KBIA Local
(2010-07-05)
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COLUMBIA, MO
(KBIA) -
An alliance of small and independent businesses in Columbia is asking Boone County residents to go local. This year they have officially proclaimed the first week of July as the Independents Week. KBIA's Sananda Sahoo reports.
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In small towns, many people do shop locally without realizing it. The Columbia Locally Owned Retail and Services alliance or COLORS wants people to realize the importance of shopping locally. It's asking residents to consider their neighborhood shops before heading for the chain stores and they're really making the push this week. Governor Jay Nixon and Columbia Mayor Bob McDavid have proclaimed it as the Independents Week.
"The money spent at local businesses stays in our community three to four times longer than when it is spent at chains or even worse, online, where no money stays locally when if you are shopping online."
That's executive director of COLORS Johanna Cox-Littrell. She says members of the alliance include lawyers, accountants, hairdressers, massage therapists, retail stores and restaurants.
Columbia's Sustainability Manager Barbara Buffaloe says organizations like COLORS help raise the visibility of independent businesses.
"I think that Columbia is a unique environment and we do support our local businesses but it is important to raise awareness, encouraging people to keep doing that."
During the economic downturn, independent stores are struggling nationwide and chain stores have more financial power to create jobs in a small town. Cox-Littrell says the idea of Independents Week is not to deny this.
"And I am not saying that chains are bad. What we are asking is that from July 1 through 7th people start thinking about where their dollars are spent."
Cox-Littrell says one of the easiest ways to shop locally is to eat at local restaurants.
Rashid Kikhia runs a family-owned pizzeria Rush's on Locust Street.
"The advantage of small business or family business, especially restaurant business, is that we treat it as our own kitchen but share it with other people".
But he knows it's hard for both customers and owners during recessions when people lose their jobs or restaurant owners need to cut prices or give out coupons to attract customers.
"It's been down, slow, especially the summer. We are located downtown and close to campus and summer is very tough for us."
Kikhia has not heard of COLORS, which formed in 2004. But the idea intrigues him.
A one-year COLORS membership costs $15 for individuals and $125 for businesses. Among the benefits is a place in the COLORS directory of locally owned independent businesses in Boone County.
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