Summary:
Small Business Saturday celebrates the essence of our community.
Supporting small businesses is vital for local economic growth.
Negativity in media can overshadow the hard work of entrepreneurs.
Downtown Fargo features new businesses that enrich our community.
Positivity and collaboration are essential for overcoming challenges.
Celebrating Small Businesses on Small Business Saturday
Today marks Small Business Saturday, a day dedicated to honoring the heart and soul of our community—our small businesses. These dreamers and doers are the lifeblood of our local economy, tirelessly providing unique offerings that make downtown Fargo vibrant and distinctive.
However, it's disheartening to see negative narratives overshadowing this celebration. Recently, The Forum chose to highlight closures rather than the resilience and achievements of our local businesses. While it’s true that not every small business survives, we must recognize the challenges of entrepreneurship and the importance of our support.
The Importance of Positivity
In times when negativity is rampant, especially in journalism, we should focus on the positives. Let’s spotlight the downtown experiences, the joy of supporting local businesses, and the incredible resilience of our community as it rebounds from the pandemic. Today, I choose to celebrate the spirit of downtown Fargo and the countless small businesses that contribute to its uniqueness.
Supporting Our Local Economy
The success of downtown Fargo not only drives tourism but also contributes to economic development, workforce retention, and an overall enhanced quality of life. If we fail to support our small businesses, we risk reverting to a stagnant community reminiscent of 20+ years ago.
Let us lift up the new downtown Fargo businesses that have opened their doors this past year:
- Lulu’s Deli
- Chalili’s Chicken & Wings
- The 1889
- Moonrise Café
- Synclaire Events Center
- Rising Dawn Ceramics
- Drawing Room Fargo
- Mooreoki
- Magnolia Soap
- Primp Boutique
- Yum Tea Bar
- Mystic Moth
- Tee’s Tacos
- Ferguson Books
- Cul-De-Sac
- Las Palmas
Many existing businesses have also expanded or relocated, showcasing the growth and vibrancy of our downtown.
A Call for Collaboration
Downtown Fargo faces challenges, including homelessness, but this should not overshadow its potential. We need to choose positivity and collaboration over negativity. Let’s spend Small Business Saturday supporting those who make Fargo special. Come downtown, shop local, and engage with the people who make our community shine. Together, we can celebrate our successes while addressing the challenges ahead.
Rocky Schneider is the executive director of the Downtown Community Partnership.
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