What is Your Favorite Independently Owned Business?
This article was done in cooperation with the Price of Business show and USA Business Radio. It part of an on going series based on feedback from friends of the Price of Business show.
Recently Kevin Price, Host of the nationally syndicated Price of Business show and Editor at Large at USA Business Radio asked friends of the show on Facebook for a topic in this continuous series of articles. A topic that immediately caught his attention was why people still love independent businesses in a world dominated by major companies.
He asked listeners and friends of the show around the country which businesses they loved and why. The response was overwhelming! If you are interested in participating in a future article, make sure to “LIKE” the program on Facebook.
The idea of this topic came from Gary Reese of Newark, Delaware. He mentioned several, but when told to narrow it down to one, he wrote “The Salem Oak Vineyards – I support this woman owned business in Pedricktown, NJ (a small town of about 500 people). The lady, Mandi, runs the vineyards with her two young adult twins. They spent 10 years cultivating their vines before they could start to bottle and sell their harvest. Their wines have won awards, they serve good food and have entertainment on Friday and Saturday evenings. I will continue to support this hard working family and their wine really is good.”
Elizabeth Price (disclosure: she is the daughter of host, Kevin Price) suggested: “Little Matt’s in the West University area of Houston, TX. It’s extremely family friendly with good food and competitive prices. This is an amazing business, it is a non-profit and 100% of their profit goes to Texas Children’s Hospital (one of the owner’s kids is a cancer survivor). They have amazing customer service and they give out a free adult beverage to the adults and free ice cream for the kiddos with each entrée purchase.” She went on to say it is a great place to take Kevin’s granddaughter for a date! Grandpa said “it is a plan”. This place is the epitome of “Mom and Pop” and doesn’t have a website, but you can find more information on its Facebook page. Heather Sholl, who is a Price of Business contributor, was familiar with the place and chimed in “I love that place!”
We found it interesting how the love for these businesses can include the most common of them. They offer a unique charm that “locals” really appreciate. Gary Cummings of Waynesboro, Virginia writes “Jakes Bar and Grill in Waynesboro, VA. This is a family place, but they do have great craft beers and ales. Their steaks and wraps are delicious.” A self-described “Small Town Waterin’ Hole”, it has “visit me” written all over it, as seen by its website.
In the Metro Detroit area, Debbie Shepherd Campagna declared “Ernie’s in Oak Park! Delicious, reasonably priced, exceptionally unique and cheerful, warm ambiance- who could ask for more for a quick bite – or not so quick and when the lime is long- Anytime is good for Ernie’s!” She went on to say “check out Ernie’s when you come in again if you haven’t been back in a while, Kevin!” We asked Price about this and he said, “that place is definitely legendary, and I’m embarrassed to admit I have never been! It is on my “to do list the next time I go.” The website shows a place that is a perennial contender in the Detroit area when it comes to local contests and echos to those favorite places we enjoyed in the past.
Remember those charming hardware stores of the past? Clyde Beaver does: “Township Hardware in Redford, MI...it’s a True Value store but independently owned. Always so friendly and they have everything you need at prices you can afford. They have been there for years and less than a mile from my house so when I need something quick…boom. I don’t have to search through the big guys (Home Depot/Mendards) to find what I need. They greet you when you walk in and ask if they can help.” Although technically part of a franchise, the emphasis on these stores is independence and every one of them have a unique and distinct charm.
Paula Buonomo South stated “We have a bookstore here in Huntsville, AL, called ‘Booklegger‘ where you can trade and/or buy used books. My family visits them often. Their collection is extensive and inexpensive. There is nothing like the simple pleasure of curling up with a real book and turning paper pages. I believe they struggle these days because of cheap digital access to books. We would hate to lose them.”
We also received some great feedback on the importance of independent businesses in general and provided a great example of what is being done to cultivate them in local areas. Scott Futrell wrote “I don’t have a specific single favorite because there are many great ones however here in New Braunfels the city council does a good job in maintaining and approving primarily only independently owned businesses in the city center/proper areas and keeping the corporate chains on the perimeters. This is important because it goes a long way in maintaining the history and culture of the city and draws towards tourists interests. I think NB is one of the most unique towns in Texas because of this.”
As mentioned before, the response was overwhelming. We cannot share all the great ideas that were on the thread. The best way to see all the responses and to participate in a future article is to “LIKE” the program on Facebook.
