Time to Step Up, Support Local Businesses

My wife and I moved our young family to Oswego about 15 months ago.

A wide-open housing market meant we could pick from dozens of homes that would all land us in one of the best school districts around—our biggest reason for moving here. We looked at more than a few houses around town and finally settled on an older home just blocks from downtown.

We knew we would be saddled with thousands of dollars in renovations to the home, but it was the fact that we could walk to so many local businesses and activities that made all that seem worth it.

In that time the downtown hasn't really seen much change in terms of businesses.  A couple of new shops have opened and a few have closed. That's to be expected in uncertain economic times like these.

However, you should know that several are on the verge of giving up on Oswego. I've talked to a few shop owners from all parts of town in the past few weeks who say that if business doesn't pick up soon, they'll either have to move to a cheaper location or close altogether.

If that's true, that will certainly be a shame. Nothing hurts the potential for new businesses in any part of town like empty shops.

This is not to say that you should spend every consumer dollar you have in a locally owned business. That's just not feasible. But if you've got a gift to buy, you need a new outfit or tool, or you just need a cup of coffee, try to think twice before you head out to a big box store.

Many will say,"Well, all those things are cheaper at the big stores." In some cases that is true, but don't forget a few of those big retailers were given incentives to move to town, and we are all still holding the bag for that.

Spending money at locally owned businesses puts money into the hands of owners who are more likely to reinvest it right here in town.

Community pride is alive and well in Oswego. Even people who shout the loudest about what they see as over-taxation never seem to announce their plans to leave.

The April 5 election will tell us a lot about what residents really want. Battle lines have been drawn between "pro-business" factions and a "no taxpayer-supported development" crowd.

Which side wins the day won't make one bit of difference if residents don't make the effort to spend more money with locally owned businesses.