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Hochul stopping in local stores Saturday to spotlight shop local effort

By Howard B. Owens

Congresswoman Kathy Hochul will be in Genesee County on Saturday as part of "Small Business Saturday," a national effort to encourage consumers to shop locally this holiday season.

Small businesses are the backbone of any community and Hochul made supporting locally owned businesses part of her campaign platform.

On Saturday, Hochul will be at Adam Miller Toy and Bicycles on Center Street at 1:15 p.m. Hochul will also stop at Vintage and Vogue in Le Roy at 2:15 p.m.

John Woodworth JR

Yeah, the problem with supporting small businesses is that, more often their prices are higher than big business. Not to mention their customer base is extremely smaller which causes them to have higher prices. Plus, local selection may not be as good as big business.These so called "Tax Breaks" do not help either. I know my friend's business gets a $3000 tax break if, he hires more employees. The problem with that is, even one new employee's salary at minimum wage is more than $3000, plus their medical coverage. If they do not have a large customer base then how does the tax break help? Sometimes the higher price is worth paying for than paying for gas but, more often it is not.

Nov 24, 2011, 8:57pm Permalink
Lorie Longhany

John, the upshot of small locally owned businesses is the money you pay for merchandise or services is recirculated right back in our communities. Money spent at the big box stores leaves our area. Most small business owners live in the community. I also like the camaraderie when you can actually speak to the merchant while shopping. I've shopped at both Adam Miller's and Vintage and Vogue this holiday season. I always leave feeling completely satisfied with my purchases because it is a personal experience. Both shops have unique specialty items that can't be found at Wal-Mart or Target.

Nov 24, 2011, 9:58pm Permalink
Bea McManis

Does John remind you of somone else who used to grace this site?
I agree with you about prices being higher in local stores and that the selection isn't as great as one can find in the big box stores.
However, if everyone in Genesee County just purchased ONE gift item from a local business this year, we can make a difference. It may be just that ONE purchase that keeps the business afloat.
Imagine what ten or twenty purchases can do?
Chris started Cash Mob, and it was a wonderful idea. I hope he keeps it up.

Nov 24, 2011, 10:18pm Permalink
Howard B. Owens

We've been over this before -- it's a myth that local stores cost more.

The only case where it's true is when the local store carries a higher quality item than the big box. Over the long run, the cheaper item at the big box will cost you more because it will need to be replaced sooner, where as the local item often is better quality and will last longer, or because it was bought locally it is easier to get serviced.

There are all kinds of hidden costs to shopping at big box retailers, from hidden higher prices on non-end-cap items to the transfer of wealth from the local community to a corporate headquarters.

The "local is more expensive" isn't an argument that washes in any logical or empirical sense.

Nov 24, 2011, 11:18pm Permalink
Jeff Allen

Here is an opportunity to make supporting our local businesses cheaper, I posted this to my blog on Thursday:
http://thebatavian.com/dnjallen/support-local-businesses-participating-…
I would have never guessed that there were 166 locally owned small businesses in Genesee County. Many of the businesses participating in this program are advertisers right here on TheBatavian so make plans to support them Saturday.

Nov 25, 2011, 5:51am Permalink
John Woodworth JR

Hmmm Bea, who do I remind you of? BTW I hope your family and you had a great Thanksgiving.

Howard, I like to know which stores hold higher quality item then big city or major stores. Adam Millers bike shop doesn't have any different bikes that some of the stores I visit in Amherst/Buffalo/Niagara Falls. Have yet to see a local shop that has higher quality TV, electronics or appliances than major business. You may find some items but, of what significants? Show me where selection of higher quality items is more so with local business in Genesee County than business in Rochester, Buffalo area stores. As far as items lasting more from local business that's your opinion and not fact. I agree some of the items in major stores are of mid level quality but, you get what you pay for. So, if you can find the same type of item and of higher quality from a local business then buy it. Unfortunately, maybe my local business support is in the bigger cities of WNY.

I am not against local business and you are right Bea, most local businesses have better customer service, more welcoming atomsphere and get to know you. However, if I can get something cheaper from the big cities or major business, I will go there. I have a $380-$500 fuel bill monthly, food cost are up and college coming up for 3 teenage children. To avoid putting a hardship on my kids by moving them away from family and friends. I make the commute to Niagara Falls from Stafford/LeRoy everyday for work. Heck, I never bought a foreign car but, probably will when my current vehicle is paid for. Unfortunately, American auto makers can't seem to make car with better fuel mileages than some of the foreign auto makers. Chervolet makes Cruz that gets approximatle 40 miles to a gallon but, so doesn't Hyundai Sonata which also has more leg room and more space. I tried both and this my opinion.

Nov 25, 2011, 8:11am Permalink
John Woodworth JR

Oh, I forgot I did buy a high end TV from a local business in Batavia back in 2008 and by 2009 had to repair it twice. When I came back from my deployment in late 2010, it broke down again. So, Howard not necessarily true.

Nov 25, 2011, 8:15am Permalink
Lorie Longhany

I just passed through mobs of people at JC Penneys (which I do shop at) and went deep into the bowels of the Genesee Country Mall to locally, privately owned Palace of Sweets and The Hiding Place where I had a very pleasant collectible gift shopping experience, with no pushing and shoving. Mark downs on many items meant I got a good deal on a Snowbaby and Precious Moment ornament. Very pleased.

It doesn't mean you have to buy everything at local stores. Like Bea said -- ONE thing from a local store helps to keep the Mom and Pop's in business.

Nov 25, 2011, 4:09pm Permalink

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