Publisher’s Perspective

By Tim Douglass, Publisher of the Pope County Tribune

Small Business Saturday was originally intended to boost the Main Street recovery following the Great Recession (2008-2009).  And we know that small, independently-owned businesses continue to face significant economic headwinds.

Now, businesses are facing the aftermath the Great Pandemic, a health crisis that brought closures, restrictions and  staffing headaches for small business.  Expectations from employees and customers has changed, and shoppers can buy almost anything online if that is their desire.

What was once the Sears catalog experience, placing an order and having your items delivered to your door is now the Amazon experience – it’s the same idea with a much faster result. In 10 years, something else will likely replace Amazon’s popularity. What’s next?

None of us knows the future, but those of us living in small towns would like to believe that our independent businesses will adapt and be here in that future.

Making that belief come true is up to all of us.

Small businesses are the backbone of the Greater Minnesota economy, and what’s become known as “Small Business Saturday” provides an opportunity for them to showcase their products and services to a wider audience.

But one day isn’t enough.

It should be a mindset versus a once-a-year event. Shopping our locally-owned businesses should be an everyday, every week activity.  If it is, our local economy will remain vibrant into the future.

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Barsness Park volunteers, including the Buckthorn Brigade got together last Tuesday at The Village for an evening of fun, food and live music.  A few shared words of appreciation to the more than 80 volunteers and park enthusiasts who showed up.  Margaret Pederson, our 102-year-old community leader, spoke some inspiring words and reminded everyone “to be kind.”

The amount of work that has been done to improve Barsness Park in Glenwood over the past few years is remarkable.  It wouldn’t have been possible without a long list of dedicated volunteers.  Thank you.