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- Tuesday, February 2, 2010 - 2:43pm
EDITORIAL: Keep the money in Hutch
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If you want to keep McLeod County’s economic strong over the holidays, why not buy a case of 3M Blue Painters Tape and repaint your home’s interior?
Or how about buying several new computers for your home and office, making sure to ask the salesperson that your new computers’ disk drives contain suspension assemblies made at Hutchinson Technology Inc.?
Those ideas might be a little radical, but they do point out the importance of buying local. Keeping your money in Hutchinson this holiday season will go a long way toward improving the local economy.
Instead of planning a shopping trip to the Cities or St. Cloud on Friday, how about standing in line with the crowd outside JC Penney at 4 a.m.? And then follow that up with visits to other local stores, especially the independently owned shops downtown.
Each $1 spent with a local, independent business keeps 68 cents at home and circulating in the Minnesota economy. Buying Minnesotan-made products also helps. A 2007 study found that if Minnesotans spent 25 percent of their holiday shopping on budget on Minnesota-made products, our state economy would be infused with an additional $2 billion.
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If you don’t find what you want while shopping in Hutchinson, consider purchasing a gift certificate at a local store. And don’t forget about Hutch Bucks, which can be used at almost any local store. They’re available at Hutchinson Area Chamber of Commerce, Convention and Visitors Bureau.
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Submitted by Cindy Novak Ardolf on February 3, 2010 - 11:47am.» Read similar stories filed under:
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That would be all fine and...
Back to page topThat would be all fine and dandy if Hutchinson had the same kind of stores that St. Cloud and the Cities have. It's pretty hard to find any good clothes for college age boys in this town. Yet if I drive the short distance to St. Cloud, I have a tons of choices. Also, if you have a hunter, fisher, or outdoors person to shop for...where in this town would you do that? Sure, Wal-Mart has some things, but in St. Cloud, I have stores that specialize in that area. Sorry, but for me I will be heading into larger towns and getting my shopping done all all at once.
Have you tried Runnings? If...
Back to page topHave you tried Runnings? If you've been in there, you couldn't miss the large department of outdoors clothing and gear.
So what comes first, you shopping in Hutchinson to spur a company to expand its offerings here or another company to see that dollars are being spent here; or a company/individual investing hundreds of thousands of dollars up front to open a store in the hope that you'll change your habits and shop here if they try to cater to you? I'm not sure which it is.
National chains look at dollars spent in a community and its ability to pull in other dollars from surrounding areas. When they see dollars flowing out of a community, they are less likely to invest there, but seek out where those dollars are going to invest there.
I would hope that Hutchinson doesn't become a supersized Stewart, Buffalo Lake, Cosmos or Hector, where there is no longer retail of almost any kind — most don't even have grocery stores — because their residents come to Hutch to shop. If retail leaves Hutchinson, residents of those towns will join us in making those longer drives a decade or two in the future when $4-per-gallon gas will look like the good ole days. We are paying $2.50 per gallon now in a recession. What will it be when the world's economy gets chugging again?
(Terry Davis is a Hutchinson Leader staff writer. E-mail him at davis@hutchinsonleader.com.)
Runnings does have outdoors...
Back to page topRunnings does have outdoors stuff, but not like Gander Mountain, Scheels, and Cabela's. There is nothing anyone can say to make me do all of my shopping here in Hutchinson - sorry. I do my grocery shopping here, my everyday shopping needs here, and most of my craft shopping here (although it's getting hard to find good craft supplies in town. I buy my gas here, if we go out to eat, it's done here in town most of the time. So I think I do my fair share of helping the stores in Hutchinson. But when it comes to Christmas and special gifts....sorry, Hutchinson stores just doesn't have what I'm looking for.
Fact: Chacha, Janedoe,...
Back to page topFact: Chacha, Janedoe, timmies and dragonflylady enjoy shopping out of town. Therefore, Chacha, Janedoe, timmies and dragonflylady currently like paying a higher tax rate in St. Cloud or Mankato. Prediction: Chacha, Janedoe, timmies and dragonflylady will be the first to complain when Hutchinson leaders pursue an additional sales tax to support local projects. Help us out Terry, what taxes are the likes of Chacha, doe, lil' timmie and the fly currently paying for the privelege to shop in St. Cloud or Mankato?
jolly, give me a break....
