As many of us know, downtown Biddeford has been struggling with all the road construction over the past two to three months or so. Saco has had its lumps as well, I understand, but they seem largely over. Although I don’t think we’re required to own a retail store to understand how adversely they have been impacted, having owned one, I have an acute sense of it.
Imagine what it would be like to have your paycheck reduced by 60, 70 or 80 percent for months. It would be financially devastating and extremely stressful emotionally. And it would be understandable for someone, the owner of one of these businesses, to be a bit cranky and even lash out at some undeserving person.
That is why I was so pleasantly surprised when I stopped in to Dupuis Hardware the other day to discuss our upcoming special section called Fall Home Improvement, which will be published on Sept. 26. (I think it is important for the publisher of a local newspaper like ours to be as connected to the community as possible, including the business community, so I work with a few business owners on their advertising needs).
It was difficult to get there. The road was closed. The construction detoured all the traffic, and I had to kind of figure out for myself a back way (I could have just turned on the GPS, but I didn’t think of it).
John Dupuis was helping a customer over the phone. When he finished the call, he pleasantly asked me what he could do for me. I introduced myself and started to talk about the section. He was a perfect gentleman. He was clearly stressed about how much business he was losing from the road closing, but he didn’t take it out on me.
The folks who own local businesses in our community are our friends and neighbors. We may even be related to some of them. They are part of our community, and we need for their businesses to be strong and vital. They are an essential part of the culture that makes our towns and cities appealing to us and to visitors. In my experience, they offer quality products and excellent customer service.
So may I make an appeal? Please support these folks who are struggling. Make the extra effort to get to their businesses and make purchases. We need them as much as they need us.
Thanks for reading and have a wicked remarkable week!
— Bruce M. Hardina is the publisher of the Journal Tribune, a business and marketing consultant, singer/songwriter, philosopher, student of life and the human experience, columnist, entrepreneur, loving father, husband, son, brother, neighbor and friend. To comment on his musings, email bhardina@journaltribune.com or mail a note to Journal Tribune, Attn: Bruce Hardina, 457 Alfred St., Biddeford, ME 04005.
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