Take the Village Pledge.. Silver Spring
Sunday, December 13, 2009
Think back 18 months. Silver Spring had bottomed out. The road and sidewalks were cracked and vacant storefronts were common. Now the Drive looks awesome, and a flock of new merchants have moved in. -- They need your support, especially in this economy.
Take the Village Spillage Pledge: I (insert your name here) promise to buy some holiday gifts from Merchants on Silver Spring.
Here are some ideas:
I'll bet 1,000 new laptops and cell phones are going to be under trees in Whitefish Bay. Buy them from Mobility, right next to the Fox Bay. Yes, they are a small shop, but they will order and price match just about any item you want, from Best Buy to Amazon. You'll help out a small merchant, and in return, they'll give you some tech support. They carry Verizon phones. You're going to get the same deal there than at any other store. The bonus? These guys will sit down with you and help you figure out your phone.
Got a pet, or need a gift for someone with one? Treat Fido to something from Hounds Around Town.
Gift for a skier, or tennis player? Boom, Les Moise. Naturally, they sell Gift Certificates, so you don't have to know what your snowboarder wants.
Luggage, bags, or travel stuff? Red Cap Luggage.
Does mom knit? Ruhama's Yarn.
How about something from the newest merchant: Oro di Olivia for your Oil and Vinegar guzzling friends. $35 buys you a gift set.
Dad needs a family photo on his desk. Get it framed at the Great Frame Up.
Don't know what to get your kid's teacher or the postman? They like Mexican food. El Guapo's has Gift Certificates.
Your kid wants something from Cavalry Games .. X-Box stuff, RC controlled cars .. rockets. Who wouldn't like a rocket?
Here's a never-fail gift for your wife: Massage gift certificate from Elements.
Then there's Giraffe, Simon Oliver, Winkies, Schwanke-Kasten, Thiet, Fox-Bay Theater, What's Poppin, and 20 other stores.
Seriously people. There are 14,000+ people in Whitefish Bay. Let's guess 40,000 holiday presents. Imagine if we bought half of them on Silver Spring instead of Best Buy (Mobility), Toys R Us (Winkies or Cavalry Games), Zales, Kay, Shaw's Jewelers (Schwanke-Kasten or Thiet.)
Shop local. Really. Please.
Thank You Kevin. The merchants on the street have been working really hard to make the "Real Bay" a better place to live, work and shop.
Tom Dixon
President
Schwanke-Kasten Jewelers
Don't forget Sendik's has gift cards too.... a great way to give a gift for that older family member who might be on a budget or a family where the father is out of work. I know a couple of those in the bay as well.
Spot-on, wfbdoglover, we've funnelled some Sendik's cards through church to families here in WFB who are hurting. It's the right thing to do and helps local business.
Mobilitymke drops off our new computer next week. Oh boy!
Thanks for this wonderful post, Kevin!
Lisa Peterson
Topdog
Hounds Around Town
Thanks for the reminder, Kevin. I ran up there today and found some great presents that I wouldn't have been able to find at a chain store. I appreciated the nudge-- I may not have thought to go without it!