Shop Local: It’s Time to Support Region’s Retailers

Think about the hard-working men and women who run our stores and service businesses.

Shop in our community and you keep dollars circulating for the benefit of our hometown.

Buy during a lingering recession and you create the best stimulus for recovery -- local jobs.

"Think. Shop. Buy. Local" just happens to be the focal point of an encompassing campaign by the region's Retail Merchants Association to ring up greater support for businesses that are our neighbors, friends, and helpers. Now, more than ever, supporting local businesses is important.

I admit I have a bias. My livelihood and that of approximately 625 colleagues at the

Richmond Times-Dispatch and another 925 of our independent contractors depend on retailers who advertise and inform the public using our newspapers and Web sites to attract customers. As they go, we go.

And we are downright fortunate to have so many loyal advertisers who have continued their partnership with us despite the tough times. Let me say in print what I tell them whenever I see them: Thank you, thank you. We appreciate your business.

Because of those partnerships, I gladly accepted the merchants group's invitation to participate in a panel discussion Friday about the Shop Local initiative -- along with Michael Guld, of The Guld Research Group and "Talking Business . . . " on WCVE and Richmond.com, and Sarah Paxton of LaDifference, the colorful international furnishings retailer downtown.

In concert with the campaign, The Times-Dispatch is publishing a full-page, color advertisement that now carries the logos of 81 businesses to support. The ad emphasizes the campaign's pitch to join the movement: "I pledge to THINK first of my local economy, SHOP first at my local businesses, and BUY first from local companies who give back so much, in so many ways, to my community."

I set out to prepare for the RMA discussion but quickly got hung up -- on the campaign's first step, Think. I blame The Times-Dispatch. I kept staring at the array of names and asked myself just what did I know about each of the companies staring back at me?

Not enough.

So, thanks to a staycation week off, I made it a point to learn more about the Shop Local players. It was eye-opening.

Two notepads later, I'm ready to share some of the insights and tidbits -- with the pitch for you to join me in getting to know what really makes our businesses tick.

Think about who calls our region home and build a relationship with our local operators.

In the meantime, here's a sample of what I discovered, with selected examples that are by no means definitive:

• Local businesses have impressive histories:

C.P. Dean, the "billiard and game-room authority," was founded by a skilled woodworker in 1886. The Selden family took over in 1903 and three generations later is still in charge. Current President Bill Selden is chair of the Retail Merchants Association.

H.W. Rountree's Luggage started in 1875 and became famous for its patented roller tray trunks. Back then, it also owned a four-story factory and retail outlet that occupied a full city block on West Franklin Street, where the company manufactured trunks, bags, and valises.

Cowardin's Jewelers, "Richmond's oldest jewelers," is ushering in a fifth generation. Founder William Henry Cowardin, born March 21, 1847, had an uncle, James Andrew Cowardin, who was the founder and editor of the Richmond Daily Dispatch, "Richmond's largest newspaper and the parent of today's Richmond Times-Dispatch."

Siewers, a lumber and millwork company since 1884, now has fourth-generation ownership that traces its heritage to German immigrant Richard Alvin Siewers, who died in 1909 at age 49. Siewers now "specializes in custom mouldings, doors, windows, and lumbers for renovated homes and businesses, many of which were built by the company's founder."

• Local businesses enjoy a laugh:

On its Web site, Adolf Jewelers takes a poll with three potential answers to this statement: "(Blank) is a girl's best friend." Last week, dogs -- at 47 percent -- were beating out the hoped-for diamonds (45 percent), with power tools a not-surprising distant third.

Free Agent Marketing uses quotations in each major section of its Web site, including this one that's spot-on: "Advertising is totally unnecessary. Unless you hope to make money." -- Jeff Richards.

• Our businesses shift with the times:

Tweed, which sells unusual gifts, home accessories, and accent furniture, grew out of Sparta Books, one of New Jersey's "oldest, largest and most respective independent bookstores." Tweed has stores in Richmond and Sparta, N.J. Next up is planned expansion in Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, and Florida.

• Our businesses stick with what works:

For 20 years, Buttons and Bows has been "everything for children," thanks to a "personalized shopping experience."

Businesses come and go, but costume renter and seller Premiere, which opened in 1974, "remains under original ownership and an anchor store in the ever-evolving Carytown."

• Our businesses started by seeing an untapped opportunity:

Schwarzschild Jewelers' founder William Henry Schwarzschild was a clothing salesman in the 1890s when four major railroads served Richmond. He guessed that high-caliber timepieces were essential to keeping the trains running on time. His Old Dominion Watch Co. took off and his three brothers joined in to build a jewelry retailer.

Ellman's Dancewear of Carytown started as a shoe store in 1948. Requests for dance shoes and dance apparel helped founders John and Ida Ellman find an unfilled niche.

Tots on the Go sells strollers. It opens its Midlothian showroom by appointment only, but is flexible to make it easier for time-pressed customers. Not sure you'll pick the perfect stroller? You can rent them by the day or for up to a week. "Run in your neighborhood with it and see if you and your kids are comfortable with it."

