Special to The Star-Herald
The Presque Isle Area Chamber of Commerce is grateful that the editor and staff of the Star-Herald are encouraging local area residents to shop locally and offering this space to the Chamber of Commerce and local businesses to inform the reading audience of services and products available locally. We all know the importance of supporting our local service providers, so when we really need them, they are there to help us. By supporting local businesses we maintain jobs and contribute to the local economy through taxes. In the coming weeks we plan to carry information provided by area businesses on what is new in their field of expertise.
One of the local initiatives that have been in operation for a while is the Web site, shoparoostookonline.com. Local businesses offer information on their products and services and discount coupons to be used at their shops. Visit the Web site, find out about some local businesses and print off coupons you can use for the month.
We all hear people say that something is less expensive in other locations, but if you add in the cost of travel, meals and your time the cost is significantly higher and if there is a problem with your purchase, you have to return to that location for exchange or return. If we do not support local businesses they will not be here to serve us when time does not allow for online shopping or a trip of several hours to a different city.
Merchants also have a role to play in maintaining customers. It is important that there is interaction between shop employees and customers. If the place of business does not provide what the customers are looking for, then the customers have no choice but to go elsewhere.
It is not easy to keep up with the ever changing demands of customers. It is important to know your customers and then you can judge what they will want. This is more than keeping track of what you have sold, it means asking what they are looking for, what is happening in their lives in the future. I once shopped at a small store whose owners went to shows knowing what their regular customers would be looking for in the year ahead, clothes for special events, trips etc. There was a certain amount of loyalty generated by knowing that they would be looking for clothes that might meet your needs.
Theresa Fowler is the executive director of the Presque Isle Area Chamber of Commerce. She can be reached at 764-6561 or via e-mail at tfowler@pichamber.com.
