I am excited to see a new commercial business opening in Broadway, Virginia. Plan B is under construction. They will have fresh-baked goods, hand crafted soups, salads, and sandwiches, and of course fair trade local coffee from Lucas Roasting. They will offer web access, live music, galleries for art shows, and special entertainment for kids’ movie matinees, yoga, and t’chi. While this new business getting ready to launch is exciting, the loss of the hardware store on main street is a set back. Can we figure out how to build community during a time of economic weakness?
Harrisonburg is also seeing wins and losses downtown. Over the past year, several new restaurants have opened and we have lost a few. There are still plenty of empty office spaces, but the commercial store fronts are slowly filling. In order for these downtown businesses to survive we need to go downtown and give them our support. Every dollar you spend is a vote in what you think is most important. If you support local businesses then you are putting more money back into the local economy.
It is time to focus on rebuilding our community here in the valley. When you have an option, shop local buy local.
