H and FFA youth by purchasing their animals. This year’s Junior Livestock Sale generated $354,186 for local youth.

Whenever there’s a fundraiser — whether for a family struggling with medical bills or a baseball team raising money for a tournament  — many Powell stores and restaurants donate toward the cause.

In many ways, the success of our small town depends on the success of small businesses.

Saturday is a great day to show your support for local businesses. Sandwiched between Black Friday and Cyber Monday — two of the biggest shopping days of the year — is Small Business Saturday. Since it started in 2010, Americans have embraced the nationwide event by “shopping small” at their neighborhood shops.

We don’t want to see empty storefronts in Powell. Small businesses need the community’s support to survive; they depend on us, just like we depend on them.

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