Back to page topjolly, give me a break. You've NEVER shopped anywhere other than Hutchinson??? And just so you know, I've never complained about any local projects before, why would I start now?
Stop! Think! Buy Local!...
Back to page topStop! Think! Buy Local! If you are going to shop and spend, spend your money in the Hutchinson area with the businesses that help support your community.
Many of us, as a typical consumer, may not understand or take the time to think about how our spending decisions and actions affect our local economy, our local businesses and our community. According to the Minnesota Chamber of Commerce, 42% of the local and state tax burden in Minnesota is paid by businesses. That is a hefty tax burden they carry for us and they deserve our support.
When these businesses struggle or disappear from the community landscape because they are not supported locally, we lose a valuable tax base. When you purchase on-line or travel to another community to spend, you deposit your dollars in someone else’s pockets, in someone else’s business, helping someone else’s economy in someone else’s community. When you see buisnesses closing and empty buildings around our community, remember that your taxes just went up because we just lost a valuable property tax payer and employer.
Recently, I received figures from the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) stating there is 873 million dollars being spent outside McLeod County by its residents, governments, non-profits and other institutions. Imagine if only 10 % of that, 87 million, was spent locally and how that would affect our local economy. Private businesses are spending over 2 billion outside the county. Imagine if we could recover just 5% of that, or 100 million dollars!
I am aware there are some things you are not able to purchase in this area. I am also aware that many people are traveling outside Hutchinson in an effort to get something which is readily available here.
What about convenience? It’s much more convenient to purchase it in Hutchinson than to travel elsewhere. In addition, if you have a problem with a product, a question about a product or need to return something, it is much easier when you can do it locally. Your purchase just became more expensive to have to drive to another community to exchange or return something.
I'm glad to hear daily shopping is done here, but the holidays are when our retailers need you the most. Especially coming out of this economy over the past 18 months. I've lived here for 15 years, raised four children and have rarely had to go outside Hutchinson to shop.
Staying local is a mind set, it's knowing what's available here and where to find it. As far as teenagers, there is Glik's, JC Penney, Runnings, Target, Wal Mart, Lillians, Downtown Clothing and others in the Mall. Have you walked through the Hutchinson Mall lately? Sporting goods? Let's try the Hutch Sports Shop, Runnings, Outdoor Motion, Wal-Mart and Target. Unless you have spcialized needs, it's here!
Stop! Think! Buy Local and support your community!
bcorby, I am glad that you...
Back to page topbcorby, I am glad that you are able to find your christmas gifts here in town - I can't. Does Hutchinson have Hollisters, Old Navy, American Eagle, The Buckle, etc, etc, etc?...no they don't. Those are the clothes that my children wear. I'm not going to waste my time buying them something in Hutchinson, that they are going to end up returning, and then taking that money and spending it in St. Cloud anyways. Yes, Hutchinson has places that sells sporting goods. However, I haven't seen Hutch Sports Shop, Outdoor Motion, or Target carry fishing or Hunting gear - that is what my family enjoys. Yes, I could go to Runnings and see if they have what I'm looking for there, and I might do that, but I might not - my choice. I have lived here for 41 years - it's the only town I've ever lived in and I have raised 2 children, and I do have to travel to other areas to do some of my shopping. Do I do it often?...no, not often just for Christmas gifts and certain clothes and I guess I really don't feel bad for doing that.
I have a college age son....
Back to page topI have a college age son. He has lived in clothing purchased in Hutch for the last 19 years. My husband is an avid fisherman, who fishes in many state wide tournaments. He's never had a problem finding what he needs in town. Is there some unknown special clothing or spectacular new fishing items that we don't know about?
Question: Is there some...
Back to page topQuestion: Is there some unknown special clothing or spectacular new fishing items that we don't know about?
Answer: Yep
What a great idea. But where...
Back to page topWhat a great idea. But where are we suppose to shop in this town. I will do the same drive 1 hour and buy everything that I need for my family for christmas.
