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Health & Fitness

Downtown Merchant: The Sun Is Out, So There's No Better Time to Shop Local

Feel the difference shopping local makes.

As Spring finally shows it face around Geneva (better late than never), local merchants get excited like it's Christmas morning in hopes that shoppers will appear at their doors.

Our town is unlike any other I have seen: We have superior schools, top notch parks, beautiful homes, friendly people and the best local shops and restaurants around, and that's an asset.  I know from my own experience that nice weather is essential to how busy stores will be on any given day.  I would think most merchants feel the same way.  I get it. Who wants to go out when it's rainy and cold? Staying inside sounds like a better idea.

As the summer edges closer, things will start to get really busy downtown. Astroll down the different streets checking out stores and sitting outside for lunch is as much a part of  American culture as apple pie and baseball.

Find out what's happening in Genevawith free, real-time updates from Patch.

It's really important that we all participate in local shopping.  Many merchants are closing or have closed their doors recently, and that makes me very sad.  I know firsthand how hard running a small business can be, and it breaks my heart when one of my fellow shop keepers packs it in.

We as merchants need to continue to offer superior customer service, products and competitive pricing in order to stay alive.  As a customer, you should expect nothing less.   Geneva merchants do a wonderful job in making sure our customer's needs are not just met but exceeded.  Sometimes, it's not enough.

Find out what's happening in Genevawith free, real-time updates from Patch.

The main reason I went off on this little rant was in hopes to inspire a few people to really consider buying local before going to the big box stores or shopping online.  Local downtown business districts are the life blood of America. If they go away so does a part of each and every one of us.

I will finish this by quoting a former long time store owner. When it comes to your local downtown stores, use it or lose it.

Marty Kane is the co-owner of Great Harvest Bread in downtown Geneva.

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