On this episode of the Post Podcast Hays Chamber, president and CEO Sarah Wasinger along with vice president of marketing and communications, Mariah Leglighter stop by to talk about the importance of shopping local.
Transcript:
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James Bell
Choosing to shop local can have a significant impact on the local economy. From the Hays Chamber, president and CEO Sarah Wasinger along with vice president of marketing and communications, MariahLeglighter stopped by to talk about that and more on this episode of the Post Podcast.
Sarah Wasinger
It's been a while since we've really focused our message on the radio of shop local. And I think you hit the nail on the head, there are so many big events coming up Mother's Day is just around the corner this weekend as well. Or no, sorry, three weeks from now.
James Bell
I don't know why you're looking at me, I have no idea.
Sarah Wasinger
I'm thinking about the golf tournament. And that golf tournament, Friday leads into Mother's Day weekend. So I'm already there. I'm at the time, but too much. But no. So we've got a lot of important and fun things coming up. And our business community does so much to support, whether it be our local schools, our sports teams, our arts programs, and things of that nature. And so just a good reminder to slow down. Um, instead of pushing, instead of going online and clicking a cart online, we want you to go push a cart somewhere in Hays somewhere in Ellis County, where that tax base that you're paying for your goods that you're purchasing actually goes back to reinvest into your community, our roads, our schools, our infrastructure, things that help us have good quality of life here.
James Bell
Yeah, you know, and I, there's been a couple of situations real recently with myself, where I've realized that things that I were buying online, you can find locally, and, yes, slightly more expensive, um, but it's just so like, not even enough to really make it a consideration. But I found that it you know, it feels better, because you're out there. And you, you know, when you when you lay down that $10 bill for whatever it is, it's supporting the local community.
Sarah Wasinger
While there was a statistic back in 2017. That said, for every dollar that is spent in haste, it reads circulates an average of seven times. So think about the power of $1. And how many dollars we spend on a daily basis, we have to talk a little bit too about our cost of gas right now. Right? So for people that are considering shopping out of town, because they just want to go someplace else, you have to add the cost of your gas in your time into that trip, as well. And when you look at the cost savings that you could have by just staying here in Hays, um, it really adds up very quickly.
James Bell
Yeah. And for those that are in those towns that scattered around here in Hays, I know Hayes's your your deal, but you know, think like Ellis Victoria, those little small businesses there, same kind of deal. And this was, especially in the Victoria, you were at that meeting where we heard that, you know, they really want to support the community, it's a vocal and, you know, almost tangible desire there in the community to keep that money locally.
Sarah Wasinger
Absolutely. So I think the more we reinvest in ourselves, the more we help ourselves. So I'm just thinking about those businesses again, that, you know, I was surprised, we looked everywhere in town for a couple of items for the chamber A few weeks ago. And finally, I just said, You know what, we can't find it here right now. But let's just see if they can order. So sometimes, maybe you don't actually see the item on the shelf, but give that business owner an opportunity to share with them what you're looking for nine times out of 10, they're going to be able to find something for you and probably get it in just as quick as if he would buy something from the evil word amazon online. So when I hear people talking about Amazon, I just want to beat my head against the wall, because Amazon is not investing in our schools, they're not supporting local initiatives, and making our community a special place to live work in place. So please, please, please keep that in mind as you are making your purchasing decisions this spring.
James Bell
Yeah, absolutely. You know, and I think to about, you know, in the, in the historical kind of nature of shop local, you know, at least in my head, I still think about supporting those local business owners, you know, the main street businesses and not going to those chain stores. But even when you if you have to make the decision between going to a chain box store here in Hays, and going to Amazon, the chain box stores still better in terms of supporting the community.
Sarah Wasinger
They are, you know, they, Mariah, I think you have some, you know, we've been talking a little bit about this, and the actual chamber office, you know, Walmart, I think this was two years ago, give a very wonderful donation to the ark Park. You know, it's not just the mom paws, it's everybody that comes together in our community to make a big difference. So we don't discriminate between smaller big businesses at the chamber. We support them and love them all, that they're local. And we're our job is to make sure that people keep that in mind when they purchase.
Mariah Legleiter
Absolutely. And like you said, I mean, that was something that kind of surprised me is that you can go in and if you can't find something that you're looking for, you know, just talk to the owners and usually they can get you what you're looking for just as kind of a deterrent to go to evil Amazon.