Our family, too, will be...
Back to page topOur family, too, will be shopping elsewhere on Friday. We are headed to Mankato since there is a wide variety of stores, shopping malls, etc. in that City. We can't find any clothing for our family in the Hutchinson JC Penney Store; however, the Mankato store is full of styles, sizes, etc. for our entire family. Also, there is a huge Michael's store, Hobby Lobby store , and JoAnn Fabric's store down there, not to mention several music stores. Sorry, Hutchinson merchants, you will have to "kick it up a notch" to keep the shoppers here!!!!
Thanks for the comments....
Back to page topThanks for the comments. Yesterday at the Leader, we attempted to ask our readers where they shop on Black Friday if they shop on that day. Unfortunately, we ran into a glitch with our polling service and we hope to get that Reader Poll Question up as soon as possible.
As for me, I plan to do as much of my holiday shopping in town as possible. I enjoy trying to find the items on my list here in town. What I can't find I'll buy in another community, if necessary.
But I agree with Terry. I prefer to keep as much of my money in Hutchinson as possible. And I don't fret if I can't buy it all in one shopping excursion.
(Doug Hanneman is editor of the Hutchinson Leader. He may be reached at hanneman@hutchinsonleader.com)
I hope you get the poll to...
Back to page topI hope you get the poll to work as it would be interesting to see where others are planning to do their Holiday shopping. I don't fret either if I don't get all of my shopping done in 1 day...but it sure is nice when I do, that way I can enjoy more of the things I like doing during the Holidays such as baking and decorating.
BUT the stores that are here...
Back to page topBUT the stores that are here in Hutch just do not cut it. Yes runnings has a sporting goods dept if you want to call it that. JC Penny is a joke they have just a few items. Why don't we stop and think what the holiday's are really about. Spending time with family!!! Not seeing what stores we can keep in Hutch. We are a city of 13,000 people maybe.... Plus black friday is a joke. The stores only sell the really low quality items for cheap to draw people in. Instead of going shopping why don't we go visit people in our community that spend the holiday's alone and bring them cookies or something and quit thinking of ourselves...
I am just hoping no one...
Back to page topI am just hoping no one shops any where ON Thanksgiving, and I have to say I will think twice before I shop at any place open "All day" on Thanksgiving, when I do begin my Christmas shopping. If I remember my ads correctly, that leaves out two major retailers in Hutchinson.
Jolly, I am more than happy...
Back to page topJolly, I am more than happy to pay the 7.2% sales tax through out the year in Maple Grove at Costco because they have what I want. The funny part is you say to support the stores in Hutchinson. What stores are actually local Menards,Runnings,JC Penny,Walmart,Target???None of them are. I do not blackfriday shop to begin with. But the only local stores I shop at are True Value because it is locally owned and Dave is awesome. And of course some of the other ones if I need something right now. Put a local sales tax on and if it goes to a good cause it would not bother me..
No offense, Chacha, but Dave...
Back to page topNo offense, Chacha, but Dave needs your support more often than once in the past five years... that's how long it's been since it was True Value. Ace is the Place, man. By the way, good call on the "local" stores you listed.
Doug and Terry, Both of you...
Back to page topDoug and Terry,
Both of you advocate buying local, but today when I opened the Leader website, I'm met with a pop up ad promoting the partnership that the Leader and Amazon.com have formed for online Christmas shopping.
What kind of Madoffish, hypocritical, ponzi scheme are you working on now????????
BenThereLearned, Thanks for...
Back to page topBenThereLearned,
Thanks for bringing that to our attention. It's no longer on the site.
(Doug Hanneman is editor of the Hutchinson Leader. He may be reached at hanneman@hutchinsonleader.com)
Score a point for...
Back to page topScore a point for BenThereLearned...
Doug, I appreciate the...
Back to page topDoug,
I appreciate the reply, tell me, however, how you can talk the talk, but not walk the walk?
Just because it is "no longer on the site" doesn't change the fact that you let your profit margin dominate your thought process. This is what you said yesterday....