• Local businesses are about family:

Mark Bartlett of Weather Crafters Heating and Air Conditioning, which was founded in 1969 as an oil company serving the Tri-Cities, says, "I take great pride in what my father (Lewis Bart lett) began and will proudly carry that torch till it is time to pass it on to the next generations. "

Peter Blair, a fine men's clothing store since 1993, gets its playful name from founder Dick Fowlkes' two godchildren, Peter Sisk and Blair Northern.

A fourth generation is pedaling Agee's Bicycles toward its 100th year. It began in 1910 as West End Bicycles in Byrd Park. It now has three stores in the area and sells bikes that range in price from $200 to $8,000.

The Moehling family runs Ashley Furniture here with three area stores. Along with Jack Sr., Jack Jr. and his brothers Jeffrey and Eric grew up working in furniture factories in North Carolina and now, combined, have more than 100 years of experience.

Virginia Wayside Furniture has been family-owned (W.B. Childress, founder and president, operates "Richmond's favorite fine furniture and interior design center" with Robin and Maury Childress) since 1964.

• Local businesses are proud of their employees:

We Think in Ink, a "creative solutions in print" company based in Ashland for more than 20 years, says: "Family-owned and full of energetic happy employees. We Think in Ink is fun to do business with."

• Local business know their customers:

Vogue Flowers and Gifts sorts gifts by price ranges as it specializes in European design of flowers. (Its Web site recalls the specific day of Vogue's beginnings: March 15, 1985. Next year marks the big 2-5.)

A Twitter message on Aug. 24 from Jean-Jacque Bakery-Cafe in Carytown beckoned one and all to consume "a killer breakfast quiche -- sausage, cheddar, and eggs (of course!!) Delicious!"

Capri Jewelers, serving Richmond for more than 20 years, was founded by Christopher DeCapri and carries a tag line: "We deal with people at the best times of their lives."

Pleasants Hardware, founded in 1915, specializes "in something hard to find today -- good advice. . . . When you tell us your 'whatchacallit' is not working right, we'll know just what you're talking about and tell you how to fix it."

• Local business are distinct:

Only in Richmond can you find a clothier like Franco's, which also can book you a room or suite in a bed and breakfast in the heart of Tuscany. "A family home lovingly restored to its turn of the century elegance and transformed into exquisite B&B accommodation . . . " is the description for Franco's Friendly Villa. Also noted by Franco Ambrogi, who made his first suit at age 11: The Lakeside Avenue headquarters store has a "marble-floored rotunda modeled loosely after the Galleria in Milan, Italy."

• Local business are here to help you:

The Web site of Christian-Lorraine takes you through the process of fixing a rug: basic repair, overcasting, selvedge, blindstitch, reweaving, and reknotting.

Green Top Hunting and Fishing, in business more than 60 years here, proclaims: "We cherish the relationships we create in our Central Virginia store."

Crumpton Tire & Auto proclaims: "Whatever your auto repair needs are, we can handle it." Its Web home page also has a "current weather conditions" link to AccuWeather.com just in case.

The House of Carpet's Web site lists a glossary of terms, ranging from "Abrasive Wear" to "Zippering." A special shout-out to House of Carpet for celebrating 50 years.

• Local businesses are loaded with talent:

At Custom Kitchen ("a Richmond tradition since 1957"), four designers have served as presidents of the Virginia National Kitchen and Bath Association Chapter.

• Local businesses can be folksy:

Central Virginia Bank states: "We want our customers to share their dreams with us" -- opening a business, owning a new home or car, saving for college, or paying for "a much-needed vacation."

Ball Office Products admits it's a fairly new company with old-fashioned principles and values. "At Ball, we just don't take orders. We build relationships."

• Our businesses put their money where their mouth is:

"We live by this statement: It's right, it's ready, or it's free," Puritan Cleaners' Gary Glover says.

Owner Darrel Neilson has his picture on the Tuffy Auto Service Centers' Web site and this statement: "I personally guarantee your satisfaction!" The site also has a nifty checklist of what do for your car weekly, monthly, and every two months.

• Local businesses are creative:

La Difference has reinvented itself several times, starting in Charlottesville and reorienting itself in Richmond, where it symbolized a downtown rebirth by converting the discarded Watkins Cottrell building -- full of pigeon guano and broken floorboards -- into a cool furniture mecca. Named for the Haitian motto Vive La Difference!, founder Andy Thornton also notes in the company's history that his partner, the aforementioned Sarah Paxton, has a degree from the University of Virginia, where she studied Ancient Greece. "That's just the sort of degree that would prepare her perfectly for the home furnishings business."

World of Mirth, which sells toys for kids of all ages, describes itself as a place "where Pee Wee's Playhouse meets Dr. Seuss."

London Uniform's logo uses a pink hanger to give it a stylish hook.

• Local businesses love mascots:

Village Bank has a golden retriever named -- what else -- Banks. "Perfect mix of loyalty, enthusiasm, and good work ethic."

