Business alliance taking shape
Local 'mom and pops' consider pooling their resources

Customers meander through Maria's Bookshop midday on Monday.  In the face of stiffening chain competition, small, independent business owners in Durango are exploring two ideas, an independent business alliance and a merchants association, which would promote hometown sustainability and help them share what they have to offer with the community./Photo by Todd Newcomer

by Shawna Bethell

Anyone who has lived in a tourist town has surely been way-laid on a sidewalk or in the middle of an intersection and asked, “So where do the locals eat?” Or drink. Or hang out. The point being, many travelers are looking to experience a place – not just to drop in, take a snapshot and leave. And the thing that is appealing about Durango’s downtown business district is that there are many “locals” spots. With few exceptions this community is filled with mom and pop shops that reflect the true flavor of Durango, and this has created a fierce pride in those who live here. This feeling has been further crystallized by the recent entrance of the international coffee giant, Starbucks, on Main Avenue.

“I think what Starbucks did by opening a store here in Durango was give people the opportunity to ask themselves what they really want for their downtown,” says Max McClure, local resident, mom, and budding consumer activist. “Our downtown is unique and keeping it that way is worth fighting for. It’s not that Starbucks shouldn’t be in Durango, but is the downtown the best place for those types of businesses?”

It was this type of thinking that started a recent dialogue among Durango merchants. The emerging direction is to promote local independent businesses and share what they can offer a community. After doing some research, a group of business owners is kicking around the idea of forming a Durango branch of the American Independent Business Alliance (AMIBA).

“We are only in the research phase right now,” says Peter Schertz, owner of Maria’s Bookshop, a downtown Durango mainstay that recently celebrated 20 years in business. “And we definitely think it should remain a grassroots type of organization, but mostly what an Independent Business Alliance (IBA) can offer is collaboration or sharing of ideas among independent business owners.”

As Schertz explains, just setting up shop does not entitle a business owner to customers. There is a great deal to learn about customer service and what the community expects and needs from a shop owner. It is not unusual for local, independent booksellers to spearhead organizations like an IBA. Often they have experienced the benefits of independent bookseller’s organizations that lend many opportunities for networking, workshops, conferences and other tools that assist small businesses in success. The owners of Maria’s see that benefit as something good for other independent business merchants. Some of the national principles stated in AMIBA’s literature include: believing that hometown sustainability is, in part, achieved through interdependence between community-based independents; encouraging affiliates to support community causes and non-profits with time, money, and product or service donations; promoting impeccable product knowledge and customer service skills; and leading a community in promoting practices that reduce their impact on a place. “The chamber is certainly willing to make this possible,” says Bobby Lieb, executive director of the Durango Chamber of Commerce. “There is some concern as to how this is set up. If it comes down to an ‘us against them’ type of thing, the chamber will not be involved, but if it remains positive, the chamber will support the businesses.”

There is similar concern with another potential merchants’ association that is having dialogue as well. Jane Gould of Antiquities, another Main Avenue shop, also believes local merchants need a voice, not in competition with other businesses, but a unified voice representing similar concerns for downtown businesses, chain 4 or independent.

Chelsea Goodale prepares lunch at Stonehouse Subs during a lunch hour on Monday. Durango merchants are exploring the idea of forming an independent business alliance that would help promote locally owned businesses while offering alternatives to one-stop, homogenized shopping that many towns are falling victim to./Photo by Todd Newcomer

“There are local people who do run franchises who do a lot of good in this community, and it is important not to alienate anyone who is part of the downtown business district,” she says. “But it would be good to have some type of representation when addressing issues that directly affect downtown business owners.”

There are distinct differences between the two potential business organizations. The merchants’ association would only include retail merchants who are located in the central business district. An IBA, on the other hand, would be inclusive of the entire community and accept participation from not only retail merchants, but restaurants, builders, designers, medical centers or any independently owned business. And whereas a merchants’ organization would address issues like standardized hours of business or storefront rents, an IBA would address how businesses can learn to be responsible to their community while being successful.

“I see them as parallel” says Schertz, “and I would see that it would be beneficial for business owners to belong to both groups.”

But Schertz is also pleased that McClure is enthusiastic about being involved, saying, “She is not currently a business owner, but she wants to be involved. It is a great way for the community at large to tell IBA members exactly what they want and why they would be willing to spend their money with local business owners as opposed to a box store that may be more convenient.”

An IBA is about a community talking to its business owners and telling them what its needs are. It is about businesses responding to those needs and giving local residents alternatives to the one-stop, homogenized shopping that many towns are falling victim to. These types of cities quickly lose their identity and their character. Independent Business Alliances work to keep cities unique. “It’s about walking into a local business and seeing your neighbors,” said Andrea Avantaggio, owner/manager of Maria’s Book Shop. “It feels comfortable. You know your money is valued in an independent business. You know your smile is valued. It’s about connections.”

Both the Independent Business Alliance and the Merchants’ Association are looking for people who are interested in learning more about their organizations. To participate in the IBA, contact Peter Schertz at 769-1244, or to participate in the Merchants’ Association, contact Jane Gould at 259-9760. There will also be AMIBA information resources available at Maria’s Book Shop in the near future. •