The people across this country who have been behind counters for decades.....the ones who have opened a small shop each morning and then swept down the floors of a family icon at the end of each day.....the mom and pop owners who have greeted countless numbers of visitors and guests turned into friends and family over their decades of service.....this is the true heart and soul of our nation. Their stories are woven tightly together with the colorful experiences of our down towns, the history of our cities, and the sense of belonging I believe we all so desperately crave.
The presence of such establishments - while perhaps not always acknowledged with a sense that we must take steps to preserve what is here right now, in front of us - is mourned when suddenly, one day, they are no more. Our society cannot overlook the contributions of such individuals or take for granted their dedication and unique attributes; above all, we must remember to honor and support the businesses which have brought so much to our lives, the ones who's spirit I've attempted to share with you here.
• We, the people who operate your favorite places and local landmarks, the ones behind the counter of family establishments and hometown favorites, are more than just faces.....
• Our business name has been proudly displaced across the back of Little League t-shirts for decades; our building frequently offered for meetings and planning committees; our cell phone number often written down and given out just in case you need something in an emergency,
• We spend Saturday mornings overseeing car washes in our parking lots and bake sales in our lobbies, because the causes and needs of our civic groups and nonprofit organizations matter deeply to all of us,
• We take the flyers and announcements when you ask for permission to post in our windows, share upcoming events, missing pets and fire department dinners, because we have no "corporate policy" which would ban such things,
• We've opened up our shop upon request and after hours, because you forgot dessert and desperately need one of our famous cakes before heading off to a family gathering,
• We're the same folks you greet each week in church, the ones who despite long hours, make time to participate in teaching, coaching and mentoring your children,
• Our shop has been faithfully shipping boxes of snacks to American troops serving overseas for years, collected warm clothing during the cold months and offered warehouse space for donation drives,
• Our doors have been opened after normal business hours to participate in emergency relief efforts or to prepare meals for first responders during times of crisis,
• We care about our residents, think of them during bad weather and make the effort to call and check up on senior citizens and those who live alone,
• Occasionally we may have closed up shop an hour early and we're so sorry if that was an inconvenience to you - we felt it was important to gather at the airport and welcome a soldier home from deployment, join the prayer service at church following a local tragedy, or stand along the sidewalk to honor our heroes during the veterans Day parade,
• We've stopped off at your house on the way home to deliver a special gift you ordered but were then unable to leave work in time to pick it up and we knew how much it meant for you to have it that night,
• We celebrated the babies you brought into the store to introduce to us as infants, watched them grow into teenagers, and now years later, we're proud to provide them with their first ,"real" job,
• Our bakery takes the time to select the best, highest quality ingredients for each recipe and product, and we place a priority on seeking out local suppliers and ingredients which in turn helps other businesses to thrive,
• We are the ones who will write an IOU on a slip of paper when your child comes in for an ice cream cone on a hot day, forgetting to bring money with them,
• We cried with you when you came in and shared the sad news your father had finally passed; toasted the announcement of your daughter's wedding; met, held and admired your very first grandchild,
• Your quiet demeanor and the sadness we saw during weekly visits to business did not go unnoticed, and when the opportunity presented itself, we were thankful for the chance to just sit and listen because we knew you needed to talk and vent,
• We are thankful for the gift of a new day to rise again each morning and reopen the family business; the diner; the hardware store; the service company. Our dedication is evident in the work we do and our heart and soul is here where we live and love and grow,
It is impossible to imagine anything could compare to the passion these people in our towns and neighborhoods hold for the places they serve and make better simply by being a part of. For all of these reasons, and for countless others we've left out, we thank you for being the heart and soul of our communities and world.
Sincerely,
Andrea Baumann
Marketing Delmarva
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