Small Business Saturday

 

 

 Black Friday ?

 

Not this girl !

When I was young , sure.

Now , I'm afraid I might cause serious injury to others

( or myself )

There is absolutely nothing I need that bad to wait in line,

in the cold,

with rude , crazed people.

NOTHING !

 

But here is a shopping day I can get behind 100%,

Small Business Saturday.

 

 

Small Mom and Pop business' is what started this country.

Warning - here comes the nostalgia again.

 

If you've read my blog before ,

you probably know I have been a small business owner.

I LOVED being part of a small Main Street community.

Where you greeted your customers by name.

Customer service was my top priority.

As was price and quality.

But I always felt that if you gave your customers the best possible service ,

they wouldn't mind paying a little more.

Maybe some people don't think that way but I do.

 

I've gotten myself in trouble more than once with my tirades about poor customer service.

But I stand behind that .

Good customer service is that important to me .

 

This post is for those small town,

main street business',

hanging in there in these hard economic times.

They are important for more than just the products and services they provide.

They are important for community survival.

They are important for COMMUNITY.

You know what I mean ???

 

Anyway....

I am highlighting a few of my favorites from my corner of the world.

Please check out their pages, websites or if you are in the area, their business.

I am providing links where ever possible.

 

These business' represent quality product, reasonable prices and

EXCELLENT customer service.

They are business' I frequent as much as possible.

 

New Hampton, Ia,

Schueth Ace Hardware -

They have everything and I mean everything . From home improvement needs , to gift ware to home decor. Their staff is so knowledgeable and friendly. If you walk in there without being greeted and asked if you need help , I'll eat my hat . I mean it . 3rd generation family owned. It doesn't get any better than that.

 

Pocketful of Posies

A fantastic quality floral shop. I love a great floral shop. I was in the business too long not to appreciate the hard work and stressful business it is. They have excellent floral designers, reasonable prices and excellent customer service. They also have home decor, a local art gallery, and my favorite Iowa wine.

 

Clermont Iowa ( my second home )

The Art Gallery and Home Accents

Marty and Carol have a fantastic Art Gallery with art from around the area artists , a great selection of  home decor and a wide selection of Iowa wine. They are hard working, friendly people and I visit them often. Wine tasting is always available ( but that's not the only reason I go ! )

 

Elkader , Iowa

The Cooper Frog

Unfortunately , no web site of FB page.

This is one of my all time favorite stores. It is a great mix of old and new, used and repurposed. Deb is such a fun lady . I never entered her store with out her greeting me. She is absolutely SWEET to each person that enters . Her prices are outstanding.

 

 I love the whole community of Elkader, and shop it often in the summer especially. But I am only mentioning business' with excellent customer service and the others haven't lived up to that yet. Although the town has awesome shops well worth a visit. I you are a lover of junk, vintage and just good stuff , spend a day in Elkader.

 

Last weekend I spent the weekend with my friend Rhonda in Ankeny.

She took Em and I to the most fantastic places in Des Moines East Village !

Oh my !

It's probably a good thing I don't live there,

I would definatley spend too much money.

 

Seed

The most unique shop I have ever been in - hands down.

Unusual plants , garden art , BEAUTIFUL window display.

If I EVER worked in the flower/plant world again , it would only be in a shop like this. You can tell it belongs to a person that loves living green things and is frequented by the same. It had such a magical feel to it , I didn't want to leave. Thank goodness the girls humored me and let me browse as long as I wanted.

 

Green Goods

Fantastic little shop with environmentally and socially conscious products. The shop owner was so friendly and talkative. Please check out her website. Her products were so unique that I just can't explain them all, art , lotions, books.. we even found the essential oil Em was looking for.

 

Allspice

The biggest, best displayed selection of oils, vinegars and spices I have EVER seen ! They had spices I didn't even know existed. You can buy their oil and vinegar in bulk , bring your empty bottles back and refill them. I was overwhelmed ... where to start... but the staff was so helpful . I left with a bag full and it will definitely on my must stop list for the next time I visit.

 

There you have it ...

a list of my favorite small business.

If you are in the area , please visit them.

 

If not please visit a small business in your neck of the woods.