On Successful Business

This week's Times includes our monthly business sec- tion. Often the businesses we feature there are new, or they are businesses in transition - hopefully a positive transition.

This week we introduce Mike and Ann Spring, who re- cently purchased Skye Book and Brew in Dayton and are reopening it as Chief Spring's Fire and Iron Brew Pub.

The Times is also preparing to publish our annual Spring- Summer Visitor's Guide. (We publish an annual Fall-Winter Visitor's Guide as well. So, for those who are counting, that makes our Visitor's Guide actually a "semi-annual" publica- tion.)

Our goal is to make the guide useful for visitors as they ar- rive in the Touchet Valley and also to help attract new tourists to the area. Spring and summer are on the way, which means special events will be happening and visitors will be arriving to enjoy them. And local businesses will be eager to attract new customers, even during non-event times.

Our upcoming VG will feature local lodging establish- ments, including not only the new Best Western Hotel in Dayton but also the wonderful smaller hotels and B&Bs in our area. All of the new rooms being added should be a boon to the local economy, especially on crowded event weekends.

As we've researched and written about local businesses, three important elements that make strong, healthy and suc- cessful businesses in small towns have become obvious.

Tourism Promotion

One important part of making our local business com- munity successful is establishing a strong base of visitors. Lodging establishments especially rely on visitors for their success. Many other businesses as well - from restaurants to gift shops to even hardware stores and grocery stores - rely on tourist shoppers for a significant part of their income. The promotions that the Chamber of Commerce and other local groups do, and the events our local towns put on, are essential in maintaining healthy businesses.

Shopping Locally

A second, complimentary and equally important element of business success, is establishing a strong local base of cus- tomers. The Times has always strongly advocated shopping locally. Promoting tourism is vital, but most hometown busi- nesses can't make it on tourists alone. Even tourist-oriented businesses (with the possible exception of lodging places) rely on local shoppers to help make ends meet. And promo- tions to local residents are very important.

Cater to Customers

But getting customers to the sidewalk in front of our busi- nesses is only half the battle. Businesses must take responsi- bility to offer products and services that both local customers and visitors want at a price that they find attractive. And they have to give them a great shopping experience.

We live in a free market economy. Costco and Walmart aren't going away. Nor are Las Vegas and Levenworth. And neither, for that matter, is Amazon.

While we believe local residents should shop locally whenever possible, ultimately it's their choice. Same goes for visitors. Local businesses have to earn the business they get, and they need to ask themselves some important questions:

Are you giving good service? Are your hours convenient? Is your bathroom clean? Is your merchandise well stocked, attractive and well-lit?

Or are you grumpy and making it obvious you wish you could go home? Are you only open when it's convenient for you? Are your floors dirty and your shelves half-empty?

During our interview, Mike and Ann Spring talked a lot about the things they plan to do to make sure their customers have a great experience in their new business. With their at- titude, we think they'll be a success. We urge other local busi- nesses to think harder about what makes customers choose to do business with them.

Local businesses don't have to have the lowest price or the poshest environment. But customers need to know that they're trying to earn our business.