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HAMILTON – The rise of big box stores – huge corporate chain stores – and online shopping sources are threatening the very existence of Main Street shops across the country. While many towns in Southern Madison and Chenango counties have only a smattering of locally owned stores, Hamilton’s downtown has a healthy string of retail, grocery, hardware, office supply, and food and beverage establishments. But do they have the patronage and financial strength to stay in business?
Leslie Yacavone, owner/operator of the Peppermill kitchen and gourmet store on Madison Street says that just being there for out-of-town visitors isn’t enough.
“There is a perception that smaller stores have higher prices,” said Yacavone, “but that really isn’t true. We have so many things that local people need at prices that are still affordable.”
According to the Census Bureau, “mom and pop” shop owners account for about 70% of all US businesses, but these corner stores or home-based businesses are under constant attack from sources that sometimes don’t even realize the damage they are causing. The biggest offender? The average consumer.
Dave Palmer, who works at Curtis Lumber, appreciates that people choose to shop there rather than driving to chain building supply stores up to 30 miles away.
“Shopping around here keeps our local economy going,” said Palmer, “and you save time and gas. Besides, the sales tax is 8% in Hamilton and 8.75% in Oneida County.”
Joan Prindle, a member of the Hamilton Historical Commission who works at the public library, believes that local businesses often come up with creative solutions based on caring for their customer.
“There is a feeling of responsibility and a level of customer service in a mom and pop shop that is different than a chain store,” said Prindle.
Elder Silva is chef/partner at La Iguana Restaurant on Broad Street in Hamilton. He said that when you focus on independently owned businesses, you focus on the community.
“We are trying to work with local farms and producers, to meet the needs of the people around here,” said Silva. “We do get customers who drive or walk by and come in, but our everyday customers are the ones who live here. If we help them, they help us. It is the community’s cycle.”
Hamilton residents Bill and Carolyn Todd were out riding their bikes recently, on their way home from Wayne’s Market after doing some shopping.
"We’ve decided not to patronize the large grocery chain because we prefer to buy from local establishments,” said Bill Todd. “We’re buying from the weekend farmers’ markets (being tested at various locations around Hamilton), local farms, and the Hamilton Whole Foods store. We’ll be able to get through part of the winter with a produce box that we got from Common Thread - our community supported agriculture (CSA) farm.”
Carolyn Todd, who was recently was elected to the Hamilton Town Council feels that supporting local businesses is the right thing to do.
“We know that if we don’t support local businesses, they won’t stay here,” she said, “and we want this to be a self-sufficient community with local shopping options, local commerce and banking, and services. We want that to be here.”
Local merchants may not regularly stock an item that you need but may be able to special order it from their suppliers. Giving them the chance to do so goes a long way, said Yacavone, who is happy to order things that her customers are looking for.
“There are big chain stores that claim to offer one-stop shopping and cheap prices, but they won’t have the unique items or high quality products that you’ll find in the smaller shops,” says Yacavone. Buying better quality products will also save in the long run when you don’t have to frequently replace inexpensive, low quality items.
Hamilton’s Village stores and businesses are important cogs in the wheel of a healthy and sustainable local economy. Local business owners contribute to local fundraising and provide jobs to residents. Through efforts like the Hamilton Business Alliance, local businesses work to support each other.
“In today's economy everyone is interested in getting the best prices and saving money,” said Pamela Haight, former owner of Cranberries, a gift and interior store which was located in the village of Hamilton. Now, Haight works out of her home doing interior design.  “People are willing to travel far out of their way, spending time and fuel, to try to get the best deal but they may not realize that they could have purchased the same item locally at a comparable price, with the added benefit of personal service and keeping their community thriving.”
Small local suppliers may not always be able to compete with large retailers in price but in service and flexible return and warranty policies, they offer something much more valuable in the long run: a quality of life that all of us will miss when it is no longer available. Shop Mom and Pop, or they may not be around when you need them.
 


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