Sarah Wasinger
And we talk about it too, you know, just planning in advance. I think our society has become very good about instant gratification. And delayed gratification can be something you can do with as long as you're planning ahead. So, um, just make sure that if you're looking for birthday presents, like we talked about this wedding presents, graduation, Mother's Day, all those things you know, just put Ain't ahead and you can make sure that you're supporting your community while taking care of the people you love all at the same time.
James Bell
Absolutely, you know, and a great way to do that we've talked about this before, but the chamber checks, get that and whether or not you're using them, or giving them as a gift that ensures that that money is going to be used locally.
Sarah Wasinger
Well, if you're like me, and your mom and dad literally, like buy everything they need themselves, and don't give you the opportunity to buy them something for them, just to say thank you, um, chamber checks, do you make a great option because they can be spent at almost 500 locations, you know, across Ellis County. And, you know, that's a great way to make sure that that money is staying local chamber checks can't be used and other communities. So that's really the big benefit. They spend like cash, and they don't expire. So you can take them in at any time and go ahead and use them to purchase whatever you want. So and the nice thing is, is, you know, because they have that choice, and that flexibility, the sky is really the limit. And you know, whether they want to go out to eat at one of our wonderful restaurants, that's a chamber member, or just do some shopping or maybe get gas or groceries. They're all options.
James Bell
Very cool. You know, and I like that too. Because it's, it's one of those things, you know, when I think about gift cards, right? Gift cards are can be so handy, but also so annoying. Because if it's something that's not local, you got to think about it. Like I'm trying to think of a restaurant that is not in haste schlocky Sovran slide forgot a gift card to schlocky is it to remember to take that with me all the time. Or remember that I'm going to be stopping in schlocky wallum in Salina later this afternoon. So I should grab that gift card. But a chamber check, you choose it anywhere. Exactly. And for the experiences, I love that, you know, it's not just the shopping, it's the you know, doing things as well, you could use those for
Sarah Wasinger
Absolutely. So just a friendly reminder, chamber texts do come and 510 and $25 increments. And if folks do want to make any orders for their upcoming gifts and things of that nature, if they can just give us a call at 785-628-8201. We'll go ahead and get those orders ready for you. That way we can make sure that they're I'm ready to pick up when you come by the office. Oh, quick and easy love. Very easy. Yes. And we do also include a brochure. We tried to have our brochure be as up to date as possible. But the best way to figure out and which businesses do take chamber checks is usually by visiting our website, Hayes chamber.com. And clicking on our membership directory.
Mariah Legleiter
I just updated that shop local brochure. So it'll be updated for about three days about how long that lasts. So what's a good thing though, that
James Bell
means businesses are coming? Joining up? Yes,
Mariah Legleiter
absolutely.
James Bell
Well, guys, we want to get into this too. There is there's a lot going on. Now. There's always a lot going on down the chamber, but this week, especially Holy smokes.
Mariah Legleiter
We were just talking about that on the way here. Today. We actually today, Tuesday, April 19 at 10am. We have a ribbon cutting at my town media. They are a new member at 1105 East 30th Street Suite. See I've heard that's on the north side of the building. Tuesday, April 19. At noon, we have the H yp connection lunch at thirsties venue Wednesday, April 20 at 8:30am. We'll have the leadership Hayes group at the Welcome Center. Thursday, April 21 at 8am. We'll have the downtown dialog Friday, April 22. At 9am. We will have our regular chamber chat over the USD 489 Bond opportunity at Rockwell Administration Center 323 West 12th Street, and on Friday, April 22. At noon, we will have our monthly Ambassador luncheon at the Rose Garden banquet hall
Sarah Wasinger
and a few quick clarifications. We will have Joseph Glassman, he is the president CEO at Glassman Corporation, he will be our guest speaker for the hrrp lunch today. And the downtown dialogue event of course is sponsored by the downtown Hayes Development Corporation. And they always had that event down in the basement at breathe coffee house. So um, it's a great opportunity for us to get to sit down with the downtown business owners. And one final point of note is today is a big day. And for people who have possibly been paying attention to the USD 49 upcoming bond election today is voter registration deadline. So if you have not already verified if you're registered to vote, you can go to 489 bond.com There's a link to verify that you're registered.
James Bell
Very cool. And it's not hard to get registered, just sit down to the county chamber or the county whatever that what's the building the administration's county administration center, yes. And get yourself registered if you're not even for this election or for the next one.
Sarah Wasinger
Absolutely. And a friendly reminder to folks to that this week and next week and they can still purchase raffle tickets in our Avalon of Hayes and CO patio party tickets that are in conjunction with our golf tournaments. So always a lot going on and as always make sure that you check out his chamber.com/events for all of our upcoming them and that's what we have
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