Last weekend, Dave and I were in Manhattan with a group of friends from different East Coast states. As we sat in a restaurant discussing the bakery and the economy, I challenged these friends to spend 20% of their retail dollars at independently owned businesses.

To say I’ve learned a lot over the last 15 months of owning the bakery would be a gross understatement. One of the things I’ve learned is that small businesses really do struggle. The disadvantages they suffer from are varied and numerous; from higher wholesale prices and less favorable lease agreements to bargain pricing at chain stores and corporate name recognition. While I hope that someday my grandchildren will have the opportunity of running Flour Girls & Dough Boys, I fully understand why most independent restaurants never hit their first anniversary. Our family now makes a concerted effort to shop with the ‘little guys’ and avoid spending all our money at large corporate chains.

Many years in New England left me with a sincere appreciation for “Main Street, USA”. I spent ten years in Holliston, Massachusetts. I lived on Central Street, four blocks from the heart of ‘downtown’. I bought paint at Holliston Hardware, pizza at Basil’s and Table Top. I bought birthday gifts and craft supplies at Fiske’s General Store, and deli meats and local bread at Superette. I bought produce at a farm stand that operated about 10 months of the year just around the corner. Sure, it sometimes cost a little more, but I didn’t have to drive the SUV through three towns to do my shopping, I ran into friends, and I felt good about supporting my neighbors. I could plan and prepare a nice dinner without leaving town, although we did not have a Wal-Mart, or even an Albertsons. When I moved here four years ago I missed that small town association, and was inspired to re-create a part of that with Flour Girls & Dough Boys.

American Fork ‘has it all’ so to speak. Wal-Mart, Target, Best Buy, Chili’s, Café Rio, Paradise Bakery, and pretty much everything else you can imagine exist in one convenient location. But if you travel east just a few blocks on Main Street, you come to a wonderland of amazing shops. You can buy clothing, flowers, jewelry, antiques and food from independently owned shops with owners who are our neighbors and friends.

Because of this, when I was approached by the ‘Saving Main Street’ team, I was proud to participate. Small independently owned businesses need to stay alive and well to maintain the health and well-being of not only the economy but the hearts and souls of all of us. Please join us on February 28th as we celebrate’ Main Street’ at Flour Girls & Dough Boys, and consider taking the challenge I issued to my friends and myself, and spend a portion of your retail dollars at independently owned businesses.