Another episode of micros to the rescue

Posted on | January 13, 2009 | 2 Comments

I don’t know why but it seems like there’s something about martinis that brings out the best in Mary.

I didn’t get a chance to bring this to your attention but, like a few others (your truly included), Mary Schmidt sees opportunity and resurgence for those oft-maligned “Mom & Pop” outfits in the current recession.

Seems in some locations around the country, as big box retailers fail, flail and otherwise disappear from the local mall, space will open up and rents will fall, creating opportunity with a big O for local, small retailers.

Those same retailers that were priced right out of those malls because of the sky-high rents they were asking.

Mary writes: “All I can say is ‘about time.’ One of my pet peeves is the big developments that jack up the rent so high that the M&Ps can’t afford it. Let’s have a little diversity and help our local economy at the same time. I admit, I like Pottery Barn, but I could be anywhere USA.”

Contrary to what they seem to be thinking in Washington these days, small businesses really can save the mall. They can save various other industry sectors of the economy, too. They can do that for some very practical reasons, having to do with stuff like low overhead and a lack of stupid investments.

They can do it because, as Mary points out, they have to. They don’t have the option of departing for the next CEO gig with a shrug of the shoulders and a golden parachute. Their business is their life. Really.

And when they do save the economy, they probably won’t get any credit for that, either.

Note to Mary: These cross-blog conversations are fun, aren’t they?

Comments