"As for me, I plan to do as much of my holiday shopping in town as possible. I enjoy trying to find the items on my list here in town. What I can't find I'll buy in another community, if necessary."
..and yet today, your business is promoting taking holiday shopping dollars away from the local merchants. I beleive that Bill Corby, and ALL of the merchants in Hutchinson are owed an apology from you!
BenThere, a national ad ran...
Back to page topBenThere, a national ad ran on the site for a few minutes this morning. Doug and I saw it for the first time today, and removed it promptly, which will result in lost revenue. We believe that is walking the walk.
Matt McMillan is publisher of the Leader and can be reached at (320)234-4143.
Kudos to the Leader, a local...
Back to page topKudos to the Leader, a local business, that reacted swiftly to concerns of it's customers! Matt, your actions have earned the Leader a renewing of my subscription and a commitment from me to increase my advertising dollars spent with the Leader(good for your business and mine!). Walking the walk can and should result in increased revenue after all. Happy Thanksgiving!
see you at the cash register,
gov.
Do you posters really need...
Back to page topDo you posters really need it explained that a chain store in Hutchinson still employees Hutchinson people, has a Hutchinson franchise owner, pays local taxes, attracts people to town from smaller towns? In town is better for Hutchinson, even a chain store that in not "locally" owned, than out of town shopping. We need stores in town to be successful for the good of the entire town. Everyone who shops in town helps the town stay healthy.
Let's add another log to the...
Back to page topLet's add another log to the fire - now, how many of your children after attending college return to the Hutchinson area to work? My kids when returning to Hutchinson during a college break couldn't wait to go back to college after about a day here in Hutchinson. There is nothing here to entice young single people to settle back here. There are no jobs (high paying or otherwise), little shopping opportunities especially for the girls, and there is definitely nothing available for the young single men other than the bar scene (and we all know what trouble that can lead to). Again, I suggest that we look at our Mall (my kids often tell me that our Mall is about the size of a single wing at other Malls around the state) and our downtown area. There really is nothing there. So, if you want folks to stay in town to buy their Christmas gifts, etc. here you had better provide a store to which they can buy those gifts at. Shoppers in today's economy are fussy and won't settle to buy something just to improve the local economy!! They want choices!!! P. S. I like shopping at Ace Hardware. The staff people are so friendly and so helpful, and if they don't have something in stock, they have always been able to get it for our family!!
Ok Jolly I put the wrong...
Back to page topOk Jolly I put the wrong store my fault. Funny part is I shop there everytime I can over Menards. I have bought all my Stihl products from there and actually really enjoy shopping at ACE. And for the local stores that I did not list because for my needs there are not any I shop at. Why would I purchase a bike in Hutch when I can drive 40 miles and I purchased it for almost $150 less than at outdoor motion. I guess it is all in what you want and personal choice. Now resturants is another story. I like Zellas but I think we need a dinner sitdown resturant that is not as expensive. I find it funny the leader wants people to shop and use services in Hutchinson But as I am typing there is a Meeker Memorial Hospital AD on the page. If you want people to usr just Hutchinson services put just Hutchinson AD's on the website and in the printed news paper
I am personally not upset by...
Back to page topI am personally not upset by the Leader having an ad from an out of town place. I do the majority (99%) of my shopping and eating in Hutch, and if I happen to stray from town, at least I know that I am supporting another Minnesota city that also needs the income. But really, who wants to waste the gas money and the travel time it takes to shop out of town. And are some people really that materialistic that they care that their daughters are not wearing the newest Abercrombie clothing? Try teaching your children that labels are not everything, and shopping means very little, and the one who dies with the most toys DOES NOT win.
The stores here and every...
Back to page topThe stores here and every year need to be realistic. My husband and daughter are avid bow hunters. I can not find what they need for their bows here. Menards are ok runnings is a complete joke. My husband and daughter even told me not to bother with them.JC Penney's does not either of my children's sizes in everthing. I can go buy that sweater she likes so much in saint cloud for less than what they charge. walmart with all they have been dealing with from arkansas has started to fail. I love yankee candles,but if I am not going to spend 30.00 on one for me,there is no way I will for someone else. and that is on sale.These smaller stores charge and arm and leg andthen put their non saleable itemns on sale and what we want is tops 5% off. I once worked at a small store years ago. the popular itemns were 5-10% off, but what was not popular was either half off to seventy five percent off.The owner said it either doing that or pay for returning it.
