For Sale

It takes a lot of hard work and dedication to open your own business. There are many businesses that stood the test of time and have hung around for years. It is so sad when you see a business close its doors, for whatever reason. As you drive through the neighborhoods in your community, you might notice some which are no longer there.
It saddens me more when I see many businesses close around the same time; one by one and the strip malls go vacant. Not only does the business owner lose in those circumstances, the community and the land owner lose out as well.
The crash of the housing market took its toll on many communities. It brought about a saddened state for many. People who could afford a home found themselves not being able to no longer. Although the lenders worked with many, there were still many who had to walk away from their homes. This brought about many homes that were foreclosed on. A vibrant community brought to its knees by vacant houses. People in the homes lost because they no longer had homes and could contribute to the community by buying locally, the tax dollars would have helped the community, and if people in the homes were active in the community regarding events and fundraisers, it was a great loss there as well.
When I see something for sale, a home or a business, I think what it was like when it was thriving. When I was growing up there used to be a sticker in the houses in our neighborhood that said, “Neighborhood watch program.” This program came to light in the late 1960’s so that others can watch over neighborhoods and keep people out of harms way. Vacant homes and businesses not only look undesirable, but can lead to future issues as well.
Everything is tied together; homes, businesses, community and people. They all serve each other. If you see a vacant house, there are many programs to get veterans into a home, to get our homeless out of shelters, etc. If you see a vacant business; just think for a moment, what kind of business would thrive in your community. Make some phone calls to the corporate office to see if it might be a fit. Do you have a friend, or neighbor, or maybe yourself, have what it takes to start your own business?
Imagine the thrill of getting the keys to your own brick and mortar store! Imagine hiring people to help you with your work load. Imagine closing on your first home; signing all the documents and then getting the keys handed to you. These are big dreams and a big possibility. Check into programs that can help you get started.
Just as big corporations give incentives to their perspective employees, the same works for the community, sometimes you have to give a little in order to receive something back.
Our businesses and communities are our heartbeat. Once the heartbeat slows down, we have a chance to save it. If we don’t save it, it doesn’t thrive anymore.