Woodfin's omnipresent German Shepherd actually does the talking on its Web site, introducing a cast of humans who describe the company's expertise in heating oil and other residential heating and cooling systems.

The Floor Trader is "named after the mysterious 'Floor Trader,' who has a reputation for finding the best deals on carpets and floors and passing those savings directly on to you." The company's Web site also lists its seven "secrets."

Jim Jeter's Carpet Outlets is known by the "Carpet Man" character who reminds us that "over 75 percent of our customers are repeats or referrals."

• Local businesses give back:

There are many outstanding examples. Among them:

Puritan's community programs include Coats for Kids, which since 1988 has collected more than 250,000 coats, and a Pledge of Allegiance initiative to promote pride in the American flag.

Cobb Technologies states that its contributions to "philanthropies exceeded hundreds of thousands of dollars in cash and equipment to a wide variety of local organizations throughout Virginia."

Ben Franklin Crafts and Frames, whose six stores include the original location at 8524 Patterson Ave. that opened in 1956, supports local artists with its "Opitque," which allows their artwork to be sold in the stores.

Midas Richmond, with five shops in the region, operates a "Midas Cares Community Involvement" program that counts the Central Virginia Foodbank among the groups it helps.

• Our businesses are winners:

The Whitlock Group, which sells broadcast and presentation solutions, displays more than three screens of awards and accolades on its Web site.

The Lakeside Farmers' Market, open Wednesdays and Saturdays from May to November, is the "first true farmers' market that operates under a provisional use permit granted by the Henrico County Board of Supervisors." You'll find the market in the parking lot between Lakeside Towne Center and CVS.

Fin & Feathers Pet Centers Inc. was started by Melvin Major in Lakeside 50 years ago -- Happy anniversary! -- and now is the "oldest locally owned pet center in Richmond." Don't forget the "gourmet bakery-style" dog cookies.

• Our businesses are pioneers.

Owner Michelle Neilson is the inspiration behind the Ms. Tuffy Auto Care Center near the Chesterfield Towne Center that offers women a "trustworthy and knowledgeable place where they can take their vehicles for service while enjoying a luxurious and relaxing atmosphere." In other words: "Complete automotive service and repair with the toilet seat down."

The Merle Norman cosmetic studios were started in the 1930s "when an ambitious young women named Merle Nethercutt Norman began sharing skin care products of her own creation with family and friends. . . . Decades before working women were the norm, Merle Norman gave hundreds of women the opportunity to achieve success by owning and opening their own studios." One is in Willow Lawn Plaza.

• Our businesses can have humble beginnings:

Dave Fratkin and David Gallagher started Dominion Payroll Services in a garage in 2002. It now has an estimated 600 clients.

Kelleher began as a heating oil business in 1968 in a one-room office on the Boulevard. The third generation of Kellehers now also offers air-conditioning, heating, plumbing, and electrician services.

Strange's was started in the early 1930s by Gideon A. Strange, a U.S. Postal employee who sold flowers and plants raised in his yard at 3223 Dill Ave. William J. Gouldin Sr. and William F. Kidd bought the business in 1947 when Strange died but kept their jobs as RF&P engineers. They were looking to "make use of their spare time and get ahead."

In 1953, Jack and Gloria Weiner of Saxon Shoes "opened their tiny shoe shop with nothing more than a few dollars and a dream." Today, Saxon can boast that it is the largest full-service store in Virginia, selling 200 well-known brand names.

Raul Canto, the owner of Nacho Mama's in Carytown, sold everything he had and moved to Richmond with only two suitcases. He picked a spot in 1996 where three restaurants had failed. Today, Nacho Mama's is often packed and operates a second location in Mechanicsville.

In 1990, Patrick Williams and Nancy McAlexander opened a "tiny, but unique, fabric and wallpaper store." Today, home furnishings retailer Williams and Sherrill sells and designs out of a 25,000-square-foot location in the Huguenot Village Shopping Center.

Frances Kahn opened in 1936 in Danville during the Great Depression, occupying "one half of the downstairs of a two-story building in the center of downtown." In its third generation of family ownership, the company's River Road store in Richmond is joined by Frances Kahn locations in Roanoke and Virginia Beach.

James River Bus Lines started in 1928 with one bus that would bring passengers from rural Virginia to Richmond for daily shopping. Today, the Richmond-based company has more than 80 vehicles, a 6,000-square-foot office, and a 10,500-square-foot garage.

• Local businesses are in tune with the economic realities: Richmond Piano spins its own stimulus program. "On the heels of the highly successful government plan, Richmond Piano has initiated their own version of Cash for Clunkers. Our hope is to revitalize the economy while at the same time get all of those old, inefficient, and unplayed instruments out of basements and garages around the area. This is a once in a lifetime opportunity."

And that's a good place to end, with this answer by the local jeweler whose name graces his business. When asked earlier this year by an industry online publication what President Obama should do to stimulate the economy, Jack Kreuter replied:

"Buy something in my store."

Better yet, Mr. President: Buy from them all.

Tom Silvestri is president and publisher of the Richmond Times-Dispatch. He can be reached at (804) 649-6121 or at .