As I’ve been out on the streets of our fair city in an attempt to sell advertising to support this site, I’ve been really surprised at just what is available in our town. Our Belle Plaine Community Development Corporation urges us to shop here first. It’s a nice slogan that you would expect from any organization charged with promoting local business. But after a rough winter when we had snow on the ground for over 90 straight days and after some of my visits with local merchants, the advice to shop here first really rings true.
Whenever I write about local businesses, I am hesitant to name any of them for fear of leaving someone out. But I am going to mention a few here and it should be no reflection on anyone not listed in the following.
I am always amazed with speaking with longtime Belle Plaine residents who remember when our downtown was a really happening place to be, with several grocery stores, bars, apparel stores, etc. Unfortunately, many of those stores have closed, but some have survived and others are beginning to discover that our town is a good place to do business.
The other day I stopped in to Drahos Shoe Store. I’ll be the first to admit that shoe stores certainly can’t rely on me to provide much business. When my socks start getting wet because of the holes in the bottom of my shoes, when the sides of my shoes begin to split, then I’ll start looking for a new pair.
I’ve always known that Drahos Shoe Store is the place to go if you need a new pair, or repair of your shoes or other leather goods or some garments. But that store is a place to discover surprises, as Don has added several lines of other goods, many produced in Iowa. It’s still a great place to go for personal service and the right fit for a good pair of shoes. But you may not expect to find premium garden seeds, greeting cards, soy candles, cutlery or hand-crafted wood furniture.
I’ve mentioned in the past that we are fortunate to have a full-service nationally-franchised hardware store. The True Value store has been here for many years and it’s always a surprise at what has been added to the inventory. Recently, the store has been adding to its furniture line, which should encourage us to at least stop and see what they have to offer if you are in the market for a new bed or couch or recliner.
Many residents have come to rely on Belle Plaine Pharmacy when they need prescription drugs. Their prices on many prescription drugs are very comparable to the distant big box stores. People from near and far shop at Belle Plaine Pharmacy for many greeting cards and gifts and collectibles. Some folks may not know that they also carry some house wares and similar items. I stopped in one day, not looking for anything in particular, and bought a set of glass mixing bowls. The name-brand bowls were priced very reasonably and I didn’t have to drive 70 miles round-trip to get them.
I probably go into Dollar General three or four times a week. Usually, it’s for one or two items I forgot to pick up on a more extensive shopping trip. Dollar General is a dangerous place for me. You go in expecting to get one thing and come out with eight or 10 items. You may not have realized you needed them when you went in, but the prices seem so low on some things, it’s a haven for impulse buyers.
As we anticipate the beginning of construction of our downtown revitalization project, some businesses are renovating available storefronts with scheduled spring openings.
I like to get out for a drive outside the city occasionally, but not when the weather is bad. I guess the one positive thing about our rough winter is that it reminded us that many of the goods and services we thought we needed to find 35 miles away are available right here.
On another local business note, we welcomed Jeanne Duffy back to the community this week as the new director of the Belle Plaine Community Development Corporation. After more than 40 years in Arizona, she says she grew tired of living in a town with 4 million folks and longed to get back closer to where she grew up.
Stop in and welcome her when you are downtown next time.