So yes we will shop for what we wan untill we have no choice but head out of town.
The StarTribune was doing a...
Back to page topThe StarTribune was doing a story on how the shopping season is up from last year. And so on the front page there was a resident from Hutch doing there shopping on the Nicollet Mall. So much for keeping the money in Hutch...It just shows there is no way to do all of your Christmas shopping in Hutchinson. I am not even able to get my stocking stuffers in Hutch let alone Christmas gifts. Oh well atleast we have the most hair salons per square mile in the world, and 2 purse shops. lol
What would you like to find...
Back to page topWhat would you like to find here that is not available? It is helpful to know what new or existing stores could add to meet the needs of local consumers. What would you like to find locally that is not available for stocking stuffers or other items?
We did what we could in town...
Back to page topWe did what we could in town but had to look for affordable but decent teen clothes, art supplies, and books out of town. I asked and asked but most stores told me I would have to go out of town and they were right. At least I know I tried!
Matt, A good Book store,Bed...
Back to page topMatt, A good Book store,Bed Bath and Beyond,Home Depot,North Face store,A good shoe store,A toy store and I could go on and on...I understand these stores will not come to Hutch because this area could not ever support them. I did what I could in Hutch but was not much at all. I purchased a few items from Ace Hardware and that is it.
Well Chacha, it's simple...
Back to page topWell Chacha, it's simple economics that keeps these stores away. If Hutchinson already supports them by driving to the metro or St Cloud then why should they build in Hutch? They add building costs, overhead, wage expense, etc and all they gain would be a few sales from the small communities around Hutch. Would the sales of these new stores building in Hutch justify the extra overhead...no way. It's cheaper for them to have you drive to their existing stores than for them to build one closer to you. Best Buy took a risk by adding the Hutch store, we'll see how that works for them. It's a little different for Wal-Mart and Target but even Target does not saturate a market in outlying areas. Wal-Mart is about the only store to do that successfully. That's all part of the give and take of living in a small community.
That is true and if you read...
Back to page topThat is true and if you read my posts I acknowledge that. But I was responding to why people that do not want to do there Christmas Shopping at Walmart or Target do not have any options in Hutch. The Hutch mall except for Runnings is a waste of space. I do alot of my Shopping at Costco in Maple Grove. It is a one stop shop. I can even get a case of beer there for $13.99
Finding things in this town...
Back to page topFinding things in this town is hard. I found a few things here for my family but not much. I will be going to saint cloud. My daughter wants this one book and niether target,wal mart or the other stores here carry it. I had to call borders and order it there.
The stores here also do not carry my daughter clothes sizes for pants. she is a petite thing. My daughter told me pennys does not carry her size and even if it did she would not want it from there because they charge too much and they do not last long. My special needs son who needs some things for him are not carried here, they are how ever in saint cloud and wilmar. My husband is the only one whom I could shop for here to a point.
Stores could move in here, the problem is having to have high over done prices. If you want people to move in here, then show they can handle it here. This town has to make it's self opened.
I've always been a firm...
Back to page topI've always been a firm believer in shopping locally as much as possible. We shop in our own little town as much as we can. It is just as close for us to go to the Cities as Hutch, but we always go to Hutch because we HATE crowds and traffic. I can't think of one time we haven't found what we need, or a good alternative, at a good enough price. We all like to travel and see other towns & stores at some time, which is fine. I guess we all shop at different levels, but I have never felt the need to parade in all the latest designer labels. I think it was Calvin Klein who said he felt a lot more comfortable in Levi's than CK. As for the criticisms of the Hutch Leader, many say that better retail stores will encourage money from surrounding towns to come to Hutch (and money from Hutch to stay there). But when the Leader performs well enough to get ads (customers/money) from surrounding markets to come to Hutch, it is criticized. Just think first about shopping local as much as possible and the rest will sort itself out. It is convenient and there is lots to choose from for a town of 13,000.