Alice Hutchinson, owner of Byrd's Books in Bethel, Conn., answered three questions posed by HamletHub regarding why small businesses matter to the town, including:
Finish this sentence in regard to your business. "I wish I could..."
I wish I could convey just how important downtowns are to a communty. Every time someone chooses to shop online, they are taking those valuable resources away from a local business. "Shop Local" means that a small business can keep the money in the community by hiring employees, paying taxes, and providing personalized service. Yes, it may cost a bit more, but I think the value to a community is well worth it. If you like your local shops, go into them and buy something! It makes a big difference.