There are those of us in the Tri-Lakes who believe in the Community Store and those of us who think, at best, that it's not worth thinking about for even a minute and, at worst, that it's the most crack-brained idea yet to come out of a bunch of idealists' heads. Those of you who already believe in it and - better yet - have already invested in it, go and read something else; I want to speak to all of you who don't and haven't.
You are absolutely right when you say that there's much more on offer in Plattsburgh (or Albany or Burlington). There are malls and big-box stores and a large variety of merchants, all competing for your dollars. That means the savings to you are greater, right? Should be. So, let's look at that.
The IRS allows anyone who travels for work to claim a deduction of 50 cents per mile. This deduction is intended to reasonably compensate you for the cost of gasoline and the wear and tear on your car. The trip from Saranac Lake to Plattsburgh is approximately 45-plus miles each way; add some additional miles for driving around the city, and that means a total of approximately 100 miles round-trip. At 50 cents per mile, that's $50 in travel cost for every trip you make to Plattsburgh. If you stayed home and shopped at your local department store just two times a year, that would save you the cost of one share in the Community Store. Everything after that is pure profit (aka savings) in your wallet.
But hey, the trip to Plattsburgh is more than just shopping for your basic necessities; it's a TRIP! It's lunch out and fries at McDonald's and maybe supper, too! In the summer, it's a round of mini-golf and maybe an ice cream cone.
We have really good - delicious! - restaurants already up and running and several more about to open here in Saranac Lake. We have a McDonald's that serves exactly the same fries they do in Plattsburgh, but our McDonald's contributes generously to local requests for sponsorship, support and charity in our neighborhood. We have great ice cream all over the place right here and mini-golf in Lake Placid. And every time you spend your money here, you're putting bread on the table of your next door neighbor, your second cousin on your spouse's side and your best friend's family.
And one more thing. Every one of our local merchants gives, gives and gives again to every single fundraiser we have. Do you have any idea how many times they get asked to give?? Just read the Enterprise and start counting how many events and suppers and galas and raffles and reasons there are for raising money for some individual, family or organization. The list is endless! And for every one of these, your local merchants, restaurants and suppliers generously give back to their community. That's what spending your dollars locally gives you generosity in return.
I'm not suggesting that you never leave home and never take a trip to Plattsburgh or Burlington or Massena or Albany; it's fun to get away now and again. What I AM saying is that if you say that you won't support the Community Store because you won't save money shopping there, you're cheating yourself. At $50 a trip, I can't save enough in Plattsburgh to make that trip worthwhile. And if I multiply that by regular trips to Plattsburgh? That's hundreds of dollars that I need to add to my shopping budget. If I shop here, I can walk, ride my bike, drive maybe a mile or so and I'll be buying goods that have been ordered and priced with me in mind. The Community Store will belong to US because we'll be the shareholders. Every business looks to please its investors; the Community Store will be no different. Their inventory and pricing will be according to what all of us want, need, ask for and can afford.
There is a place for every kind and size of store: Walmart, J.C. Penney, Target, Bling, EcoLiving, Pink, Price Chopper, Grand Union, Nori's. Don't short-change yourselves by ignoring this unique opportunity to add one more: our very own, owned by us, Community Store.
They've almost reached their goal of $500,000, so right now, this minute, is the time to invest. Then watch with pride of ownership while your store gets built. To become an owner, call Melinda Little at 891-0197 or Alan Brown at 891-3464, or go to their website: www.community-store.org.
---
Franny Preston lives in Saranac Lake.