by Erik Hare
Locally owned independent businesses always have a tough time. They have to build their reputation one customer at a time, borrowing and scraping to get what they need to make their dreams a reality. What they have to put up against the long odds is their own determination and hard work, dedication and cunning. But by banding together they can get the word out and acquire the skills they need to make it all work. That’s what the MetroIBA is all about.
The MetroIBA is an alliance of these small businesses who share the common vision of entrepreneurship and opportunity. It’s valuable because study after study shows that money spent in locally owned independent stores, restaurants and service providers return 68 cents to the community on average, versus 43 cents that stays local in a national chain. That difference is what it takes for a community to be more self-sufficient and master its own destiny. These are important values in Saint Paul and across the metropolitan Twin Cities region.
The value of sticking together is obvious. A small store like Cooks of Crocus Hill (pictured) has a unique ability to respond quickly to the needs of its customers, carving out a niche based on service to of the products its customers tell it they need directly. The difficulty they face is connecting to their customers for the first time to let them know what they have to offer. As support for local stores builds into a movement, customers give places like this a try and soon become loyal fans. There’s plenty of benefit for everyone, once they know about it.
Membership in the MetroIBA is only $125 and goes directly to their ongoing support for buying local. Their members include some of the finest suppliers of goods and services in the Twin Cities. Membership puts each of them at the center of a growing movement of entrepreneurs dedicated to making all our lives a little better while they make a business that thrives.
The MetroIBA is a great asset to Saint Paul, and the growing movement they are at the center of is a very important one for the continued success of our city. Take a look at their membership roster and give them a try – the personal, friendly service you find at a locally owned independent business will have you hooked in no time.
