LETTERS: Check locally before shopping out of town years ago
To the Editor:
There was an ad in the March 26 issue of the Marion County Record in which Marion Chamber of Commerce was sponsoring a sale day Saturday at participating businesses. I had to be in Wichita for a conference and was unable to participate, but I hope others in town appreciated the day, shopping at stores that were offering sales.
This is the kind of shopping advertisement that may show some sort of results if we take advantage of the chance.
As a side note, I thought I was going to have to make a trip out of town to buy a belt for my Kirby vacuum cleaner. But, last week I found the belt (and bags) at a local store. A trip to purchase a $1.99 belt would have cost me an additional couple of hours and about $7 for gas. Thanks to the local business, I now have no excuse to skip the housecleaning for awhile!
The lesson learned is I will start checking more carefully and perhaps asking if the item needed could be added to a store's inventory. Never hurts to ask!
A thought for you — if you are in the market for an appliance or another item that is offered by a local business, why not ask them if they might give you a better price quote? Time and fuel expenses must be considered every time we get in the car to travel to another town. The difference in the price may not be that much and we know our local businesses need our patronage.
Something else to think about — most of us can tell others why Marion offers the lifestyle where we want to live, but many local residents are working out of town and sometimes find it more convenient to shop while at work. Wouldn't it be great if those workers could find a job here in Marion? Or better yet, maybe open the type of business that seems to be missing?
Lastly, in order to begin filling the storefronts in the business district and showing potential business owners they are needed could be as simple as showing we are willing to shop locally! Who knows until we all are more committed to do just that.
Mary Olson, mayor
Marion
