Many people have suggested that somebody start a program based on the $5.00 a day theory. They think that Main Street, or the Chamber of Commerce, or the City of Blue Island should get all the businesses involved. I think that these people are missing the point, which is that the we, the people of Blue Island, are the ones who have to spend their $5.00 a day.
If I may quote from my original letter:
“I have an idea to help revitalize the downtown business district. This idea does not involve any additional meetings, we do not need a committee, and we do not need a fundraiser, a permit, or approval from anyone.
Ask yourself “How much money do I spend each day?” Now ask yourself “How much of that do I spend on Western Avenue?”
I challenge each of us to spend an average of $5.00 a day in the downtown area. Take $5.00 and visit a business that you think has nothing you want. Introduce yourself and buy something you can use; a chocolate bar, a bar of soap, a can of tuna, salt & pepper shakers, a cold beer, a belt, a purse, a tire gauge.”
I know that the Chamber of Commerce is working on a program to involve the citizens and the businesses, and I am grateful that something is being done. My greatest fear is that we, the people of Blue Island, will immediately become complacent, believing that “the Chamber has everything under control”. So let me make this perfectly clear: the Chamber of Commerce, or Main Street, or the City of Blue Island is not going to spend your $5.00 a day. You have to do that yourself.
A woman stopped in and told me that she had read an article which stated that 45% of the money you spend in a town stays in that town. I believe it. I checked to see how the money we take in is spent, and I would say that we are slightly above that percentage. The rest of it is scattered around the country and around the world. If you ever wished you lived in a wealthier neighborhood, all you have to do is spend your money in Blue Island. If you spend $100.00 in Chicago, Alsip, Homewood, or Crestwood you are taking $45.00 directly out of Blue Island and investing that in some other town.
People are coming in from all over; a lady from Wilmington, and another from Palos, and another from Midlothian. A man came from the north side of Chicago, and even a woman from Iowa. They all want to know how the $5.00 a day thing is going. I don’t really know how it’s going, it’s too early to tell, but now I know that people are watching, and I want you, the people of Blue Island to know that people are watching. They say that what happens in Vegas stays in Vegas, but I am hoping that what’s happening in Blue Island the whole world will see, stand up, and applaud. It is up to us, we the people of Blue Island.
Friday, November 16, 2007
Thursday, November 8, 2007
When you care enough.....
I felt very guilty. I was sure that someone would recognize me and then the ugly truth would be out. I’ll confess right here and now; I was shopping at Kohl’s. I bought a set of fluffy bath towels, some underwear, and a pair of pajamas. I hate to admit it, but not everything is available in Blue Island. We don’t have a bead shop, a toy store, a bike shop, or a shoe store (other than orthopedic). So if you’re thinking of opening a business here there are lots of opportunities. How about a bath/bed spa store, with thick towels and robes and pajamas that you want to live in? I didn’t think you could buy a Monopoly game nearby, but was surprised when I called Walgreens and was told that yes, they did have them. Things are available in places we don’t think of.
It has happened more than once that a customer will be standing less than 10 feet from our two spinners of greeting cards and lament that there is no place in Blue Island other than Walgreens to buy a card. In these busy lives of ours we sometimes fail to take off the blinders and look around us. So let me help. Many stores in Blue Island carry greeting cards, and this is a great way to spend your $5.00. If you stop in and buy two or three cards you’ve spent your money.**
The following Blue Island stores sell greeting cards
Flowers by Cathe at13022 Western
Flowers by Bartle at 12755 Western
Jewel-Osco at 2320 Burr Oak Ave
Walgreens at 12625 Western
Family Dollar at 3026 Burr Oak Ave
Family Dollar Stores at 2418 Vermont
Dollar Express at 2355 Vermont
Dollar Mania at 12112 Western
Three Sisters Antiques at 13042 Western
Vermont Antiques at 2403 Vermont
Lillian’s Antiques at 13035 Western
Carr home-garden-holiday at 13114 Western
The Corner Store at 12458 Maple
Many of these stores carry cards in English and Spanish, and the antique stores often carry both new and antique cards.
I’m positive that there are others that I haven’t listed. Call me and I’ll list you next time. It seems the city is awash in greeting cards, so think Blue Island first. There is probably a store you could walk to and buy the card you need.
One more thing. The customer in line ahead of me at Kohl’s spent $235.00. As the checker was packing the purchases it occurred to me that the customer probably didn’t need all that stuff. I didn’t need the pajamas either, but I saw them and liked them, and oh....what the heck. Wouldn’t it be great if we could adopt that attitude when shopping in our own community? Why do we tend to be so stingy with our own merchants, and gladly open our wallets for the big box stores? Let me suggest this: Next time you need a greeting card, go to one of the above businesses, and while you’re there think “what the heck” and buy yourself something extra. A couple of flowers, a candy bar, some trinket, that pair of antique earrings, an extra can of hash. Not only does it feel good to treat yourself, it helps our community on many levels.
**Approximately 10,000 adults live here. If each of them spent an average of $5.00 a day in Blue Island in a store that they usually don’t visit, that would be $50,000.00 a day, $350,000.00 a week, $1,500,000.00 a month, and $7,500,000.00 by the end of this year. That type of investment would be huge. The city would be thriving.
It has happened more than once that a customer will be standing less than 10 feet from our two spinners of greeting cards and lament that there is no place in Blue Island other than Walgreens to buy a card. In these busy lives of ours we sometimes fail to take off the blinders and look around us. So let me help. Many stores in Blue Island carry greeting cards, and this is a great way to spend your $5.00. If you stop in and buy two or three cards you’ve spent your money.**
The following Blue Island stores sell greeting cards
Flowers by Cathe at13022 Western
Flowers by Bartle at 12755 Western
Jewel-Osco at 2320 Burr Oak Ave
Walgreens at 12625 Western
Family Dollar at 3026 Burr Oak Ave
Family Dollar Stores at 2418 Vermont
Dollar Express at 2355 Vermont
Dollar Mania at 12112 Western
Three Sisters Antiques at 13042 Western
Vermont Antiques at 2403 Vermont
Lillian’s Antiques at 13035 Western
Carr home-garden-holiday at 13114 Western
The Corner Store at 12458 Maple
Many of these stores carry cards in English and Spanish, and the antique stores often carry both new and antique cards.
I’m positive that there are others that I haven’t listed. Call me and I’ll list you next time. It seems the city is awash in greeting cards, so think Blue Island first. There is probably a store you could walk to and buy the card you need.
One more thing. The customer in line ahead of me at Kohl’s spent $235.00. As the checker was packing the purchases it occurred to me that the customer probably didn’t need all that stuff. I didn’t need the pajamas either, but I saw them and liked them, and oh....what the heck. Wouldn’t it be great if we could adopt that attitude when shopping in our own community? Why do we tend to be so stingy with our own merchants, and gladly open our wallets for the big box stores? Let me suggest this: Next time you need a greeting card, go to one of the above businesses, and while you’re there think “what the heck” and buy yourself something extra. A couple of flowers, a candy bar, some trinket, that pair of antique earrings, an extra can of hash. Not only does it feel good to treat yourself, it helps our community on many levels.
**Approximately 10,000 adults live here. If each of them spent an average of $5.00 a day in Blue Island in a store that they usually don’t visit, that would be $50,000.00 a day, $350,000.00 a week, $1,500,000.00 a month, and $7,500,000.00 by the end of this year. That type of investment would be huge. The city would be thriving.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Posts
