Goodrich-For a host of economic and demographic reasons the landscape of village businesses may look slightly different in the next few weeks.
Tori’s Flowers and Gifts, Custom Stereo and Alarm, and Whole Life Fitness are seeking different avenues as entrepreneurs, a decision says Doug Tetmeyer, president of the Atlas/Goodrich Chamber of Commerce, is not uncommon.
‘Many of the small businesses in the area, people don’t even know they exist,? said Tetmeyer.
Kathy Posio, owner of Tori’s Flowers and Gifts at 8161 S. State Road, largely attributes her store closing to lack of local support.
Posio expressed disappointment in the lack of local support she received, saying one-stop shopping at large chain stores was an element that factored in her store closing. The business will go on in part, as Posio says she will continue to work from her home, providing floral decorations for weddings and other occasions.
Tetmeyer acknowledges the difficulties that accompany having a shop in a small town.
‘It is difficult being a small business in Goodrich,? says Tetmeyer. One obstacle, he said, is Goodrich being what Tetmeyer describes as a ‘bedroom community.?
Tetmeyer is referring to the way in which many of the people who live in the community work elsewhere and conduct their business in those areas because doing so may be more convenient.
However, said Posio, the customers who did turn out in support were much appreciated. ‘There is a good bunch of people in this town,? said Posio.
Becoming a member of the Chamber of Commerce is one approach Tetmeyer suggests for local small businesses to increase community awareness.
The Goodrich/Atlas Chamber of Commerce was established about two years ago with a goal of creating both a support system for local businesses and a means to promote those businesses. Additionally, says Tetmeyer, the chamber offers an opportunity for networking.
Tetmeyer said none of the exiting businesses were members of the chamber.
Assuring a business is not reliant on foot traffic and passersby who happen to be in the area is another suggestion Tetmeyer offered local business owners.
‘You need to be a destination,? said Tetmeyer.
Chris Garman, owner of Custom Stereo and Alarm, 8221 S. State Road, has a different outlook on the customer shortage; High gas prices.
‘Gas price nailed everybody,? said Garman. ‘People don’t need a car stereo, they need gas in their car.?
Garman is relocating his business to Vehicle Accessories in Mundy Township. While Garman says business in Goodrich was adequate, he says he is getting a better deal by joining up with the other business.
Everitt Pipkins, owner of Whole Life Fitness, 10248 Hegel Road, attributes the slow business to a strained economy following Sept. 11.
‘I started off two months before 9-11 and it’s kind of been a downward spiral since I got there,? said Pipkins.
Pipkins said he intends to work as a fitness trainer at Paint Creek Country Club in Lake Orion.
‘It was a good five years,? said Pipkins. ‘I’ve met a lot of really nice people. If I had it to do over again, I probably would.?
Regardless of the reason for their leaving, Tetmeyer said he’s saddened to see the businesses go.
These places ‘have been mainstays in the Goodrich area,? said Tetmeyer.
However, he added, he does not see this as the end of small business in the community.
‘It doesn’t seem like vacancies last very long in the Goodrich area,? said Tetmeyer.
For the success of both future and current small business Tetmeyer has one suggestion for the community.
‘I definitely want to stress that people need to support the local businesses as much as possible,? said Tetmeyer. ‘These people are your friends, they are your neighbors.?
‘You just feel better if you’re supporting the hometown team.?