Maricopa Chamber Director’s Blog

Nov 20

More on Shopping local…

Filed Under General

Last modified: November 20, 2007

This is an open response to all who have email me with comments on my article on shopping local. This was the fifth article I have written over the past year on this subject and the first time I have gotten any feedback. At least it was read. The intent here is to inform not to debate. The Chamber of Commerce is not responsible for the quality of food or service, policies of establishments nor products these establishments carry.

The overwhelming tone of all these emails has been negative with explanations and complaints of why people can not or will not shop locally, it is sad to think our small community is filled with such an abundance of negativity. Does a bad experience at this restaurant, or the wrong sizes at that store have to ruin the local experience? Is it impossible to focus on what CAN be purchased in town? If you don’t like a certain restaurant try a different one, if you have a bad experience at one auto repair place try Mel’s NAPA auto.

You can have a bad shopping, dining, experience anywhere, Chandler, Ahwatukee, Casa Grande but would that sway you from even thinking about going back again? I am just asking you to think local first.

Let’s try it this way:

• Southwest Peddlers not only carries a broad assortment of western wear but also jewelry, home décor, original local art, work boots & jeans
• Ace Hardware not only carries an assortment of every day needs but also small appliances, fresh flowers and holiday trimmings
• fTanning carries a fine assortment of fine ladies handbags and costume jewelry
• Poco Loco carries home furnishings, jewelry, hand made pottery (made by the owners) custom floral & greenery arraignments, custom serving sets & flatware
• Mel’s NAPA Auto has a full service garage and mechanic on duty, as well as tires and tire repair. They also carry hardware (they were the first hardware store in Maricopa)
• Entrees Made Easy can feed a family of 4 for around 13.00. Recently I spend 25.00 to pick up fast food for my family of 3. If you call ahead Entrees will even cook the dinner for you.
• DVD Game Depot carries all the popular game systems for the same price as you would pay elsewhere and if they do not have the game or movie you wish to purchase they will gladly order it for you. As an added convenience you can even go online and order your movie or game ahead of time they will have it ready for you when you arrive.
• Try ASKING a retailer if they would be willing to carry a specific item or size. You may find them willing to special order things for you.

To restate if you can not find an item in town please feel free to contact me and if some place in town carries it more than likely I can help you find it, whatever “it” may be.

The Maricopa Chamber of Commerce is here to support the business and residents of this community in a positive cohesive way. It is not our role to create policies or set business practice standards. We are here to inform, educate and enlighten.

Nov 12

This is to the person who left me the very colorful phone message this past weekend…

Filed Under General

Last modified: November 12, 2007

The Maricopa Chamber of Commerce is not responsible for the following agencies: ADOT, the road crews, The City of Maricopa (All departments), Pinal County, AMTRAK and Union Pacific Railroad. We are neither owned by, operated by, nor am I paid by any of the above agencies.

Now that being stated let me ask this question: How would you propose resurfacing a road? As far as I know there are not road fairies that fly in while we sleep to wave a magic wand and poof a road appears.

If there was an emergency there are other ways in and out of town that police, fire & ambulance can and do use. There is also helicopter transportation. This is not 1810 this is 2007. I am sorry you feel “We” are ruining this town. I would like to know what “we” you are referring to? In my case I would take “we” to mean the residents of our fare community. Many of us would gladly put up with a little traffic to live in a small community away from the crowds and noise of the city.

I think that the crew working on the 347 should be commended for getting the road stripped, milled and resurfaced in 2 days. Quite a feat when you think of the verbal and physical abuse they have taken over the past few months. We should be happy they stayed to finish!

Hopefully the light of day and a few days rest have calmed your nerves and you were able to enjoy the rest of your weekend.

Nov 9

Response to my article in The Communicator…

Filed Under General

Last modified: November 9, 2007

The following is a email conversation between myself and a local resident in response to my article titled “Another Sad Farewell” that posted in the November 7, 2007 issue of The Communicator. I am posting this because it is good feedback for the business community.

From Mrs. Doan:

Hi there. I wasn’t sure if there is any way for you to pass along this opinion to future shop owners, or ones struggling, but after reading your article in the Communicator this week I felt I had to respond. I believe I read a similar article awhile back from you- or someone else in the Chamber of Commerce. I don’t know if you can share this in email format to business owners, or if it will even help, but I didn’t want to put in an opinion letter for fear of encouraging people to feel even more justified in leaving Maricopa to spend.

If shop owners and the city want to keep consumer dollars here, they have GOT to stock items that we would actually buy, in addition to be competitive on their pricing. My husband and I firmly believe in buying from small businesses first, and we try to buy everything in Maricopa, even if it increases our out of pocket expense. We understand that the little extra it costs us will be worth it in the long run, in building up our city. But shop owners have to understand that spending extra is not always an option for the people in our community. Just about everyone living here works in the surrounding cities, and it makes more sense to them to stop on the way home and pick up what they need, saving dollars and it didn’t even cost them an extra trip. It’s so convenient to shop in Chandler when you work there, shop owners need to motivate consumers- for almost every one of my friends, they can not afford to pay more, and don’t think the shops in Maricopa are offering anything worth the extra dollar.

