Building Community in Big Ways
On a sunny Saturday morning the line at P Delicia’s Bakery & Coffee shop, one of ACCION USA’s clients in Lowell, MA, strung through the brightly colored eat-in bakery. The aroma of fresh baked bread and chocolate cake was accompanied by the hum of Brazilian Portuguese. As I listened to the bustling conversation and familiar greetings from those attending customers, I was left with one word on my mind: community.
While modern technology has enhanced our ability to work and communicate across distance, there is something to be said for that one locale that draws in an area’s regulars and the occasional passer-by. Such locales contribute to building thriving communities, which can be the breeding ground for the development of relationships that are sustaining and give rise to innovation and a healthy civic participation.
In supporting our small businesses, we contribute to building healthy communities in a number of ways:
First, small businesses have the exceptional ability to provide a common interest for several individuals – be that a common space, food, music venue, product; the list goes on. Such spaces can foster the development of long-lasting relationships.
Second, small business owners have demonstrated time and again that they are committed to giving back to their communities. According to an NFIB National Small-Business Poll in 2005, 91 percent of small-business owners provided financial support and volunteer time for charitable organizations (Faris, 2005). These small business owners bring special talents to those organizations they serve!
There is much discussion today around how to get this country on a platform of sustainable economic development. A common approach to local economic development has been focused on attracting outside industry. What about providing support for small businesses? Businesses like P. Delicia not only generate substantial gross income within a community, but often employ at least one other person outside of the owner’s household (Faris 2005).
Not only did I leave P. Delicia with a pleasant taste in my mouth, but with the thought that small business owners are building community in big ways. We should be doing all we can to give them a boost as customers and fellow members of a community.
Survey Results: (Faris, Jack. “Small Businesses and the Community: Their Role and Importance Within a State’s Economy” 2005.)
April 30th, 2009 at 5:46 pm
You made me want to go to P. delicicas. Very well put.
June 6th, 2009 at 5:57 am
Although your article about second income business sounds interesting but i’m not sure if i could agree with you in 100%.