Supporting small businesses in these tough economic times

Here is a letter I received from a women that I have been talking with, Cheryl Chotiner of That Girl Is...Unique Chic Boutique. The letter is very touching and I hope that everyone will take some time to think about this.

"Certainly during these difficult economic times, your segments that guide viewers to bargains at the big chains or big 'boxes' are helpful to people. But, as a small shop owner, I ask you not to forget the value of encouraging your viewers to support their local businesses.

I own a small beautiful, at this moment struggling, gift store in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The space is intimate, 1000 square feet of show space, with just enough pieces of jewelry, purses, sweaters, scarves, soaps, and other treasures for one to find the perfect gift. I have three long time employees. Perhaps, what is of greatest importance is that most of what I sell is handmade by artists whose stories I know; artists whose stories I can tell to the people who visit the store. The work I sell is personal, meaningful, and supports not only me, my employees, but also the lives of the artists.

As you know when we walk into the big chains and big windowless boxes, we walk into a world that lacks warmth, creativity, and imagination. I urge you to find some way to balance your approach to encouraging people to find those great bargains along with encouraging people to support their local businesses and the essential creativity that we need to survive."