‘Shop Local’ campaign re-energized

By Elna Seabrooks
Staff Writer
    HOULTON — The idea of shopping locally with area merchants is not a new idea, according to Lori Weston, executive director of the Greater Houlton Chamber of Commerce (GHCC), who says the town’s  campaign is resurfacing to address the times in which we live.
Pioneer Times photo/Elna Seabrooks
CHECKING INVENTORY — Walter Goodrich, proprietor of Goodrich’s on the North Road, and Denice Tidd, sales clerk, examine inventory at his store that sells fine jewelry and upscale gifts. Goodrich says Houlton “caters to a large radius and brings consumers from both sides of the border to the area.”
    During the past year, with the economy in a downturn and knowing what local business owners would be facing, Weston says it was the perfect time to regenerate the theme of shopping at home.
    Jeweler Walter Goodrich, a member of the town council and owner of Goodrich’s on the North Road, said businesses need all the support they can get because a vibrant business community is critical to the health of the town.
    Paul Cleary, chairman of the town council and president of the 2009 Houlton Fair Association board, says by shopping locally, money stays in the town and keeps people employed enabling them to pay taxes, buy food, clothing, vehicles and other necessities. If you lose that income, Cleary says the town government has to make the hard choice of raising taxes or cutting services. He said the popular Houlton fair scheduled for July 2-5 brings people to the town from outside the immediate area who will shop and spend with local merchants.
    Weston praised local business owners, the vast majority of whom belong to the GHCC. “I know you will find local merchants are able to find the things that folks are looking for and if they don’t have it or carry it, they will [get it]. It’s a cooperative effort between the merchants and consumers. A commitment to shop locally has a trickle down effect for the entire community.”  
    “What we’re hoping to do is invite people to think about shopping locally, first. If there’s a business or a store that they haven’t visited in a long time, think twice and make a conscientious effort to stop in to visit local folks.”
    Linda Weston, owner of Weston’s Mobile, a repair, gasoline and convenience station on Military Street, says of the campaign her sister-in-law manages: “It’s self-explanatory — keep our money in Houlton.” She added that she prefers to support local shop owners like Dow’s Market and the Shamrock Café when she goes out.”
    Gerry Berthelette, proprietor of Volumes, says as the largest seller of used books in northern Maine, his unique business on Bangor Street specializes in out-of-print books drawing a clientele from as far as 100 miles away. Although his competitors are, for the most part, online businesses, local customers save the shipping and handling charges when they shop with him.
    Lori Weston adds that “it just makes good sense” to support area merchants. “If you have a vital and thriving downtown area where folks are always strolling along and purchasing things, it just gives you a better sense that this is a community that’s active and has committed residents there.”
    She also said the campaign will be more visible through ads in the Pioneer Times and spot announcements on radio and television.