In regards to the two shops that closed, I wonder if you purchased things at either that you really wanted or needed. I went to Cexi’s twice, and did not find anything over a size 14. Have you looked at our population? I see a lot of large women at Fry’s- even if they wanted to, they couldn’t have bought clothing at Cexi’s simply from selection. I desperately tried to find something that would work, but even though my daughter could fit the clothing, they were not appropriate for a 11 year old. The shop failed to look at the population- and put in products that would appeal to your “soccer mom” and price it accordingly. I also know there are many slim women in Maricopa, but could they have not been buying because they didn’t like the styles, or prefer to hang out at the Mall? Both groups of people were not satisfied with what was being offered, and Cexi’s had a full year of feedback- and they never changed it. Gadgets? We went there once as well, and were able to find two small items- simply because we felt BAD. We wanted to buy something from the nice, older man who didn’t seem to have a clue that his shop belonged near a tourist attraction. We also mentioned to him the prices were too much for our community, but he didn’t agree- “that’s how much it costs to run a shop”. Well, that’s why you aren’t running anymore, kind sir.

There was nothing in that shop that was needed, and most people don’t want to spend $18 on a pocket knife they can buy at the feed store down the road for $10.

Entrees Made Easy will not be a surprise if it closes. Most families in Maricopa can not afford those kinds of conveniences, it’s not a NEED for our fast food community, and those of us who do like to cook, don’t need help that ends up doubling our grocery bill. Fun idea, and when the number of people can support a small percentage to actually use the service and make it lucrative, great. But know that it will be awhile.

More signs and advertising isn’t going to help a product that few want or need.

DVD Game Depot can’t compete with the lower retail prices, but they are wise in selling rental memberships and personal customer service. We love the men there, so have purchased more than a few movies at the $30 price, when we knew full well we could buy the same movie for $15 at Wal-Mart. Just don’t be surprised when other people aren’t willing to do the same. Find a way to get competitive.

As for local eateries, don’t be surprised that the franchises get all the business. Their food tastes good! Get out there owners and start eating at other places! Get flavor into your dishes, not just flair!

Research and better your menus if you aren’t getting the turn out you want- and then advertise that you have a NEW menu, or a NEW chef! We want to try you again, but when your food at least is better than what we can cook at home. We have eaten at Penascos a couple of times because we want the local dollars- and while the service is wonderful, the food has very little flavor and hurts my stomach from the cheap oil they fry in. Don’t be surprised if other people don’t come back.

Please encourage owners to look at the demographics and open up things we NEED, or WANT. Those of us desperate to help out our city are frustrated beyond belief at the ridiculous enterprises others seem to think we need. We are NOT Chandler, the families that moved out here couldn’t afford Chandler, so stop putting in “fashion boutiques” that appeal to those people. People buy homes in Maricopa because they can get more house for less money, and are hoping the investment will pay off in years to come. I have an entire group of friends who actually email a list of items they need picked up if anyone is “going to town” (ie Chandler, Tempe), and some mom actually gets it while she is there!

I have lectured many times of how they need to shop here, but they either can not afford it or don’t truly understand the need. And to be honest with you, my husband and I are getting pretty tired of the whining the shop owners continue to do about how the city needs to help them, blah blah blah. It’s enough to make us want to shop elsewhere. We are your customer, your not ours. Give us something we want, and we will gladly give you our dollars. Offer things that we actually need, and we might forget about the extra couple of dollars it costs us. We WANT to help you, we WANT to see Maricopa’s small business network grow, but we aren’t going to lie to you, as the closing businesses attest. Our actions speak loud enough, you are not meeting your consumer’s needs or desires. So CHANGE it. Have a re-grand opening after polling your current customers on what they want. Go door to door if you have to, handing out surveys of what your neighbors want to see on your shelves.

What are they driving down the 347 for? Otherwise I am afraid, when the Wal-Marts and Targets of the world arrive, you will be surprised at how much shopping suddenly picks up in Maricopa- only not at your business.

My Response:

Good Morning,

I read with great interest and respect your response to my article. You and your husband have obviously put a great deal of thought and effort into this issue. As a proponent for local business I applaud your efforts to “keep it local.”

Unfortunately, you are among the few. My personal frustration stems from residents, even my neighbors, who have no idea where some of these businesses are.

Yes, I purchased many items from Fashions by Cexi and Gifts Games & Gadgets and my family also loves Al & Paul at the DVD Game Depot. But I am also a realist and know that these stores were not for everyone, but it makes me sad nun the less.

Thank you again for your response and if you agree I would like to post our conversation on the Chambers Blog. If you would rather I did not then I won’t.

Have a great day.

Terri Kingery
Executive Director