It Does Work!

We have been writing about the power of the community to insulate itself against the cold economic climate. Last month we explained how if all us Eastsiders make every effort to support other Eastside mom & pop businesses are little micro economy could stand strong.
It works, we asked Garzelli’s neighbors to try to dedicate some of their eating out budget to Garzelli’s. If they didn’t, January would be the last they’d see of Garzellis. People have responded and Garzelli’s is ready for February.
They are not out the “hole“ yet but they are showing an increase in sales and that was in only a month. If Garzelli’s fans, friends & neighbors continue to keep up the good work Garzelli’s will still be spinning the dough this spring.
We thank all of the people who made the effort to support this local business in need. It may just be one of the thousands of Beechmont businesses to many but, to the MacDonald family that owns & operates the pizza parlor it’s the future of the family. All four children work at the restaurant with the mom & dad. Big brother has a Macdonald grandchild in the making now. All together that’s 6.5 incomes that need to meet a minimum just to survive. On top of that there’s also a minimum income for the business to survive as well. It all comes from you.
This is just the first example of how powerful local small business trading is to the economic life of a community. If no-one supports Garzellis, and gives their money to Arby’s instead there will 6 people out of work, 2 enveloped in debt, and no decent pizza for Brandy Chase and Withamwoods residents. Plus an empty plaza space to make all the plaza neighbors feel more secure about their businesses future.
You the readers supported Garzelli’s and prevented (or at least bought much needed time) a seemingly inevitable January closing. Garzelli’s didn’t get a presidential grant to pull through the month with (that would have been nice though). Obama didn’t even need to know about it. You knew about it and that is all it takes.
It does work, we can hold one another up and stabilize ourselves to a great degree. It only works though when we patronize only small locally owned businesses (or as many as we can). It doesn’t come natural for most people to prioritize that anymore as we once did. The fast food drive thru lines are still daily traffic jams and the money from just one of those days could keep a mom & pop place going for another month. It’s time, to take the time, to support your community. Before we’re out of time.
We’ll keep doing all we can and if you know anyone we can help send us the details. Our efforts pale in comparison to our reader’s efforts and that we are not ashamed of. Just like you, we can’t fix it all, but at least we are trying. I have a feeling that’s all it’s going to take.