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Opinion: Tour of Logan business
gems reveals idealism, care
By Blaine Adams
May 15, 2009 | Logan doesn't have as vibrant a local
business scene as other cities. Main Street is in shambles,
with businesses closing, and the big-box stores are
continually moving into the northern parts of the city,
pushing the average commute higher.
But the people behind the local store signs are energetic
and passionate. They're dedicated to giving back to
the community. And they, above all else, see customers
as people, not numbers.
Every business I went into, from Persian Peacock to
Greenline Scooters, had customers milling in the store
who knew the owners and employees. Every time, the employees
were friendly, patient, and above all else—service-oriented.
That's all well and good, but expected. What I found
that truly separated Logan's local businesses, beyond
the care, above the quality, were the brick and mortar—and
the personality evident in the stones.
Caffe Ibis is brisk and busy—there was always a lengthy
line every time I stepped inside. But the floors are
natural stone; the walls are stocked with unique items,
and behind the counter lay dozens of syrups, organic
products, and desserts. The effect is not to create
awe or sterilized beauty, but to breed familiarity,
like the shop's a place you can return many times; a
place of friends and coffee.
Others were more business-like—Directive's concrete
floors and elegantly laid shirts and wrist bands, Greenline
Scooter's neat tile and polished bikes. The effect of
each store is organic or naturally-arising—there are
no mass market surveys to determine the correct color
or placement of the high-value items. Instead, the owners
and proprietors have placed every bit of their passion
into their walls, and the result is a beautiful cacophony
of personality.
The owners, too, are individualistic and idealistic
and above all, serious men and women, for whom going
to work is a work of art and never a chore. Many of
the owners I spoke to, after reflection, realized they
chose to start their businesses because of something
deeper than a way to make money. For many, money may
have been a motivating factor, but so was the desire
to serve Logan in some way or form. These lofty goals
were anything but—and may ultimately prove to help Logan
in the long run. There is a place in this city for both
local and national stores—and I saw that many of these
shops don't even directly compete with the Wal-Marts
or Best Buys. They have either unique brands or higher-quality
coupled with longer warranties. These aren't merely
PR talking points, either.
They're the way these store owners prove they care—by
selling an item, and hoping their customers check in,
and advising their friends to shop there as well.
In the current economic climate, there's a national
push to buy local. Every store owner I spoke with actively
gives to local charities. I initially approached this
series as a way to discover what these local businesses
offered Logan—beyond higher-quality products. I wondered
if anyone would notice if they disappeared, leaving
another vacant storefront window in our town. The answer
is yes. Maybe subtly, maybe slowly, but these shops
and stores are not interested in just naked profits
or expanding to the entire U.S. They're focused on providing
Logan with a dedication and service only available in
small towns.
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