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Buy Local

Published Thursday, March 11, 2010 12:30 PM

Summerville Journal Scene ®

Dear Editor,

Summerville D.R.E.A.M. (Downtown Restoration, Enhancement and Management) started off 2010 with a resolution theme. When the New Year rolled around and everyone was motivated to find ways to improve themselves, Summerville D.R.E.A.M. suggested an easy and fun way to do it—RESOLVE TO BUY LOCAL! As little as a 10% change in a person’s buying habits to shopping local can have an enormous impact on a local economy through tax dollars and local jobs created. Support for our independent merchants and businesses translates to a stronger and more vital downtown Summerville.

So WE encourage you to make 2010 the year to make changes in how you shop! As we move into the second year of this economic recession things are not turning around quickly. We continue to see businesses pull back or close. Layoffs are not just a thing of the past. Retail stores that barely made it through the holidays are looking at more lean months ahead. What if some of our beloved Downtown Summerville stores disappear –a casualty of this slow economy! What if our downtown ends up looking like it did in 1992 when D.R.E.A.M. was created—40% vacancy in the downtown area! What can you and I do to help keep that from happening? The 3/50 Buy Local project offers easy and workable solutions. Started by Cinda Baxter, a retail consultant, the 3/50 project proposes small changes each of us can make that are easy to live with. Baxter suggests that you think about the three independent merchants in town that you would hate to see close their doors and decide to support them monthly with a total expenditure of $50. Not $50 for each merchant or restaurant but $50 total a month. With each of us providing small but consistent monthly support, our independents can survive the economic roller coaster. Baxter’s promotional material notes that if half the employed Americans participate by spending $50 in independent businesses, it would generate $42.6 billion in revenue…and more than a few jobs! Remember that out of every $100 spent in a locally-store, $68 stays in the community through taxes, payrolls and other expenditures. If you spend it in a national chain store, only $43 stays here and if you buy online, nothing stays in Summerville.

Buying from our local independent businesses is what sustains a downtown economy. A revitalized downtown is an important part of why people choose to visit and live in Summerville. As Ben Boozer of South Carolina Downtown Development Association told the early founders of D.R.E.A.M., “Your downtown is the center of your community. It is like the heart of the body. All parts are important but if the center/heart is not a lively, functional place/organ, then none of the other parts will work well. Your downtown is what attracts people to live, work and come to the area. Not a shopping mall or industrial park. Future residents and businesses want to see the downtown. Make sure that there is one to see!"

You can further support our Historic Downtown Summerville area by becoming an individual or family member of Summerville D.R.E.A.M. Our mission is to enhance and improve the quality of life here in Summerville by promoting the cultural, social and economic aspects of our downtown area. Our special events are designed to draw attention to our beautiful downtown and encourage residents as well as visitors to become acquainted with all we have to offer. We are always interested in volunteers to help us with our events and members to help support the programs we offer in the downtown area. For more information on volunteering or membership, please visit our website at www.summervilledream.org or contact us at (843) 821-7260.

Please support your Historic Downtown Summerville! Use it or Lose it!

Susan Morris

Executive Director, Summerville D.R.E.A.M.

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104 East Doty Avenue | Summerville, SC 29483 | 843-873-9424 office | 843-873-9432 fax